'54 evinrude 15hp - worth buying for $300?

[chuckm51]

I need some quick advice on an imminent purchase:

I am looking hard at a '54 evinrude super fastwin 15 hp. It is for sale locally. Seller claims it ran great when put away 15 yrs ago. Includes hose and tank, which I believe are pressurized, if the info I have seen is correct. Long shaft.
The motor looks almost new; paint is good, lettering for starting instructions on cowl is clear. Was obviously stored indoors. He says it belonged to his wife's grandfather.

In an article on old motors, called a primer on old motors, he writes that that era omc motors were the subject of a lot of experimentation, and as a result parts can be iffy at best.

I have resurrected 2 old 5hps lately. But they are too small for my 14' aluminum 1950 lone star fishing boat, which is solid as a ww2 bomber. All riveted, no leaks. So the 15 hp would really get me going. I will prolly sell one or both of the 5hps to finance this new project.
Assuming compression is good and it turns over ok, Is it worth the gamble?
Thanks!
I may pull the trigger on this sunday.

 

[F_R]

Re: '54 evinrude 15hp - worth buying for $300?

It is NOT long shaft. I don't know, is it worth $300 to you? Then that's its value. But to me, in unknown condition, it would be worth $100. Maybe $150.

Expect to put at least another $100 in it to get it water ready. If you do the work yourself.

 

[Philip_G]

Re: '54 evinrude 15hp - worth buying for $300?

It is NOT long shaft.

nope.

 

[1stgenbird]

Re: '54 evinrude 15hp - worth buying for $300?

I have been looking at older motors lately, 1955 - 1961 in the 18 - 25 hp range and have seen some of the prices asked for some poor condition motors both mechanically and cosmetically. This one seems to be in very good cosmetic condition which to me is an indication of its overall condition.
If it has good compression and possibly updated coils, I would think it would be $300 at the top range. I would offer $200 and possibly go to $250 if the electronics aren't updated. However, if its worth it to you to pay $300, then go for it.
If you plan to use it, you will certainly get some positive comments on something that old that looks so good.
A 1954 is the oldest year that I personally would buy just for reliability.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: '54 evinrude 15hp - worth buying for $300?

Here's my opinion:

1st The motor looks in SUPER nice original condition, and the tank looks gorgeous,too. If it's all original, I'd think it could well be worth the $300.

2nd That motor is fairly torquey for a 15hp motor (I have no idea why), but is pretty darned loud as well, since it doesn't have a sealed cowl. So keep in mind, it's not nearly as quiet as a newer motor.

3rd. As everyone has said, it will cost you anywhere between 100- 250 bucks to get running. Once it's running, THEN you find out if the clutch dog will hold gear. It's a crapshoot from what I've seen. However, the condition of the motor looks like it's been well taken care of, and used very little-----IF IF IF it's all original and unrestored.

It's all up to YOU. Personally, that will be a very reliable 15hp motor if you fix it right and I think it's worth it if I needed a motor. Compare that to the price of a new one and see what you think about a measly $300 bucks!
Good luck,
JBJ

 

[samo_ott]

Re: '54 evinrude 15hp - worth buying for $300?

I like the 15's. I have a '56 Johnson 15hp on my boat now. Used it today. But I would not pay that much. An engine that has sat for a long time will need fixing. To me it's only worth $300 or so once it was up and running, not in unknown condition.

 

[lindy46]

Re: '54 evinrude 15hp - worth buying for $300?

$150-200 would be a good offer. I just bought the same motor without the tank (and not in as good cosmetic condition) in unknown condition, for $40. Figured it was worth that in parts. As it turns out, it needs a head gasket, coils, points, etc. A new impeller and a carb kit. It'll cost me about $150 in parts to get it back in shape, so for $200, I'll have a decent motor (sans tank).

 

[Philip_G]

Re: '54 evinrude 15hp - worth buying for $300?

Here's my opinion:

but is pretty darned loud as well, since it doesn't have a sealed cowl. So keep in mind, it's not nearly as quiet as a newer motor.

I have a 55 and don't find it to be too loud at all really. I do hate the cowling though.

 

[chuckm51]

Re: '54 evinrude 15hp - worth buying for $300?

Thanks for all the replies!
Noise-wise, I rehabbed an '84 Eska 5hp that is really loud and shaky (1 cyl), and a '63 5hp sea king 2 cyl that is so quiet I can use my cell phone while running full throttle, so noise is an issue to some extent.
Sorry about the long shaft...looks long compared to my 5hp.
While $300 is measly compared to a new 15hp, it's still alot for me. The wife has been pretty tolerent so far, but if I drop 200-300 on the motor and it is just good for lawn art, my boating days will be over for awhile.
Hmmm...

 

[chuckm51]

Re: '54 evinrude 15hp - worth buying for $300?

And, Am I correct this would be a pressurized tank era motor?

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: '54 evinrude 15hp - worth buying for $300?

Yes, requires 2-line pressurized tank unless it was converted to fuel pump.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: '54 evinrude 15hp - worth buying for $300?

Not running, 125 to $150 absolute MAX. All kinds of surprises await with a non-runner (translation: lot's of money).

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: '54 evinrude 15hp - worth buying for $300?

If the guy is willing to let you do a compression test on it and check the coils out, then I think it may be worth the money. If the coils are in good condition and the insulation isn't cracked, then you would be that much further ahead. If you can get even compression on both cylinders, then that's a good sign that the pistons and cylinders are in good condition. Spray the cylinders down with WD-40 to get the rings working good. Check the lower unit oil and make sure no water has gotten into the oil. If everything checks out good, you'll likely only need to replace the impeller, then it would be worth $300 to me. It does look really nice and looks like it still has many good years of service left in it. The value is best determined on how much the guy is willing to let you check it out and everything checks out good.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: '54 evinrude 15hp - worth buying for $300?

Thanks for all the replies!
Noise-wise, I rehabbed an '84 Eska 5hp that is really loud and shaky (1 cyl), and a '63 5hp sea king 2 cyl that is so quiet I can use my cell phone while running full throttle, so noise is an issue to some extent.
Sorry about the long shaft...looks long compared to my 5hp.
While $300 is measly compared to a new 15hp, it's still alot for me. The wife has been pretty tolerent so far, but if I drop 200-300 on the motor and it is just good for lawn art, my boating days will be over for awhile.
Hmmm...

You may want to try an antique outboard club meet if seeking a 50's motor (edit: they also have a classified ad section). This is what I typically find while searching CL. Oh, yea, the same old story how it ran many moons ago...

 

[primitive]

Re: '54 evinrude 15hp - worth buying for $300?

The boat I got last year, the 60 merc. had very good compresion, 130 - 140. Couple days later the mech calls again says, the block was leaking water in. Compression may not be a gaurantee.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: '54 evinrude 15hp - worth buying for $300?

I have a 55 and don't find it to be too loud at all really. I do hate the cowling though.

'55 was the first year of the sealed cowl motors and are pretty quiet to me. I just ran my '56 10hp for a couple of miles today, and find it to be quite comparable in noise to a modern motor. Definitely not as quiet, but not bothersome at all. I really like the 10hp, 15hp, and 18hp motors from the 50's. I have a '54 15hp but would rather drive the '56 fastwin 15 I have, which is much quieter, and and has less tiller handle vibration since it has the rubber engine mounts. I forgot to mention to the OP that there is no vibration dampening on the '54 or '53 fastwin 15, which is another reason it is not my favorite 15hp 50s outboard. Still, it's not a huge problem.
I think that is a $200 motor, in my opinion, due to condition. Most of the guys, including myself, wouldn't want to pay that because they already have several motors and don't NEED another one. BUt to the person needing a good used motor, I think getting one like the one you're interested in because even when finished fixing it up, you'll likely only have about $400 bucks in it, and have a good reliable engine. You likely couldn't find a used 15hp motor from the 80s or newer for less than 6-800 dollars in running condition, and parts are MUCH higher, even used, for those later motors. I've bought lots of used motors, and the used outboard that doesn't need work AND parts is a real rarity.
Last of all, since nobody but me thinks it's worth much, I think the condition it's in makes it worth a little more because it has the potential of being a real jewel.
As as someone else said, if you could inspect compression, and feel for connecting rod slop, and check the coils for cracks and lower unit for water, it would probably tell you if it were a good or bad motor and be less of a risk.
Then again, I sold a '55 7.5 with all new coils, resealed lower unit, new pull cord, etc. with a fuel pump conversion for $400, and thought the guy got a super deal. After keeping it for a few days, he did too.
A good 50's 15hp motor should be worth about $2000, in my opinion. They're just too nice of a motor to let go any cheaper.
The truth is, even once you get it running good, it would be hard to get more than $400 for it.
O.k., I'm finally done,:redface:
JBJ

 

[Philip_G]

Re: '54 evinrude 15hp - worth buying for $300?

'55 was the first year of the sealed cowl motors and are pretty quiet to me.
JBJ

how are they sealed differently? I haven't seen a '54
all the 55 has is a rubber gasket around the base of the cowl, no insulation.

What I hate about these motors is to pull the cowl completely off you really have to remove the shift lever. The paint on mine is gone where people have tried to get it around the lever and onto the lip that it seats on.

They really are nice running motors, mine sat for 20 years and ran great with a new impeller and some tune up work.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: '54 evinrude 15hp - worth buying for $300?

There is no bottom pan on the '54. So no seal for the bottom the cowl at all. Makes it pretty noisy. If I get a chance, I'll post some pics. No rubber mounts either.
Later,
JBJ

 

[Philip_G]

Re: '54 evinrude 15hp - worth buying for $300?

There is no bottom pan on the '54. So no seal for the bottom the cowl at all. Makes it pretty noisy. If I get a chance, I'll post some pics. No rubber mounts either.
Later,
JBJ

interesting, thanks

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: '54 evinrude 15hp - worth buying for $300?

Sealed cowl or not, won't have much bearing on the reliability. It's all in how much silence you want, while you run your boat and talk on your cell phone, as stated earlier in this post.