Buying a non-working outboard - what to watch out for?

[adamjthompson]

If I wanted to buy a non-functioning small outboard (maybe 6-15HP), what are some things I should watch out for? What are repairs that can't be fixed at a reasonable price?

I know to watch out for corrosion issues and lack of compression. In my experience fuel-related issues are usually pretty easy to fix.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Buying a non-working outboard - what to watch out for?

If the compression is good and there is no water in the lower unit, any other problem CAN be an easy fix.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Buying a non-working outboard - what to watch out for?

I f you look at the 9.5hp engines look closely at the motor mounts under the cowling. They rot away and new ones are not available anywhere. Otherwise they are great.

 

[82rude]

Re: Buying a non-working outboard - what to watch out for?

lots of variables here.for example coils are relatively cheap, lets say you need a stator,using 15hp as an example your looking at 285 or so.you have to balance the costs of repairs vs what a good running used motor would cost.a good running 15 hp evinrude from say the seventys can be had pretty cheap but if you have to replace a stator on same motor you,d be over the price of a used one at least around here.i picked up a 1957 Johnson 18 hp in turn key condition for 90 bucks but to replace just a few parts would exceed the price I paid.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Buying a non-working outboard - what to watch out for?

Best advice I can give, when you find one you are interested in get the model number and then go to BRP website, find te model then look through the parts breakdown, all sections, and see what parts are NLA and the replacement cost of major parts.

My brother has a late 80's 8hp Evinrude that had a broken part on the carb body. That carb is NLA. took him almost a year to find a used one and that wasn't cheap either.

Then a number of years ago I found a nice 18hp Evinrude but it had the lower unit torn up. I gave the guy $150.00 for it. Then found another 18hp that the powerhead was blown up and was able to pick that up for $50.00 and took the lower unit from that. So for $200.00 I had a nice running engine. Later was able to sell the remainder of that parts engine for the $50.00 I paid for it!

Much of it comes down to just looking everything over closely, understanding what it could cost to repair and then just getting damn lucky.

 

[dkonrai]

Re: Buying a non-working outboard - what to watch out for?

parts motor, very good question.
i have a pile of parts motors. most were free or 20.00. i did buy a box of parts, a complete 15 hp evi 1983 for 40.00.

some good buys, i have scored several motors that were not running for 100.00. just got a 1980, short shaft johnson for 100.00. so far i installed a cdi, and now have spark. will be looking into this motor a little deeper. if i get her running she will be worth its weight in gold.

good luck

dino

 

[Kylebellis]

Re: Buying a non-working outboard - what to watch out for?

Found a 1973 Johnson for 50 bucks and the guy had surface gap spark plugs in it, cleaned every connection cleaned carb new battery and some new plugs up to about 75 bucks and she runs like a top I've found a lot of
People don't understand a motor and won't put the effort in to read a book, and they will pretty much give the motor away, rather than tinker!

 

[SumDumGuy]

Re: Buying a non-working outboard - what to watch out for?

Best thing you can do is just walk away and forget about all of it.
If you don't you'll soon find yourself surrounded by motors of various hp ratings that you've fixed up and they all run nice. Your wife will be saying stuff about your mental condition and what are you going to do with all those motors and...
wait, maybe that's just me.

 

[nwcove]

Re: Buying a non-working outboard - what to watch out for?

Best thing you can do is just walk away and forget about all of it.
If you don't you'll soon find yourself surrounded by motors of various hp ratings that you've fixed up and they all run nice. Your wife will be saying stuff about your mental condition and what are you going to do with all those motors and...
wait, maybe that's just me.

nope yer not alone.....there are many of us. a support group has been started.....OOA.