Need advice on. Mercury Black max motor

[559bigbass]

Found this boat with a mercury Black max 200, owner said steering cable is locked up and cant drive but motor still starts up and in good condition, how do I know or tell if motor still runs good without test driving it?

[waterfoul]

Find a good ramp where you can back it in and put it in gear while on the trailer??? Still can't run it up to speed but at least you'll know it shifts well (they all pretty much shift on the hose... no water resistance against the prop).

[JOE54]

have it checked by reputable tech/ could use a low pitch prop on ramp also for shifting and acceration check

[leonreno]

Also double check why steering is locked up, if it's in the motor, may require removing head or motor to fix, which can be costly. Just because he says it the cable, could be something else.

[559bigbass]

Also double check why steering is locked up, if it's in the motor, may require removing head or motor to fix, which can be costly. Just because he says it the cable, could be something else.

How can I tell if it's lock up in the motor?

[leonreno]

Disconnect steering cable and see if motor will turn by pushing on it. If steering tube or pivot is broken it can be expensive to repair. A more experience person here may have some better advice to help you.

[559bigbass]

Disconnect steering cable and see if motor will turn by pushing on it. If steering tube or pivot is broken it can be expensive to repair. A more experience person here may have some better advice to help you.

The owner said that it's possibly siezed at the rod that's inside the tilt tube
I'm thinking of buying the boat and motor to use the motor onto my boat, I have hydraulic steering on my boat and I'm planning to use the hydraulic steering when I swap the motor, does this eliminate me having to fix the siezed steering on the boat I'm going to buy or do I still have to get it unsiezed first before I can put that motor onto my boat?

[JOE54]

yes/loosen the nut on tilt tube for steering take link rod off tap on end off cable rod for some clearance and cut it off then drive it out with long punch or rod of some sort might want lube it so it slides out better there is tube bush made for cleaning inside of tilt tube also hope this helps JOE

[559bigbass]

yes/loosen the nut on tilt tube for steering take link rod off tap on end off cable rod for some clearance and cut it off then drive it out with long punch or rod of some sort might want lube it so it slides out better there is tube bush made for cleaning inside of tilt tube also hope this helps JOE

Joe so I will have to get the rod that is siezed out of the tilt tube so I can use my hydraulic steering stuff on that motor right?

[JOE54]

yes sir