Those 18 HP and the 25 HP were produced to 1976.----Sweet running motors.----I would never get rid of a good one in favour of a modern " built with plastic " offshore motor.
Jbyers----Must be busy doing all the checks or reading how to operate an older motor.----A compression test should be done before spending any beer tokens on it.----And it needs a new impeller before launching the boat.
A 15 " transom is for short shaft motors.---Your 1960 Fastwin would have a 5" spacer if it was a long shaft.-----A 16" transom is also considered short by many builders.-----Order a shortshaft ( 15" ) motor from Tohatsu
Agreed-----Most folks just do not know how boats are built.------The parts folks see in the show room are fiberglass.------Then there is foam core / balsa core / cheap plywood , for transom and stringers.----Have even seen chip board ( beaver puke ) used for stringers.----The project I am doing...
Have to start somewhere and this is what I would do---Check for water in fuel tank.-----Check gear oil.-----Use timing light to see if you can pinpoint ignition issues on one of the leads.
Plug fouling ??----Maybe there is something else going on.-----Plugs are well engineered / specified for a motor.------Plugs rarely fouls on modern engines.-----Only the operator who THINKS that plugs are fouled.
