Merc XR2 thoughts opinions?

McGillicuddy · #1 10-04-2009, 05:08 PM

Looking at a late '80s Merc 150 xr2 25" for under $1800.
Any thoughts on this motor for my '72 Seafari. They are a little heavy at 378 lbs or so but I think it may be more economical to run than my 115 I-6. Any thoughts on this, Bigshrimpin? Fr. Frank? merc gurus? What block does it use and what might I get for fuel economy assuming the motor is clean? I'm currently cruising 25mph @ 3700-4000 rpm getting 2.5 mpg with a 13-3/4x 15 aluminum black max prop. Really poor economy at trolling speeds (maybe 1.3mpg) Somedays we're getting YFT and BFT within 15 miles of the beach but more often we're running at least 40 mi. each way. Sure would be nice to increase my range.

Fr. Frank · #2 10-04-2009, 10:44 PM

The XR2 is a 2.0 liter block. I really like it as it can be tuned to run up to about 200 hp fairly easily. A good motor.

Are you sure about the 378 lbs? I'm pretty sure I have a jpg of an old chart that lists an European/Aussie/Caribbean market 1996 XR2 carb 2.0L V6 at only 355 lbs and either 150, 175, or 200 hp. I assumed that was true for other market motors as well.

McGillicuddy · #3 10-05-2009, 11:27 PM

Thanks Fr. Frank. the lighter the better - I was going by NADA list for an '86. I couldn't find an XR2 listing for '90 which is what the guy says it is. What is a decent price?

What kind of performance and economy might I expect. I think BigShrimpin once mentioned that the 2.0L was ideal for the Seafari... You out there Big?

You were dead-on on my 115 I-6, Fr. Frank. Put on the Al Black Max 15p and nailed the 5500 RPM at WOT, 36 mph GPS and a satisfying hole-shot and decent cruise just as you suggested. Even took off the SE foil.

2.5mpg is fine, I guess, but I really want more economy and can't spring for a modern motor right now. Think I can squeeze another mpg out of the 150 XR2? Seems a while back BigShrimpin suggested a 4mpg cruise might be doable with this motor...

eggsuckindog · #4 10-06-2009, 02:28 PM

My 200 EFI at cruise of 3400/3600 gets about 2 to 2.5 I think, at trolling idle doesn't seem to use anything

Fr. Frank · #5 10-06-2009, 10:21 PM

I ran an '91 2.0 liter XR2 behind my Seafari for 5 years. The caveat is that my XR2 was remanufactured, ported and balanced and produced over 190 hp on the hydro-dyno. I got rid of the original small bullet gearcase, and ran one off a 225 Merc with a 1.65 gear ratio, nose cone and low-water pickup. No jack plate, just mounted with the cavitation plate about 2 1/2 inches above the keel, with a hydro-shield on the skeg. Max rpm was 6150 turning a PowerTech custom designed and made 15.25"x16.5" 3-blade prop.

My best fuel economy with that motor was a trip up the bayside in the Intracoastal Waterway from Garrison Bight in Key West to Vaca Cut in east Marathon, about 58 miles overall, where I ran about 4200 rpms (34-35 mph) the whole way and got about 3.7 mpg.

The value of the motor is dependent on whether it's a salt or fresh water motor, how clean it is, whether it has maintenance records, etcetera. Ball park here would be $1200-1500 for a really clean one. There's an '89 XR for sale right next door to me for $800, but it needs refreshing as it was a commercial fisherman's motor and compression is only 110-120 lbs on all six

McGillicuddy · #6 10-07-2009, 12:12 AM

Thanks guys.
Fr Frank., 3.7 mpg is impressive, and I'm going to guess you built it for speed rather than economy.

Haven't seen too many XR2 around here at least not for sale. Is the 150 black max the same motor?

What should the compression range be?

Also is there a difference between the blue decals and the red? I had once heard that one was aimed at salt water and the other fresh water not sure which is which can you shed any light on that and if there is any mechanical or material difference?

ESD, Are you running the 200 on the MA? Are you pushing close to 60 mph on that?

Take it easy...

Fr. Frank · #7 10-07-2009, 02:37 AM

Quote:

...I'm going to guess you built it for speed rather than economy.

It was actually nearly completed in being remanufactured when I got it. The best I ever got out of it was 6150 rpms at 46 knots on the GPS. (53 mph) At that speed/rpm and trim I was throwing up a 15' high rooster tail. Behind a Seafari, no less. Kind of funny if you think about it.

I bartered my work creating Mercury dealer's wireless computer network in return for the motor, for which they had been asking $5K. Previous to that, I had a Chrysler 120 on the back. No kidding.

Quote:

...Is the 150 black max the same motor?

I don't think so. The Mariner Magnum of the same year is the same motor as the XR2/XR4/XR6/XRi. I think Black Max is just a marketing designation for all V6 Mercury outboards from the late 70's onward.

Quote:

What should the compression range be?

My book calls for 125 to 140 lbs for the XR2 2.0L models. You also want all six cylinders to be within 10 lbs.

Quote:

Also is there a difference between the blue decals and the red? I had once heard that one was aimed at salt water and the other fresh water not sure which is which can you shed any light on that and if there is any mechanical or material difference?

I honestly don't know.

McGillicuddy · #8 10-08-2009, 12:59 AM

Thanks again Fr Frank. Another question,
I was looking on Screamansfly for price comparisons and the things that stuck out about these motors was a.) their "bullet-proof" make up and b.) that they really generate their power in the upper end of their rpm band. Although I suppose this holds true for most 2-strokes.

Does the latter imply that they xr2s don't run well at lower speeds, or can they run effectively @ 3500 rpm and less? At idle or trolling?

Truth is with our big broad swells rarely would I have the opportunity or desire to run 35-45 mph offshore.