How could I tell if the power head is cracked?

[erichy]

Hi fellas I just bought a 1974 50 HP Evinrude to resell. I picked it up cheap and got it running well and I have people coming to look at it this weekend. I don't want to rip anybody off and I don't know much about outboards so I was wondering if it would be obvious if the head was cracked. The motor was stored outside for 2 years and I don't know if it was winterized properly. I would hate to sell this to somebody and come to find out something big was wrong with it. It seems perfect but what should i look for?

 

[yorab]

Re: How could I tell if the power head is cracked?

A very important test of any internal combustion engine is a compression test. This will reveal quite a bit about the mechanical health of the engine including possible cracked cylinder heads. Do you have access to a compression tester?

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: How could I tell if the power head is cracked?

Cylinder head's , along with the rest of the block are self draining. I don't recall ever see'ing a block or head freeze cracked, a gearcase yes.

 

[jtexas]

Re: How could I tell if the power head is cracked?

It wouldn't have cracked from lack of winterizing...only inboard engines retain water after shutdown.

[btw thanks for making the effort to represent boat owners as basically honest people.]

 

[erichy]

Re: How could I tell if the power head is cracked?

Thanks guys I did a compression check and both held steady at 120. If anybody needs a motor near Buffalo NY here it is. http://buffalo.craigslist.org/boa/1895708492.html