good motor?

[wanabbtguy]

i have a 1978 check mate trimate boat that came with a 110 inline merc. the merc was blown. i found a guy that is selling a 1968 johnson 100hp electramatic for 350$. he had it overhauled 3 yrs ago and has the receipts for all the work. is this a good motor? are the electramatic drives any good? any advise would much appreciated. thanks.

 

[larky]

Re: good motor?

some say the electramatics are trouble, some say not. One respected member of Iboats (can't remember who) said that those lower units do not deserve the bad reputation they get. and personally I believe them, because mine has not given me any trouble. just like with anything mechanical, it's all in how it was treated and how you treat it. bottom line, do your home work. look it over as much as possible. take it for a test ride if possible. compression test all cylinders. check condition of lower unit oil. and ask the seller the common sense questions he should know, like what ratio do you mix the oil at, and what type of lube do you use in the lower unit. things like that.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: good motor?

Personally,
I had a '69 40hp johnson with electric shift and it was a very good lower unit. It shifted VERY smoothly and reliably. However, I did have to have the electrical system worked on. Also, there are some solenoids and other stuff, I believe, in some of those electric shift l.u.'s that I HEAR are very difficult if not impossible, and very expensive to buy. So, if it's working great and you don't mind the possibility of throwing away 350, get it. But like, the previous poster said, I'd want to drive it first. No test drive, no buy. And check the lower unit after the test drive for water. Any water, no buy.
JMO,
JBJ