Hi. I'm looking at an old 16 foot boat with a 1978 Chrysler 115hp outboard on it (1157H8A). The motor itself looks very clean cosmetically from the photos except for the fact that I can see there are 5 bolts missing on the side plate - likely sheered off I guess. Apparently it is running well but I don't know about compression etc. It has working tilt, the style with an external reservoir under the gunwhale (which seems like a better location than hanging off the side like on the early Johnsons).
I see the motor as a bonus really and am not associating much value to it given that I don't know what the internals are like. I know that some people were fans of Chrysler outboards but over here in Australia they didn't ever have a good reputation. Maybe worse than they deserved and no one really knows much about them anymore. I have a good 1975 115hp OMC Crossflow which I could put on the boat - either immediately or when the Chrysler dies if there is still life left in it. The boat has a bracket for a kicker motor so would have a backup.
I'm guessing the bolt pattern would be different for these two motors. I can't seem to find a template for the Chrysler outboards online to be able to compare to the OMC pattern and see how far away from the existing holes in the transom I would have to make new ones. Has anyone got one?
I've never done this before. Is the basic process just to drill new holes and seal around bolts with 3M 5200 or similar and plug up the old holes with some dowel or something and fibreglass over?
Any other comments on this motor? Looks simpler to work on than the OMC but also has a distributor by the looks of it which I guess is older technology than CDI.
Your right, the mounting template is different.
I just made my own when I needed one.
As far as Chrysler vs OMC: OMC would be easier to get parts.
If you have a running OMC/Chrysler run it till it dies.
from memory ? , the older Mercury pattern is the same a Chrysler.
not a lot of love for the old Chryslers , but a mighty tough and reliable motor in their day , if you have a runner just run it till it dies then repower.
