1986 Sears Gamefisher 5.0--Motor ok? Fair Price?

[deerhuntre]

I'm looking at an '86 Gamefisher 5 hp that was purchased new in 1986 and used three times, then ran dry and stored until now. Using fresh gas, it started right up on the second pull yesterday. The motor is very clean (after dusting it off), and looks nearly brand new. I would use it as a trolling kicker for my 19' Sea Nymph. The seller is looking for $250 for this motor.

Is this a decent motor for the price? Is the price fair for both buyer and seller? Is a motor like this ok?

Thanks everyone for your thoughts!!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1986 Sears Gamefisher 5.0--Motor ok? Fair Price?

That's an Eska based outboard, with a Tecumseh power head. The price is up to you. It's on the high end for that outboard, but, as you say, it hasn't had much use.

You might want to replace the water pump impeller, which cools the exhaust on that motor, though, after those idle years.

Most parts are available, still, from Sears, including the impeller. Get the model number off the engine and enter it at:

www3.sears.com

in this format 217.nnnnn. Replace the dash with a period. That will take you to exploded-view parts diagrams and parts lists.

Sears doesn't have all parts, but they'll have the impeller. For difficult to get parts, you can go to certifiedpartscorp.com. They don't list all the parts on their site. You have to call them, but they have most all parts for Eska-based outboards.

Those outboards are a bit noisy. They vibrate, too, but they do run and will shove your boat along. They're not nice and quiet and smooth, though, like a Johnson or Evinrude of the same horsepower.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 1986 Sears Gamefisher 5.0--Motor ok? Fair Price?

Difficult to be sure without a model number but::
The motor is a bit of an odd ball.Probably Built by Eska,uses a Tecumseh air cooled power head and a water cooled exhaust leg.Kind of loud,vibrates pretty good.Parts are available but require a little extra effort.Sears may have some.Some powerhead parts may be available at a small engine shop
and Eska in general at Certified parts corp.With age they can be finicky.
$250 for a vertually new motor sounds good but I wonder if it was $250 when it was new??If it was me I would put my money toward a nice little Evinrude or Johnson 5,5.5,6,7.5 or 8 hp.Some of the 6,7.5 and 8 hp are about the same weight.

 

[deerhuntre]

Re: 1986 Sears Gamefisher 5.0--Motor ok? Fair Price?

I checked the model number at www3.sears.com and they do list parts for the motor. They list the impeller for $20, and a waterpump kit for $60. Can I just replace the impeller, or would I need the kit?

The seller is a friend I've known through work for 8 or 9 years and is someone I trust. He purchased the motor for $750 or so to use when he went to cabins up north with his family since they always had a rowboat with the cabin. He ended up usually getting a boat that had a motor already, which is why this one never saw use.

Thank you everyone for the feedback!!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1986 Sears Gamefisher 5.0--Motor ok? Fair Price?

Given the small amount of use on that outboard, I'm 99% certain that replacing the impeller will be quite sufficient.

The kit includes the housing for the water pump, which would not have been damaged in so little use.

Save the money.

 

[deerhuntre]

Re: 1986 Sears Gamefisher 5.0--Motor ok? Fair Price?

Sounds good! Thanks everyone!