Hardest engine to work on????

[skynyrdcat]

What do you consider to be the hardest outboards to work on?
I've basically only worked on Evinrude OB's but am considering opening a small shop to work (mostly as a hobby) on some local boats/motors. Just wondering if there are any you would suggest shying away from if someone brought one by?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Hardest engine to work on????

the ones you can't get manuals and parts for.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Hardest engine to work on????

Well, some of the early Mercury 6 cylinder outboards were integral block motors, meaning the head, & block are all one piece, you have to split the case, & take everything out, and put it all back in, from the bottom (crankshaft) end, I don't know if this carries across the whole Merc line, or if they're still made this way today?

About 40yrs ago I bought an old 16' Larson with a 70hp 6cyl Merc. that I came to find out the spark plug holes were mostly stripped, with no head to remove to fix them? the motor was in such poor shape, I ended up rebuilding it anyway, and fixing the spark plug threads, what a nightmare to rebuild, because of that design. Good Luck, Mike

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Hardest engine to work on????

Not that experienced but the list has to include the YAMAHAS with the pressed together crank shaft. Anything less than 90 hp. has or had one piece connecting rod journals that the crank had to be seperated to replace the connecting rod. Was successful but would not do it again. FRED

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Hardest engine to work on????

I vote for the 50's mercury Mark 10's and such. A specialized tool is needed just to change the water pump.
JBJ

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Hardest engine to work on????

not all small yamahas used the built up crank, but it was used a lot by yamaha,suzuki and tohatsu/nissan.
Ackermann marine in Wilminton NC has rebuilt several of them for me over the years.
shipping isnt bad and the price and service was always very good.
without factory support I would stay away from any make DFI other than maybe plug and fluid changes.
mostly depends on how much your gonna spend on manuals and Diagnostic equipment.

 

[skynyrdcat]

Re: Hardest engine to work on????

not all small yamahas used the built up crank, but it was used a lot by yamaha,suzuki and tohatsu/nissan.
Ackermann marine in Wilminton NC has rebuilt several of them for me over the years.
shipping isnt bad and the price and service was always very good.
without factory support I would stay away from any make DFI other than maybe plug and fluid changes.
mostly depends on how much your gonna spend on manuals and Diagnostic equipment.

Whats, the acronym DFI stands for?

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Hardest engine to work on????

anything that has touched saltwater!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Hardest engine to work on????

DFI is Direct Fuel Injection, EFI is electronic fuel injection.
the difference is in the injection method, EFI places the injectors in the intake tract and DFI injects directly into the cylinder after the intake and exhaust ports have been covered by the piston.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Hardest engine to work on????

I have a little word-of-mouth business. I will repair any make engine with mechanical damage but I always note to the owner that I do not have diagnostic tools for electronics so will not repair those problems. I do one or two engines a year--mostly as a diversion.

Believe Me! THEY ARE ALL GOING TO FIGHT YOU IN SOME WAY! So, expect aggravation in every engine you rebuild. But, Force and Chrysler tend to be the easiest to work on.

If you do start it as a small sideline business---CHARGE EM! They expect it! If you do not respect your labor, skill, and knowledge enough to charge a fair price, how can you expect the customer to feel that he/she has gotten a quality repair?

For example: When I rebuild an engine, 1 piston or more--it still takes about 10 hours to disassemble and reassemble. So, I charge 450 labor plus parts for a complete rebuild. 45 bucks an hour is fair considering that the marina will charge 100. I make a little money while doing something I enjoy, the customer saves a little and we both win.

My personal philosophy is to give them a little extra. For example: I usually remove the head(s) while they are present and show them the damage. The river is close, so if at all possible, after the rebuild, I take them out for a shakedown cruise. I regrease the trailer axles as part of the rebuild and will also recommend and persuade them to let me change the water pump impeller. ( be a shame to overheat a brand new engine for a twenty dollar part) I will also dress the prop edges if necessary.

 

[skynyrdcat]

Re: Hardest engine to work on????

I have a little word-of-mouth business. I will repair any make engine with mechanical damage but I always note to the owner that I do not have diagnostic tools for electronics so will not repair those problems. I do one or two engines a year--mostly as a diversion.

Believe Me! THEY ARE ALL GOING TO FIGHT YOU IN SOME WAY! So, expect aggravation in every engine you rebuild. But, Force and Chrysler tend to be the easiest to work on.

If you do start it as a small sideline business---CHARGE EM! They expect it! If you do not respect your labor, skill, and knowledge enough to charge a fair price, how can you expect the customer to feel that he/she has gotten a quality repair?

For example: When I rebuild an engine, 1 piston or more--it still takes about 10 hours to disassemble and reassemble. So, I charge 450 labor plus parts for a complete rebuild. 45 bucks an hour is fair considering that the marina will charge 100. I make a little money while doing something I enjoy, the customer saves a little and we both win.

My personal philosophy is to give them a little extra. For example: I usually remove the head(s) while they are present and show them the damage. The river is close, so if at all possible, after the rebuild, I take them out for a shakedown cruise. I regrease the trailer axles as part of the rebuild and will also recommend and persuade them to let me change the water pump impeller. ( be a shame to overheat a brand new engine for a twenty dollar part) I will also dress the prop edges if necessary.

Very good, I respect and appreciate the info. I had seriously considered a FREE de-carb with any job over $100, the axil grease would be a nice addition to that.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Hardest engine to work on????

What do you consider to be the hardest outboards to work on?
I've basically only worked on Evinrude OB's but am considering opening a small shop to work (mostly as a hobby) on some local boats/motors. Just wondering if there are any you would suggest shying away from if someone brought one by?

I'd avoid any of the Eska-based engines from the 70s. If they use electronic ignition, the parts are either not available or available only at a price more than the value of the engine.

In fact, you might want to avoid all the outboard brands that are long out of production.

There's a guy in my area who only works on OMC outboards from 1956 to 1970. Nobody else will, and they're easy to work on. He has all the work he can handle. Specializing might be a good idea.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Hardest engine to work on????

the hardest motors to work on are frankenmotors..... its usually more of a I/B thing... i don't touch them.

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Hardest engine to work on????

I've worked on a few, but the hardest one will be my 1977, 15 HP Johnny that my buddy borrowed a week or two ago and had it jump off the transom and sink to the bottom in 30' of 50 degree salt water. She's still on the bottom and will probably stay there.
Nightstalker

 

[Mybigjohnson]

Re: Hardest engine to work on????

I have a little word-of-mouth business. I will repair any make engine with mechanical damage but I always note to the owner that I do not have diagnostic tools for electronics so will not repair those problems. I do one or two engines a year--mostly as a diversion.

Believe Me! THEY ARE ALL GOING TO FIGHT YOU IN SOME WAY! So, expect aggravation in every engine you rebuild. But, Force and Chrysler tend to be the easiest to work on.

If you do start it as a small sideline business---CHARGE EM! They expect it! If you do not respect your labor, skill, and knowledge enough to charge a fair price, how can you expect the customer to feel that he/she has gotten a quality repair?

For example: When I rebuild an engine, 1 piston or more--it still takes about 10 hours to disassemble and reassemble. So, I charge 450 labor plus parts for a complete rebuild. 45 bucks an hour is fair considering that the marina will charge 100. I make a little money while doing something I enjoy, the customer saves a little and we both win.

My personal philosophy is to give them a little extra. For example: I usually remove the head(s) while they are present and show them the damage. The river is close, so if at all possible, after the rebuild, I take them out for a shakedown cruise. I regrease the trailer axles as part of the rebuild and will also recommend and persuade them to let me change the water pump impeller. ( be a shame to overheat a brand new engine for a twenty dollar part) I will also dress the prop edges if necessary.

Well, I would pay you $45 an hour to rebuild mine AND I would help you. To me, it would be an education and also knowing I got things done right.
Wish you were in my neighborhood.

 

[F_R]

Re: Hardest engine to work on????

I'll work on your motor for $45 and hour. $75 if you help.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Hardest engine to work on????

I'll work on your motor for $45 and hour. $75 if you help.

heheheh... good one.