[Fr. Frank]

I agree they're great engines. Yes, WFO means Wide Freaking Open

My service reccomendations are from years in Marina Management, and managing marina service departments. I also believe that the worst abuse you can give an outboard motor is not running it.

I have run a '75 25' Mako' commercial lobster boat with twin '76 Chrysler 105's over 60 hours a week for 7 months with never a hiccup.

I have run twin '82 Johnson 70's on a '79 19' Robalo towboat
which consistantly began to lose water pressure on both motors after just 50-60 hours of use on a new impeller, even with aftermarket impellers.

I have owned a large number of Mercury outboards over the past 40 years, and their service life seemed to be 10-12 months until the past decade or so. Nonetheless, I change my impellers and oil faithfully.

I have never had a waterpump failure but once, and that was a spun hub on a an impeller on a week-old '83 235 Evinrude.

Moral of the story: It's like doing regular maintenance on your car.