1996 150

[bobwalter]

I have an opportunity to purchase a pair of 1996 C/R 150 Evinrudes with 500 hours on the meters. One runs good but needs a power pack. The second has had the #1 piston break and score the cylinder. I plan on repowering my Mako 228. The seller states that a mechanic tore down the blown engine and said that #1 piston cracked and that pieces scratched the cylinder(s). He states that the mechanic said it is rebuildable. It is in boxes. I am retired and have the time to work on it.
The questions are: Were there any inherent problems with this model engine that I want to stay away from? Is this a project that sounds reasonable? Is it worth doing or should I keep looking? I am guessing around $500 should cover parts for the rebuild. Is this in the ballpark? Could this type of failure result in excessive unseen damage? He is asking $1500 for the pair including controls, gauges, props and oil tanks. He states that compression is good. If it is rebuildable, that sounds reasonable. He states that the lower units, etc are good on both. Are these good dependable engines?
I need opinions and also advice as what to expect.

Thanks in advance,

Bob

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1996 150

Bob, I bought a '98 Johnson 150HP last Dec. I therefore do not have too much experience, however, it seems that the prevailing opinion is that these motors are excellent.

As for your rebuild. Normally oversize pistons are about $100 ea. The two items that you need to know is if the broken cylinder can be bored out or resleeved (if that is possible?). The other thing you need to fix is the cause of the piston failure. Was it overheat, detonation, failure of the oiling system or lean fuel-air mix? You need to fix all these issues (if they exist) or you will melt another piston. In addition, if the bores are all just worn out, the rings can stick and cause scoring etc. This would require all the affected cylinders to be bored.

It is very likely that this would be a good project. The only question is are the other cylinders OK as is?

 

[bobwalter]

Re: 1996 150

Those are good questions. I have e-mailed the seller asking if there was a reason found that #1 came apart. If I have to bore #1 oversize, do I have to do the other 5?

Bob

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1996 150

Bob. You can mix oversize pistons with standard ones. That is normal. However, there is the possibility that all the bores are worn beyond spec, and one failed (so far) first. If that is the case, you should bore and repiston all of them. The only way to know is to strip down the block and measure the bores to see.