Head Gasket?

[Arkie55]

Hey guys,<br />First, I want to thank you guys for helping me with my lower unit clutch replacement on my 1979 35hp Evinrude.<br /><br />Now, I bought a 1978 35hp Johnson outboard for spare parts for my 1979 35hp Evinrude. After looking at the price of gears, clutch, carb, ect... I thought a parts motor would be a good investment. I bought this motor of 150.00 and it looks good. The guy I bought it from said he was running down the river and it over heated and steam came out from under the cowling. The motor didn't lock up. He said it would start and run but had no power. He also said the compression was 60psi on both cylinders. Does that sound like a blown head gasket to you guys? I've been told that the 77, 78, and 79 35hp OMC motors were known for blowing head gaskets. What would you do with this motor? If it's only a head gasket then this would be a real steal at 150.00. Any suggestions on what to look at and check for?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Head Gasket?

Hmm....60 psi on both cylinders...it does sound like a blown head gasket. That could have caused the overheating and the steam.<br /><br />If you've already bought it, then pull the head and check it out. A new head gasket, plus a quick surfacing of the head on a piece of glass with emery paper (fine) should have it running again.<br /><br />Who knows...this one might run better than your other one. In that case, $150 would be a steal.<br /><br />You'll know quickly once you get that head off.