advice requested

[Phantom17]

Hey all, I still, (since I have not been able to look at the boat for 2 weeks) have the chance to buy a 16' bowrider with. an Evinrude 85 hp ob. Here is what I am told about the motor:<br /><br />I am told the compression checked out good, however there is an occasional slight tick in the motor. Normal for a 2 stroke?<br /><br />There is no serial number on the engine, thus making parts difficult to find. It appears (I'm told) that the motor has had work done to it, but to identify parts could be tough. Are OB parts not numbered on each part? <br /><br />I appreciate your time and suggestions. -Jeff

 

[Goodoleboy]

Re: advice requested

Parts are ordered by the model number. Some parts are numbered and some are not.<br /><br />Their should be a model number on the transom bracket. on the right side as you stand behind engine.<br /><br />I have no idea as to what is meant by slight (tick) my motor dosent have one, That I can hear anyways.<br /><br />If I were gona buy the motor I would run a compression test on it. Hopefully it will test above 100 PSI. be real happy if its 125 or better.<br /><br />Be real sad if it test below 85 on any cylinder, Like mabey run real fast back to your pickup.<br /><br />Unless the fellar wants to give it away...Grin!<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: advice requested

Look for a soft plug, this is an aluminum plug about the size of a quarter, it will have the mod., and ser. no. Look on the top backside of the block. The number on some parts wont always be in agreement with the parts manual. The tick could be anything, it would depend on what it is, and where it is coming from.

 

[Phantom17]

Re: advice requested

as in "run forrest, run", kinda run! <br /><br />I am slightly concerned about the tick. I can probably score another 85hp OB (one just sold locally to me for about $500) albeit older. The boat is at a dealer, but on consignment. They will not warrantee anything. It's about 20 years old. <br />They did do a compression check and said it was ok, but I do not have the numbers. If I can score them, it's good to know that over 100 each is good, 125 is great, and within 10 is best right? I am expecting with the age thats it's probably closer to 100 each. Thanks, Iowa eh? your up early this morning.........

 

[Goodoleboy]

Re: advice requested

Naw...I aint up early...Iam just late getting to bed!..Grin.<br /><br />Luck to ya!

 

[Phantom17]

Re: advice requested

just gettin' to bed!?!?!?!?! Luck to you!!!!!!! Thanks for the advice.-Jeff nighty nite......

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: advice requested

Compression being okay really doesn't mean much... the numbers do.<br /><br />A tick does not belong in the engine. That could be a loose wrist pin or just about anything, including a chipped gear in the lower unit whereas the noise would travel up the driveshaft to the powerhead area.<br /><br />If you can pick it up dirt cheap, and are figuring that you will eventually need to do unknown repairs, that's one thing. But if the price seems to coincide with the same type engines which are in ideal condition... well, that's something to think hard about.<br /><br />The model/serial number plate should be on the Port Transom Bracket (left, facing the rear of the engine) or on the top of the powerhead near the port cylinder head gasket (on most models).

 

[Phantom17]

Re: advice requested

Wer'e talking a grand, boat trailer and motor. Boat is fair to good, trailer needs bearings, otherwise OK, motor (after all this) is probably fair/poor. But I am expecting that. I am also hopeful to get a little bit out of it for the end of the season, before I learn how to work on OB's this winter.....<br /><br />Thoughts on it at that?

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: advice requested

Well if there is anything really wrong with the motor or the boat you can pretty much kiss off the remainder of the season. How old is the boat and motor? Is the boat's transom and floor solid? Is the steering gear, control cables and wiring in good condition and functioning? Depending on the age and condition may or may not be worth it. You need to know those compression numbers too. Old boats and trailers are a dime a dozen. The motor represents most of the inherent value.

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: advice requested

If you are unsure of the motor conditions and are unable to water test it, and do decide to buy it, go into the situation that you very well might not be able to use it this season. If you can water test it great. <br />I would find out more about this. $1000 sounds good but whats wrong with it??? If you have to dump another grand... or more to get her running then you now paid $2000 for it, and in my area $2500 can get you a great running boat that looks decent as well. I spent $100 for boat, motor, trailer and I have $400 in the boat, and another $500+ in the motor. The difference there is I know what has been done to the motor, and if we say I got the motor for free... I've spent just over $500 for a motor that's just about running right. <br />So my grand got me: reeds, rotor, throttle cable, lounge seats, carpet, rebuilt carbs,new tires and the list goes on and on. Whats your grand getting you? a list of needs? I would look into the motor a bit more. Find out what exactly is wrong and what it will need. If they'll let you water test it that would even be better.<br />Not trying to push you away... just trying to show the facts

 

[Phantom17]

Re: advice requested

Have not seen it in person yet. The boat and motor are an 85. I just called and the numbers were:<br />112-111-118-115<br /><br />not a terrible sign. Please I'd love your thoughts.-Jeff

 

[Goodoleboy]

Re: advice requested

Real good numbers Id say.<br /><br />Jump on it...just like ah dog on uh bone....grin!<br /><br />If the price is right.<br /><br /><br />Luck to ya!

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: advice requested

Those numbers do seem good.... so you know theres a tick... have you heard this motor run? or even seen the boat? The tick could be an easy fix... but then again it could be major as well. at least you know comp is good. Go take a look at it... and bring your wallet. If it's at a dealer can they drop it in a tank for you? least then you would have an idea how it would idle. and if it overheats.

 

[Phantom17]

Re: advice requested

They cant load test it, but they will run it for me. Whats the max rpm I should do on a hose or tank?<br /><br />No I have not heard the tick

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: advice requested

Not sure on RPM... someone would better answer that for you. I know you can give it some gas but not full throttle it. but again not sure on the numbers. If they only want to hook it up to a hose then start her up... Let her run for a bit to get her warmed up. Listen for misses or surges and the tick they say it has. Should be able to touch block for a second. If you did buy it I'd change the impellor before tryin to take it out. If they start her up with out hooking it up to the hose.... I'd walk away from the deal. Who knows how many times they've started it up and let it run without any cooling.

 

[Goodoleboy]

Re: advice requested

Idel only no more than 1500 RPMS. is recomended. If you go much over that, then dont tell us about it, Or we are gona be on you like ugly on an ape.<br /><br />Reving up a 2 stroke with no load on it is asking for a desaster, It can run away and blow parts all over the back yard.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[Phantom17]

Re: advice requested

Got up there, 1.50 hours each way. The boat was smaller than I thought. It's a 15.5 footer, and a tiny one at that. Made my 16 seem real big, especially since thats a stern drive. Motor started right up, but too loud to hear any tick. It was relatively smokey, even after the choke pulled off. Didn't seem to run too smooth to me. My 12 and 7 year old didn't like the noise or the smoke so they didn't want the boat. Be a great little lake boat though. <br /><br />How smoothly should an O/B run out of the water? Seems to me they run a bit rough at idle anyway, which it did, but it didn't seem to smooth out when given a little gas either. I left, saying I'd think about it, and that was after I looked around for one to put my 120hp OMC 2.5 in. If I could score a cheep one with a good drive and bum motor....swap time. <br /><br />Thoughts and comments on the smooth idle factor?????

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: advice requested

For the most part.... there loud. until you get um in the water. Idle should sound "smoother" on land then in water due to lack of back pressure

 

[Phantom17]

Re: advice requested

"smoother on land", hmmmmm, I would have thought the back pressure of the water would smooth them out a bit. Thanks, thats interesting.<br /><br />The guy at the shop said the he thought if I got a year out of the motor I'd be lucky, "even with the good compression, that just means it's ok right this second". <br /><br />Let me ask it this way. With the boat out of the water on muffs, (btw, shifting was good and smooth), what should I expect of idle and of say 1000 rpm?

 

[Goodoleboy]

Re: advice requested

1000 is a bit to high, should be close to 850 or 900 then in the water it slow to around 700 to 750.<br /><br />In my opinion a motor smoothes out alittle when ideling in the water.<br /><br />Most all outboards idel a bit rough for three to five minutes untill they get really good and warmed up.<br /><br />If you couldnt hear the "tick" over the exaust while on the muffs. I certinaly would insist on takeing a ride with it on the lake.<br /><br />Luck to ya!