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

[1stgenbird]

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

That is a typical story. "Ran fine when last used", even if that was 25 years ago, which was in a recent CL ad here.

 

[jonesg]

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

The seller has the fuel tank, so theres no reason they can't give it a test run for the buyer, or else its a parts engine. Asking top dollar for an unknown ?

When I bought my 59 10hp the seller was knwledgable, he said the coils are cracked to bits, I gave him $125, put $75 in ignition parts and it fired up.

 

[chuckm51]

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

Hi zephyr,
and ouch!
I admit...my broker was calling to warn me that acme omc parts.com was cratering, and that maybe I should divest. Because that sea king is so quiet I really could speak to my annoyed wife while tooling along at around 12 mph.
But that is not my main worry; rather, throwing $200 or so into an educated gamble should make any normal person pause.
A 15hp would solve useability issues. It would hardly be a daily driver, but would see use every couple weeks.
Since fuel supply is dependent on the predssurized fuel tank, this matter has many moving parts.
But the motor is sooo good looking.

 

[chuckm51]

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

In my experience, outboards are noisy.
I am more worried about finding coils, condensers, points, seals, etc. Starting it, if even possible, and blowing up the impeller is a mistake.
But it si so nice looking

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

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

It sure is PERTY I'm glad it's not for sale in my area or I would probably be buying it, even for $300. It's way prettier than both my 1956 15HP Johnson's and my 1956 10HP Johnson. I wouldn't worry too much about finding parts for it. It's amazing how many of those old motors are still out there and new aftermarket parts are out there too.

 

[1946Zephyr]

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

chuckm51, ignition parts and waterpumps will be available until the world ends. All the singles and twins used the same ignition, from 1951, till up in the 70's. As Wishiniwuzfishin stated, there are quite a few after market dealors out there for the other parts you may need. Below is a list of some too.

sea-way.com
engine blade and prop.com
outboard-parts.com
laingsoutboards.com
tcoutboard.com
fairwindsmarina.com
salvagemarine.com
marinepartsoutlet.com
outboardexchange.com
Superior Marine (800-338-9281)
budgetboats.net
americanoutboard.com
piratemarinesalvage.com
trixieslanding.com
mmmarinesalvage.com
tcoutboards.com
http://www.nymarine.ca/piclist.html Paint and decals

As jonesg stated, since there is a fuel tank, why not mix up some gas and see what happens? I bet that old bugger will start right up. I would pull the spark plugs and spray some wd-40 in the cylinders, to loosen things up a bit though. If it's in nice condition, I'm willing to bet it'll start up. Watch for water pumping out though. The impeller is likely shot, from sitting so long, so it may not pump very well. You should be able to run it for half a minute or so, till it gets a little warm though.

 

[bktheking]

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

Way too much IMO without knowing the facts of the motor, run good or not, what does it need, etc etc etc.

 

[jbjennings]

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

Well, this is my last post on the topic.....
Condition means a lot to me. Here in the south, I can find VERY FEW 50's outboards that don't have bazillions of hours on them. This one appears to have very few. Prop and skeg condition are a biggie as well. Does it come with the dual line tank??? If all those conditions are satisfied, I'm willing to pay more than I would for the usual non-running, most likely "parts motors". This one looks like a keeper. I would want to check compression to verify in my feeble mind that it was a low hours motor or at least in likely good condition. I've also gotten to the point that I'm pretty sure I can feel connecting rod slop when I rotate the flywheel a little.
I seriously doubt this motor would run due to the almost positively cracked coils, so that wouldn't be a big deal to me. I'd also pull the plugs and look for milkiness on them because I don't like to pull the head on an oldie unless I have to. I wouldn't want this particular motor because it's a '54, but if it were a '55 or '56, I'd be willing to part with up to $250 for it.
It appears to be in really nice shape. The OP lives in Austin (long boating season), so I bet he won't find too many in this kind of shape that are for that price.
JMO,
JBJ

 

[chuckm51]

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

Yea, my other 2 motors are totally faded out from sitting in the sun for decades. I'm gonna go look at it on Sat I think, and take $200-300 with me.
I have some people interested in my Eska 5hp...have it for sale for $300 ... would be a good swap for me I think.
Assuming the gaskets on the tank are good, or replaced, is the pressurized tank setup a hassle? Or is it reliable? I've never had any experience with this design.

 

[54fleetwin]

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

All the tune up parts you need are available.
The tank alone is worth $75

I just did a lower unit seal kit, bought from NAPA for $30, NAPA has the coils but they were cheaper on ebay, another $30 shipped, I took the carb apart and cleaned, should have bought the carb(available at NAPA) but I will that later. Impeller is also available at NAPA.
You could through $100 at it to make it right and you will have a great engine that will last you many years