Looking at 280

[brund]

Going next week to look at a 2004 280 merc.motor has about 10 hours on rebuild.checked and honed buy ruck. what things should i be looking for.motor still on boat and will be able to test drive. what compression should a fresh rebuild have. any help appreciated.

 

[2003225X]

A fresh rebuilt 280 should yield 150-152lbs per cylinder.

Do you know who did the rebuild on the powerhead?

 

[brund]

local merc tech with some jay smith advice.

 

[2003225X]

That year already had top pin pistons in it from Mercury. I would think it would be good to go. If it only has 10 hours run time on it, that isn't much at all.

 

[suicidealli]

Compression will vary with elevation. The last 2 I built had 138-143 at my elevation. At sea level close to 160 lbs. See what all they replaced???????
Make sure they used the TIN rings, not the cheaper chrome rings...

Roy

 

[brund]

He used titanium rings. Are they any good?

 

[michael j giesler]

what kind of a boat are you putting it on comp should be between 145-155 if you can leakdown test it if it's the motor i'm thinking about it was done in early summer iif you need help let me know my dad will be up at lake petenwell for a couple of weeks

 

[suicidealli]

Those are the correct rings..

 

[racerx]

Make sure Jay didnt talk him into sending his factory mercury top pin pistons to be repined from Marles,its been done before and didnt last but 20min runnin time...

 

[brund]

I have a 1995 xb 2003 with a 17 year old 225 promax.

 

[brund]

Thanks for the offer michael i may take you up on that. still working on set up and seat time. i have a lot to learn but that is half the fun. the motor is the one over by appleton.

 

[JaySmithRacing]

If I owned a recreational boat I would own a 280 , hands down..

Jay

 

[JaySmithRacing]

Most 280's I build ( I am building 4 NOW ) with fresh plating and new rings will yield at sea level from 155-162 cranking with hot battery, ALL that I build yields that some a 165.....

Jay

 

[michael j giesler]

that combo will run all day between 90-100 mph cruise it at 55-75 and boat all day on petenwell or castle rock on 20 gallons if you need anything just pm me

 

[JaySmithRacing]

You going to Jasper Michael ? If so come see me..

Jay

 

[silverbullet02]

Hey Jay, you're gonna be at Jasper? I'll have to come see ya!

 

[JaySmithRacing]

Come on by , I will be with Scott Jordan's outlaw boat ( White Allison ) wrapped Ford Truck

Jay

 

[2003225X]

Make sure Jay didnt talk him into sending his factory mercury top pin pistons to be repined from Marles,its been done before and didnt last but 20min runnin time...

What is he doing to them that they aren't lasting? I have seen this before on different boards and was just wondering.

 

[racerx]

Well the deal is they take brand new factory top pin mercury pistons and send them out to put the Marles pins in saying his pins are harder,thiis was done to a motor i had bought from the allisons administrater,and he told me after he was talked into this the pin came outa the piston after a 20min boat ride,not good...

 

[2003225X]

Wow...

I don't think that would make anyone happy! Unfortunately, I have heard people say that when doing what he does they have never had a failure. That sure doesn't seem to be the case.

I remember reading posts from Lou Jones when he had a 280 done before it was ever started from brand new... and he had major issues with it. Hopefully they get that issue worked out. I wouldn't want to be the person spending that kind of money and getting 20 minutes out of it!