Got hosed on a Chrysler 20 hp electric

[AZcamperguy]

I bought this motor and now it looks like it is going to be way more work than I have time for. I think it is a late 60's model #2021. It is electric start and seems to be in good condition except for the seals and it is missing the cowling hood. I took it out once and it ran great but when I got back it was leaking at the lower unit. The problem is that I don't have the time and energy to work on this project. Plus, I spent waaay too much on it and now it gives me a headache when I look at it. Here's the story.
The guy I bought it from was helping his friend's wife sell stuff to raise money to pay for bills. His friend and her husband had just died unexpectedly at the very young age of 48. He left behind 2 boys as well. The 15 year old son and his father's friend are the ones I bought the motor from. Now, I don't feel bad about helping them out in their time of need but that is my only saving grace on this situation.
Right now, I just want to be rid of it. I don't often make such poor buying decisions since I have 4 kids of my own and limited income. I'd hate to junk it or just give it away because I do believe it has value and I would think that someone may need parts or have an interest in restoring it.
Should I try to disassemble it and part it out on ebay? Would it likely be worth the while to do so? Should I simply list it on Craigslist for a small amount?
I need to figure out what to do with this thing. Your thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Got hosed on a Chrysler 20 hp electric

First off, you don't say what you spent--and that's OK if you look at it as helping without seeming to give charity. So from that viewpoint you didn't spend too much. What goes around comes around and someday you will be rewarded for your generosity.

If it runs well, then it was not really a poor buy. sealing the lower unit is not too difficult or expensive and a cowling can be found used for not too much.

If you truly simply want to get rid of it, ebay would probably be better than Craigslist since sometime they get into bidding wars. But now is the wrong time of the year.

If you want to lit on CL, try for a couple of hundred as a running engine--probably won't get it but if you don't try, you never will.

 

[AZcamperguy]

Re: Got hosed on a Chrysler 20 hp electric

Hi Frank, well I paid 400 hundred for it effectively. I realize it isn't much to some people but to me it is a lot. I have been looking around for a hood and am not having luck finding one. Unfortunatley, I am not super mechanically inclined. I realize that I had made a poor buying decision the very day after I bought it and it was suggested to me that I contact the seller to get my money back. No way was I going to ask the friend and grieving family members for money back so here I am with a motor that I just don't have the time for and I feel like is haunting me.
My basic plan was to chalk it up to helping out some folks who need it more than I and a lesson in motor buying. I will be more careful in the future. I just have my head rattled over this whole thing right now and am trying to figure out what to do.
I am going to spend some time teaching myself to repair the 10hp (since I can use the 6 for now) and have the 20hp Johnson professionally repaired and then maintain myself from then on out. I figure it will be easier to do with 2 of the same type of motor and having two 20hps is redundant and unnecessary.
I will probably list it on craigs as you suggested but I will wait a bit to see if there are any more comments. Thanks

 

[steven4141]

Re: Got hosed on a Chrysler 20 hp electric

Where on the lower is it leaking? Prop,oil plug ,joint where it bolts to mid leg? It might be easier to fix than you think.

 

[huskerdaninva]

Re: Got hosed on a Chrysler 20 hp electric

I mean no disrespect to you at all, but if you did a "good deed" for people who could benefit from your "generosity" in the purchase of this motor than in my opinion you most certainly did not get "hosed" on your purchase. If the motor is not a financially viable repair project, than I would list parts individually on Ebay. Persoanlly, I have had real good luck looking on Ebay for "lots" of parts, keeping what I can use on my project, and selling the rest off. I have been quite successful keeping the cost of my project down by doing this. Just friendly advice. I've always been of the opinion that if you do a good deed for someone it will come back around to you in spades. One man's opinion. Good luck.

 

[AZcamperguy]

Re: Got hosed on a Chrysler 20 hp electric

Thanks for the thoughts guys. I guess "hosed" was a bad choice of words. I was happier knowing I helped them out while getting something I wanted as well. At the time of the post I was feeling sort of bummed.
Anyway, to answer Steven4141. I think that it may just be that I put ther wrong washers on the lower unit and it got water in there. I haven't had a chance to try out some different ones and change the oil so we will see. Thanks for all the good advice and I hope everyone is having a nice holiday season