1960 Elgin 7.5 - can I get a prop??

[learningasIgo]

I am considering buying a 1960 Elgin 7.5 motor that does not have a prop. Anyone have an on-line vendor that I could find one through? Is there another motor manufacturer of the time that would be interchangeable with this that might be easier to locate?

 

[F_R]

Re: 1960 Elgin 7.5 - can I get a prop??

Is that the little short Scott/McCulloch 7.5hp?? Parts are wherever you can find them. Not easy.

You didn't ask for advice, but I'm going to say it anyway--unless you have a particular love or passion for that motor, run--don't walk--away from it.

 

[learningasIgo]

Re: 1960 Elgin 7.5 - can I get a prop??

Is that the little short Scott/McCulloch 7.5hp?? Parts are wherever you can find them. Not easy.

You didn't ask for advice, but I'm going to say it anyway--unless you have a particular love or passion for that motor, run--don't walk--away from it.

Dare I ask why? Mind you, I know nothing about these motors and it is with a 1958 Johnson 15 hp - the reason I am interested. The price is $150, but I don't know if it is for both or an "each" price.

Also have option to buy a (owner thinks its 1980ish) 7 hp Chrysler that is missing the shear pin and the little rubber piece that covers the prop nut for $75 dollars. What's your thoughts?

 

[learningasIgo]

Re: 1960 Elgin 7.5 - can I get a prop??

Bumping up to get a look from someone who knows about these motors.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1960 Elgin 7.5 - can I get a prop??

Those little McCullochs are virtually impossible to work on, especially the 1960 version. You have to start at the flywheel nut and work your way down for just about anything you you want to do to it. Not to even mention the rarity of parts. The plastic hood is almost always broken and replacements are rare and they cannot be fixed. The first one that came into our shop had a stuck gearshift due to sand getting into the unsealed cam plunger in the lower unit. I had to totally disassemble it to get to the problem, then couldn't guarantee the fix because there was no way to keep sand out of it. I took a picture of the pile of disassembled parts and hung it on the shop wall as a warning to anybody else that had ideas about having their motor repaired.

If he wants $150 for it, that totally blows my mind. I might give $1.50 if I thought I could sell something off it.

Johnson didn't make a 15hp in 1958. Beware of that guy.

Chryslers aren't too bad, but parts can be a problem. The recoil starter pinion is extremely rare if you need one.

 

[learningasIgo]

Re: 1960 Elgin 7.5 - can I get a prop??

Good to know. Thanks for the info. I'll see what's up on the "1958" 15 hp and let you all know.

Would you buy the Chrysler for $75 knowing what it's missing and that it has been sitting for about 3-4 years but not locked up?

I attached a picture of the pair of Chryslers. The 9.9 already sold.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1960 Elgin 7.5 - can I get a prop??

While I've probably worked on a few of that style Chrysler, it is so long ago that I don't remember much about them. I suppose that is a good thing, because if they had been a POS I would remember.

If it doesn't show any signs of abuse or overheating (discolored paint on the head), it probably is an ok deal, if both you and the seller agree on the price. Like any other motor, if you are buying it non-running and untested you are taking a chance. You should allow for that, and be prepared to do some repairs. You win some and you lose some. Or you could go out and buy a $1000 new motor.

 

[learningasIgo]

Re: 1960 Elgin 7.5 - can I get a prop??

While I've probably worked on a few of that style Chrysler, it is so long ago that I don't remember much about them. I suppose that is a good thing, because if they had been a POS I would remember.

If it doesn't show any signs of abuse or overheating (discolored paint on the head), it probably is an ok deal, if both you and the seller agree on the price. Like any other motor, if you are buying it non-running and untested you are taking a chance. You should allow for that, and be prepared to do some repairs. You win some and you lose some. Or you could go out and buy a $1000 new motor.

Thanks. I appreciate your honesty. Not so much looking for a motor as I am really enjoying learning about these older motors and want like playing with them. I really like the nostalgia of getting a motor that's 50 years old humming again and back in the water - even if it's just for a test run and then to sell it.

Talked to the gentleman about the "1958" 15 hp Johnson. It's actually someone I know fairly well (but didn't know he had the motors). He said he "thought it was a '58, but that he was sure that the housing said 15 on it. I am going to look at it on Friday.

Let's assume this motor is in decent condition cosmetically, isn't locked up, and has good compression test.......knowing that it also comes with the 7.5 hp Elgin (without a prop) as well......is it worth $150 and could I expect to be able to sell it and at least get my money back (including parts)? I want to have the fun of restoring (or at least get them running) these old motors, but the wife won't have 30 motors hanging around the garage "just cause I like them", and she sure won't have me tying a bunch of money in them. I have to be able to sell them within a reasonable time and at least break even if not make a profit. As someone else said it SWMBO (she who must be obeyed) says my hobby cannot be all loss all the time. And she didn't find it amusing when I told her that it wasn't loss if someone gained a running motor and the motor got an extension on life!!!

 

[mrcrabs]

Re: 1960 Elgin 7.5 - can I get a prop??

SWMBO (she who must be obeyed) says my hobby cannot be all loss all the time

time for a new wife

 

[F_R]

Re: 1960 Elgin 7.5 - can I get a prop??

Don't even dare to expect to make a profit on fixing up old motors. I suppose it can happen in some cases, but the norm is to sell it for less than you have in it. The "profit" is the enjoyment of a hobby. I have several old motors out in my shop that I have mechanically restored and I would be happy to break even on any of them. And I haven't even invested in paint and decals.

That 15 is probably a 1956. Unless they have already been replaced it needs new coils. And a water pump. If they have been replaced, there you go---the guy selling it may be selling it at a loss. Depends on what he paid for it.

 

[learningasIgo]

Re: 1960 Elgin 7.5 - can I get a prop??

Don't even dare to expect to make a profit on fixing up old motors. I suppose it can happen in some cases, but the norm is to sell it for less than you have in it. The "profit" is the enjoyment of a hobby. I have several old motors out in my shop that I have mechanically restored and I would be happy to break even on any of them. And I haven't even invested in paint and decals.

That 15 is probably a 1956. Unless they have already been replaced it needs new coils. And a water pump. If they have been replaced, there you go---the guy selling it may be selling it at a loss. Depends on what he paid for it.

Certainly don't want to make a profit on every motor I touch, but would like to be able to be close to breaking even on average. If I'm losing $100 a motor, SWMBO will not be happy......and you know what they say: "Happy wife, happy life." LOL

 

[learningasIgo]

Re: 1960 Elgin 7.5 - can I get a prop??

Don't even dare to expect to make a profit on fixing up old motors. I suppose it can happen in some cases, but the norm is to sell it for less than you have in it. The "profit" is the enjoyment of a hobby. I have several old motors out in my shop that I have mechanically restored and I would be happy to break even on any of them. And I haven't even invested in paint and decals.

That 15 is probably a 1956. Unless they have already been replaced it needs new coils. And a water pump. If they have been replaced, there you go---the guy selling it may be selling it at a loss. Depends on what he paid for it.

I'm actually thinking that the 15 is a 1953 and the three looked like an eight to him. Doubt if anything has been done to it. He said he hasn't ran it in 4 or 5 years. I figure if I can pick it up cheap enough, it will be a neat little motor to have. How many of those '53-'56 15hp Johnsons do you all still see around? Aren't they a little rare?

Never did get too clear of an answer about the 7.5 hp Elgin and finding a prop for it. Are there any other makes that would possibly be interchangeable. That 7.5, while I understand isn't the greatest motor in the world, would be pretty good for pushing that 14 foot john boat up the river if it runs.

 

[learningasIgo]

Re: 1960 Elgin 7.5 - can I get a prop??

Bump. Still wondering about the prop for this.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1960 Elgin 7.5 - can I get a prop??

Johnson only made a 15 in 1956. It became an 18 in 1957. Then they made a completely different 15 starting in 1974. Evinrude made 15hp motors 1953-56

That Elgin was built by McCulloch. Only McCulloch and Elgins use that prop. Unless McC also made them for some other mail-order company. I hope not.

 

[learningasIgo]

Re: 1960 Elgin 7.5 - can I get a prop??

Johnson only made a 15 in 1956. It became an 18 in 1957. Then they made a completely different 15 starting in 1974. Evinrude made 15hp motors 1953-56

That Elgin was built by McCulloch. Only McCulloch and Elgins use that prop. Unless McC also made them for some other mail-order company. I hope not.

I didn't realize that Johnson only made them in '56 and that the earlier years were only made by Evinrude. That being the case, would that make this motor somewhat rare? As for the McCulloch (Elgin), the plan is, if it runs, run it until it dies and scrap it....or sell it for what I pay for both of them and have the Johnson for free!!

 

[F_R]

Re: 1960 Elgin 7.5 - can I get a prop??

Put it on e-bay as is. Somebody less informed than you will buy it.

--P.T. Barnum

 

[mrcrabs]

Re: 1960 Elgin 7.5 - can I get a prop??

I gave an Mc elgin away last year to my buddie who runs a johnson dealership just to throw in the parts pile because it had laid under the old home place for 20 years, if you want I can get you his phone number. if you post a pic of the elgin I can verifiy its the same prop.

 

[Tom @ Buzzard Bluff]

Re: 1960 Elgin 7.5 - can I get a prop??

Bump. Still wondering about the prop for this.

It shouldn't be much problem to turn up a prop for the Mac. Try putting a free ad on the antique outboard club advertising page:
<http://www.aomci.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?board=Webvertize>

Mac 'Lo-boys' are sweet running little fishing motors when in good condition and well tuned. I like them, but as FR pointed out they are a PIA to work on.
While not nearly as big a pain as the OMC 9.5 that they inspired (THAT'S the one to avoid!) You do have to pull the powerhead for virtually anything except ignition repair. And you may be sure that the Marvel Schebler carb will need a fuelpump diaphragm. That you'll have to make as they have been unavailable for a loooong time. But 'Ollie' on the Oliver website (Google it) has the material and he sends enough for 3-4 new diaphragms so you'll have it when you need it next time if you're serious about 'fooling around' with old outboards. Discount Marine bought up the remaining parts stock from Mc and can supply a surprising amount of needed parts but you can count on needing another parts motor or two.

In looking for parts motors avoid any that have been used in saltwater like they carried the plague! Trying to get one of them apart requires proficiency in profanity in a minimum of 6 languages!

 

[learningasIgo]

Re: 1960 Elgin 7.5 - can I get a prop??

Called the guy today to go look at the motors, but he got a late start and didn't get them out (he was supposed to be bringing them into work with him). So hopefully will go look at them tomorrow and post what I find. Noone responded as to whether of not this is a somewhat rare motor as it was only made one year. Your experience says.......?? Please let me know what you would think it is worth in good running condition.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1960 Elgin 7.5 - can I get a prop??

The '56 Johnson is a popular motor among collector/restorers, whatever the size. The 15, being a one-year motor does mean that there are fewer of them around, but they are not particularly rare. $150 is fair for a good running motor that is not worn out or abused. That leaves $0 for the Mac. That's fair too.

Um.....you are aware that the Johnson needs a pressure tank to run, aren't you? Do you have one? If not, that'll cost ya another $50-$100.