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Hi,
I have a corroded spindle in the casting which is the engine side of the tilt function. It is the steering spindle. My 1987 150 is darned tough to steer due to this corrosion.
I have a chance at a casting with the spindle included in excellent condition from a 1998 Black Max 150, will it fit?

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Spindle? Maybe you could describe the part in question more precisely.

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Perhaps you are referring to the tilt tube? Like this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercury-150-D...0723373325

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Are you sure you need a new tilt tube?

If your steering is stiff, remove the cable from the motor, clean the tube and cable well and re-grease.

To help prevent this in the future, install a steersman nut (has a grease fitting). You should add grease (does not take much) 1-2 times a year.

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It is the shaft that runs vertically just forward of the downshaft housing. The torque tube for steering. It is about 18" long and 1.75" diameter

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I think you are talking about the Swivel Pin and Steering Arm which runs through the Swivel Bracket Assembly.

Replacing those parts is a serious undertaking and involves buying a whole lot of new parts like the motor mounts and numerous bushings and washers and special fasteners.

Yes, that is the ideal way to solve the stiff steering in those vintage motors but I would not bother to even consider doing so unless you can confirm that the replacement Swivel Bracket is one of the newer Stainless Steel parts.

I own a pair of 1989 Mercury 150s that suffer exactly the same stiff steering for exactly the same reason. I am unwilling to invest the time and money that it would take to replace all those parts. I have found the tolerable solution is to grease the Swivel Pin frequently and aggressively to keep in flexible.

To do this you really need to completely disconnect the motor from the steering system so you can swing the motor back and forth by hand while you pump grease into the grease nipple and try to get it to come out both top and bottom.

It is easy to get the grease to come out the bottom, but the top is really tough. The only thing that really helps is heat, though I also use some Aero-Kroil to help loosen the rust and grease in there.

Oh, and if you are dealing with used parts from CL Marine in Des Moines, caveat emptor.

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Will it fit? This is what I need to know. I understand enough of the issues with this repair and I intend to push on.
This is a private party and an excellent price. The pin is in excellent shape, and is still installed in the casting.

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It will fit if it is the same part number. The exploded parts diagrams are available online at Mercury Marine if you do not have the parts catalog yourself.

Just be sure it's the stainless steel version.

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Thanks
I am leaving in about 5 minutes for the hour drive for a look, thru Seattle traffic.
I hope it is stainless, however if it will work, I am pretty much unable to pass it by. My pin is deeply rusted, no paint exists and it is looks like it has lost mass in the fwd section of the steering arm. I can't trust it for Ocean trips. To much at risk to leave the old pin in place. Plus docking is a task that could cause rub rail replacements if I don't do something, beyond greasing. Been there, done that. Very little improvement and hours of trying.
Thanks again

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UPDATE;
The bracket is in great condition and the pin is steel (frown) however it is still in new condition. No rust, completely painted.
Phil, thanks for the grease advise, that would have done a lot to save the existing one, so much earlier.
Tom, I really would have liked the stainless shaft, although this is a fine unit for $100 dollars, quite a savings from new. The installation will be done by yours truly, with some special planning it looks like an easy enough task. New Hardware is essential, as are new mounts. Thanks for all the advise. I believe it will fit perfectly and give me many years of service.