First Outboard Rebuild

[BoatingCop]

Hey everyone. I really enjoy working on things and am pretty mechanically inclined, as I used to do mechanic work before I got into law enforcement but I still like to do it as a hobby. I've never rebuilt an engine before and have been looking for something to work with that would introduce me to the world of engine rebuilding. I've been following quite a few threads on here of people completley tearing down their engines and rebuilding. After reading those I feel fairly comfortable taking on the task as long as I have a service manual. I believe I have a lot of the tools needed as I have a pretty extensive set from doing mechanic work. I was think of starting out with a small 10-20hp junk engine that I could get for next to nothing off of cragislist or something so that way if I really screw up it's no biggie. I also want something small because I think it would be easier for my first total rebuild and my work shed is small. I'm even cofortable with taking the entire powerhead out if need be.

I'm kind of partial to OMC products due to my parents boat back in the day having a '77 Johnson 115 on the back of our '77 Glastron which was the first boat I ever drove. I have them to thank for my addiction to boats! I also feel really comfortable working on OMC for some reason and even more so after reading some of the threads on here. I'd also like to hear from some people who are newbies at rebuilding who did it themselves. Also if anyone can point me to more rebuild/resto threads of only outboards, that would be great. Even better if it's someone's first time. I just enjoy this sort of thing and think it would be really fun plus I would have the satisfaction of "I did it myself" or could just sell it. Either way for me it would be time well spent. Thanks for reading and any helpful tips would be great!! Thanks!

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: First Outboard Rebuild

go with a mid 50's to mid 60's johnson or evinrude they look cool and are easy to get parts for and repair

 

[samo_ott]

Re: First Outboard Rebuild

I agree, I love the mid/late 50's OMC's. I rebuilt my first engine about 5-6 years ago. It was an Evinrude 1961 5.5. It was my first OMC engine. I took a small engines course at a local college to facilitate it but you can easily do it without. What it was good for was that I dedicated the 3 hours every week to the engine so you don't get sidetracked. It was relatively easy and I didn't even have the manual. But I would recommend getting one. Since then I now own around 60-70 outboards in various conditions. I just collect em and fix em, sell some, run lots etc. All are 40hp and less. But I much prefer the 20hp and less as I can carry them. So I focus on these. Then, as I weigh 240#, I stick to the ones that can make my 14' aluminum boat plane. So my focus is the 10's, 15's and 18's. Specifically the 18's. I love em. Great power/weight ratio, easy to get. Easy to get parts for. I probably have around a dozen (don't exactly know how many, I get em and toss em in the shed). I get a lot of engines from my local aomci.org meets. Picked up a seized QD-11, 10hp there a few weeks ago for $10. If you have a chapter in your area I highly encourage you to join up and meet the folks. So, to sum it up I recommend the 18's or so. But it totally depends on what you will be running it on and where. Good luck and keep posting.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: First Outboard Rebuild

If I can teach my attorney how to rebuild his outboard, a police officer should certainly be able to handle one.

I concur with the advice on sticking with a Johnrude for a first project. Parts are readily available, as are manuals. Get an OEM manual whenever possible. I have also found that if you talk it up with folks at work, at parties, etc. you may be the beneficiary of a free outboard (or three). Also, watch Craigslist.

Good luck!

 

[BoatingCop]

Re: First Outboard Rebuild

I agree, I love the mid/late 50's OMC's. I rebuilt my first engine about 5-6 years ago. It was an Evinrude 1961 5.5. It was my first OMC engine. I took a small engines course at a local college to facilitate it but you can easily do it without. What it was good for was that I dedicated the 3 hours every week to the engine so you don't get sidetracked. It was relatively easy and I didn't even have the manual. But I would recommend getting one. Since then I now own around 60-70 outboards in various conditions. I just collect em and fix em, sell some, run lots etc. All are 40hp and less. But I much prefer the 20hp and less as I can carry them. So I focus on these. Then, as I weigh 240#, I stick to the ones that can make my 14' aluminum boat plane. So my focus is the 10's, 15's and 18's. Specifically the 18's. I love em. Great power/weight ratio, easy to get. Easy to get parts for. I probably have around a dozen (don't exactly know how many, I get em and toss em in the shed). I get a lot of engines from my local aomci.org meets. Picked up a seized QD-11, 10hp there a few weeks ago for $10. If you have a chapter in your area I highly encourage you to join up and meet the folks. So, to sum it up I recommend the 18's or so. But it totally depends on what you will be running it on and where. Good luck and keep posting.

Thanks for the info on the site. Thats really cool! I didn't even know it existed. I put an ad on craigslist and have had a few calls already. My favorite ear of the OMC's are the late 70's model Johnsons. For some reason I really like the looks of them. Thanks for the help and encouragement so far!