1979 Evinrude 115 hp... good buy?

[Larry Tate]

hey guys kinda new to the forum so i'll start with a good one...looking for a motor to put on my 16 ft starcraft css and i think i found a good one...its a 1979 evinrude 115 hp V4. unfortunately, i cant see it run cause its laying flat in the boat, and it has no power tilt/trim. should i get it for $700? i would also check compression, but the motor hasnt run since beggining of summer. will it readout completely false, or will i still be able to pinpoint a weak cylinder, even if the readouts are all less that correct readings? thanks a lot for the help guys.

 

[madolive3]

Re: 1979 Evinrude 115 hp... good buy?

Hopefully it has good even compression. I just bought a 1978 Johnson with power trim and even compression in all four cylinders for $200. Just for reference.

 

[Solittle]

Re: 1979 Evinrude 115 hp... good buy?

You should be O.K. for a compression check. Price seems high with no power trim/tilt.

 

[lance129]

Re: 1979 Evinrude 115 hp... good buy?

i just bought a 16' checkmate, 1977 evinrude 115 w/ tilt/trim, with a double axle trailer for $650... one of the best motors ive had, but i wouldnt pay $700 for one. especially if you cant see it run.

 

[Larry Tate]

Re: 1979 Evinrude 115 hp... good buy?

ok thanks guys...i would pay 700 cause it comes with a boat n trailer in pretty good shape i think i can get rid of for a coupple hundred i could put twords a tilt trim unit... i sprung on it cause its just the motor i want and theyre hard to come by up here (im in northern new england). but def gonna ask this dude to fire it up. will post tomorrow to let u guys know how it went down

 

[Larry Tate]

Re: 1979 Evinrude 115 hp... good buy?

Hopefully it has good even compression. I just bought a 1978 Johnson with power trim and even compression in all four cylinders for $200. Just for reference.

was that in running condition? sounds like its hotter than a $2 pistol.

 

[lance129]

Re: 1979 Evinrude 115 hp... good buy?

well if it comes with a boat and trailer then yeah thats a good deal as long as it runs!
best of luck to ya! oh and if one of the cylinders is weak itll still read, itll just be lower. the compression on my '77 115 is 140 psi even in all 4 cylinders (for reference)

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1979 Evinrude 115 hp... good buy?

Take the compression readings just as it is before you buy. That will tell you a lot about the powerhead, even if it has not run in a while. If it has a bad hole (cylinder) it's only worth what the value of the lower unit is. My 79 overhauled 115 has 125 lbs on all 4 holes.

 

[Larry Tate]

Re: 1979 Evinrude 115 hp... good buy?

ok so i did good... it had compression of 120-135 on all cylinders. also convinced the guy to fire it up, and it starts and idles nice. the next step (after getting rid of the boat it came on) is getting the holes drilled for the new motor bracket. I also have to fill the holes from the old motor (it was a merc) so any suggestions on how to do that? i was gonna get some 2 part marine epoxy and use that maybe ball up some paper towels or something to get it to fill over. also for the new holes im just gonna get the right bit and get to it...do these procedures sound not legit? any help/ suggestions is much appreciated. will post pic prob sunday or mondaay once the motor is on my boat.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: 1979 Evinrude 115 hp... good buy?

Mounting may be same ... measure before doing anything. If new holes needed, fill old ones with large dowels and Marine Tex (all Marine Tex for exposed surfaces).

BTW, running w/o load on hose tells nothing other than motor will start and run. Running under load on a boat is the only way to judge condition.

 

[Larry Tate]

Re: 1979 Evinrude 115 hp... good buy?

yeah i know that i've dealt with a few "runs good on the stand, but....". truthfully it is hard to find a cheap motor that is able to be tested in the water on the spot, so i took what i could get. after i sell the boat it came on i should have some financial wiggle room in case i do need to throw a few parts at it. ill see if the mount holes will line up (that would be too easy) and post back with pics. also, does anyone have an idea of how fast my boat will go? its an 87 starcraft css with a 1979 evinrude 115.

 

[bbodin]

Re: 1979 Evinrude 115 hp... good buy?

I would stick to epoxy in the holes. No since in putting a wood dowel in there to risk rot.

 

[Carpenter2486]

Re: 1979 Evinrude 115 hp... good buy?

i got a 1980 evinrude 115 this summer and i put it on my 18ft prince craft bowrider, it went 43mph with 5 people in the boat. and it was wavy out,