Buy lower unit for 1981 70HP Evinrude or Used Motor

[doug88008]

Hi,
Our 1981 70HP Evinrude has a damaged lower unit and we have been told that it needs a replacement. The motor was well cared for and ran well but has been out of action for 3 years. I am now wondering whether we should buy a used 1996 Mercury 70HP motor (with controls for a bunch more money) or a used Evinrude or fix our Evinrude. The motor is on a 16 foot aluminum boat bowrider-type boat.
The boat is at Howson's Marine in Blind River, Ontario, Canada, and we are also looking for sources for lower units since they have been hard to find, and used motors if we decide to go that route.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts, advice or ideas.

Doug Hogg
Los Angeles, California

 

[clemsonfor]

Re: Buy lower unit for 1981 70HP Evinrude or Used Motor

You can find them keep looking, call up salvage boat yards or other marine repair that i thing is the bigger case which went on stuff even in the 90-115 range. I think there should be some blown powerhead motors around in those yards with a good lower.

 

[fwbdave]

Re: Buy lower unit for 1981 70HP Evinrude or Used Motor

Check this lady out in Florida. Her name is Kay. Tell her David in FWB sent you. http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/boa/1798338033.html

 

[doug88008]

Re: Buy lower unit for 1981 70HP Evinrude or Used Motor

Check this lady out in Florida. Her name is Kay. Tell her David in FWB sent you. http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/boa/1798338033.html

Thanks. Will do.

Doug

 

[doug88008]

Re: It's a miracle - found the same motor locally

Re: It's a miracle - found the same motor locally

Well I got lucky -- found the same motor (identical engine number) for sale locally (2 hours drive) on Craiglist for $700. Now I just have to remove the lower end and ship it from California to Blind River, Ontario, Canada. Any tips on removing the lower end and/or shipping motor parts to Canada?

Thanks again for the encouragement here. I was getting discouraged.

Doug Hogg
Los Angeles

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Buy lower unit for 1981 70HP Evinrude or Used Motor

just curious ,what was damaged on your lower?was it cracked ? if so where?

 

[doug88008]

Re: Buy lower unit for 1981 70HP Evinrude or Used Motor

just curious ,what was damaged on your lower?was it cracked ? if so where?

Sorry for the delay in answering. The lower end had a nasty crack -- looked like it hit a large rock.

 

[doug88008]

Re: Buy lower unit for 1981 70HP Evinrude or Used Motor

I was able to remove the lower end from the motor that I bought in California and ship it to Ontario for $100.

The mechanic got it on and it worked great and now I have the rest of the motor for spare parts.

Of course, a rebuilt lower end would have been the safer way to go, but this worked out (especially since I was having trouble finding a lower end at all, rebuild or not).



Doug

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Buy lower unit for 1981 70HP Evinrude or Used Motor

Wow, $700 is a lot, but I still think you did good. An '81 70hp I hear is a really reliable motor. I don't think you would be as happy with a merc 70 after owning an evinrude.
JBJ

 

[coolguy147]

Re: Buy lower unit for 1981 70HP Evinrude or Used Motor

trust me. stick with the evinrude......

 

[doug88008]

Re: Buy lower unit for 1981 70HP Evinrude or Used Motor

just curious ,what was damaged on your lower?was it cracked ? if so where?

To be more precise, the leading edge of the lower end had hit something very hard because there was a 3-4 inch crack with an actual hole for several inches in the gear casing.