Originally Posted by
inveratta
yes I had a 485 merc (which was a frankenstein motor design....a ford head...merc block etc etc) ....never had much faith in the motor despite a total rebuild.....sure enough the camshaft seals were incorrectly installed and the conrods were put back the wrong way ..all by a professional engine shop. ...the exhaust flapper valve never seemed to last long and there was a lot of small issues that just take time to resolve...and then with an outboard no worrying about the large hole in stern with a perishable rubber seal holding the sea out...or the carburettor in the hull..
Last three years ..1 reasonably priced annual service and no downtime at all...for me no contest...