Fix it, or Scrap it?

[BigB9000]

Engine in question is a 1966 Evinrude 18hp

When I first got into outboard repair, this was the first engine I ever 'fixed'
6 years ago, I resealed the gear case, replace the impeller, gave it points and coils, redid the carb, new fuel pump, and painted the exhaust housing and lower.

It has seen 5 years of good use. 6 months out of the year, it sees about 20 hours a month. It is used by every visitor to the familys river property.
Stored out in the 120 degree sun, and never winterized.

A year ago, it stopped pumping water, but was used anyway. It mad it about 300 feet before the engine seized up.

after it seized and cooled, the engine freed itself up, started again a few days after the fact for a few seconds, and it has been sitting ever since.

Retrieved the engine, gave it a few good coatings of Raid.
and did a compression test this morning.

90 psi on the top
120 psi on the bottom

Think its just a simple head gasket? or is it done for?

The engine has other problems too.
bot transom clamps are now broken, the 4 rubber hood pan mounts are broken. the pull-starter handle has been replaced with a broken screw-driver.
It'll need new fuel lines and a good cleaning.

 

[Rick.]

Re: Fix it, or Scrap it?

No one can answer that. You need to pull the head at least do determine if the cylinders are O.K. My gut feeling would be the head is warped and causing the gasket to leak. That is a cheap fix usually. If your intention is to get it running and use it I would say go for it. If your going to get it running and then let it sit I would just fog the cylinders real good and leave it sit until you have a need for it. I think motors need to be used at least a few times per season in order to lube them up and give them some exercise. What ever you do don't scrap it. Put it on Craigs list for a give away to someone who will appreciate it. Best of luck. Rick.

 

[BigB9000]

Re: Fix it, or Scrap it?

What ever you do don't scrap it. Put it on Craigs list for a give away to someone who will appreciate it.

Oh, by scrap, I meant, part it out on ebay.
I do that will most of my junk outboards. Then use the money for other boating needs.

Ill go pull the head off and see what it looks like.

 

[boobie]

Re: Fix it, or Scrap it?

I'd have everybody that used it for the last 5 yrs "chip in" and buy a new mtr. That way no more headaches for you.

 

[BigB9000]

Re: Fix it, or Scrap it?

I'd have everybody that used it for the last 5 yrs "chip in" and buy a new mtr. That way no more headaches for you.

yeah, if only, everybody just pitched in to get a new 115hp E-Tech so that out.

This is more of a tender. When the tide comes up, is a good swim to get to the boat, this gets tied up using a pulley system for easy retrieval. Its gets used as a people transporter to the pontoon boat. or to tie up the pontoon. Also gets used for fishing in the lagoons, and to transport kids up river so they can float back.

Stuck or broken down boaters even see use of this boat/engine.
also, is taken down to the needles boat show every year. (as a joke of course)

anyway, pulled head. No visible damage to gasket

I did a quick resurface to the head, by putting a sheet of sand paper on the floor, and running the head across it:

Bottom cylinder looks and feels great. Cross-hatch pattern still visible:

Top cylinder is the same (ish)

But has a rough spot. Not ground down or anything, just doesn't[ feel like glass like the rest of the cylinder walls:

Opinions?

Take some 600 grit sand paper to it to smooth it out?

 

[boobie]

Re: Fix it, or Scrap it?

The only thing that looks a little suspect to me according to the pict is the bottom part of the head gasket. If it was mine I'd clean up the block, put a new head gasket in it and go from there. That is of course after going through the water pump. Over the years I've seen a lot of these "good OLD mtrs" do this and with very little repair still keep on running. How about an E-tec 25 hp ? LOL.

 

[BigB9000]

Re: Fix it, or Scrap it?

Yeah, Ill pull the power head, fix the pan, and take it from there.