How do I decide if engines are worth restoring?

[mysticdoc]

Not long ago, I bought a 1956 Trojan 18 Utility which has the supposed original pair of 1957 Evinrude 35 Big Twin outboards. I'm told these were last run in 1999 and are not frozen up. There are no fuel tanks included. I've been quoted $500-1000 each for refinishing. I'd like to keep the engines with the boat, but how do I decide whether to restore them mechanically?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: How do I decide if engines are worth restoring?

Why not perform a compression test? This will tell you whether the innerds are good. The rest is relatively cheep to repair, except for the gearcases and props....

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: How do I decide if engines are worth restoring?

As for worth... The motors likely will not be "worth" $1000 each when done, so don't expect to get your money back if you have them redone. However, it CAN be worth it to you if you plan on keeping the boat, showing it off, passing it on to your kids, etc. Lots of folks, myself included, have spent far more on our boats during restorations than they are "worth". If are really in love with the boat and you're planning on keeping it (or don't mind selling at a loss), then the worthiness is only limited by the thickness of your wallet...

 

[HighTrim]

Re: How do I decide if engines are worth restoring?

I agree, I dont think I could get anywhere near what I have into my older motors and cedar strip.

However, the looks that you get are priceless.

 

[nwcove]

Re: How do I decide if engines are worth restoring?

you can diy with some time, and not a whole lotta money. if the motors are in reasonable mechanical shape, and you have time, basic tools, and reasonable mechanical ability...go for it! theres a wealth of knowledge here in the forum that can help with almost any issue you may have.

welcome to iboats

 

[JB]

Re: How do I decide if engines are worth restoring?

What makes a veteran outboard "worth" restoring is the value you put on the pleasures of using your creative energies. The notion of making the sale value exceed the money invested is most commonly a naive pipe dream.

 

[jmendoza]

Re: How do I decide if engines are worth restoring?

See picture below of the 1954 CD-11 I restored and painted myself. I spent about $250.00 on this project, including parts, decals and paint. Most of the time was spent cleaning and sanding the old paint, prepping it for primer and color coats. I did all the mechanical first (carb, water pump, ignition, re-sealed gearcase) then test ran it and did all the adjustments. With that done, I painted the engine. Decals run about $50.00, paint is about $75.00, and I had mine mixed at a local automotive paint store and put into spray cans, and the left over paint they put in two small 4 ounce cans so i can use it in my spray gun later with catalyst. I'm lazy however, and just used the spray cans, it was too easy! A good datum is if the engines run, you are half way there and it's usually then well worth the effort to paint them. Mine sat for two years before I "pulled the pin", and looking back, it was very rewarding. At the gas station, launch ramp, and on the lake, people always comment.

This forum is a good place to find parts (IBOATS) and assistance, many of us here have these 1950 OMC engines.

 

[lindy46]

Re: How do I decide if engines are worth restoring?

I agree with JMendoza. I've routinely put $250-350 into a motor with paint and decals, and I turn around and am lucky to get $400-500 for them. If I figure my labor for the time invested, I'm probably getting about $2-3 an hour. I could make a lot more working at McDonalds. But I'm not doing it for the money, I just enjoy bringing the old motors back to life. It's a great hobby for this retired guy.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: How do I decide if engines are worth restoring?

Do a compression test first. It's under a hundred usually to get em up and running without doing the cosmetic work...

 

[Mas]

Re: How do I decide if engines are worth restoring?

THe '57 big twins use a two line pressure tank...which I think are pretty cool. If you prefer, you can convert both motors to use a fuel pump...which might cost a bit more.

An old boat and motor must be treated as a hobby so the "value" of your purchase is in the pride of ownership and the fun tinkering and restoring...no money in it!

Mas

 

[toddschubert]

Re: How do I decide if engines are worth restoring?

I'm looking at a 1956 JW 12 Johnny that I can get for $100 and was gonna fix and flip. But the pros. I talked to said after the 2-300$ it needs it would not be worth it. Only to keep and use which I still might do.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: How do I decide if engines are worth restoring?

Yep, all of the above. I have a decent sized inventory that I'm going to restore myself. You can see my small inventory in my signature below. I've enjoyed tinkering with these old outboards for about 20 years now and have fixed an access of a couple hundred of them. Some of mine and some for others. It's safe to say that like some of the others here, It's a fun hobby. Those motors and thay boat would look awesome all restored. I would say "GO FOR IT" I'm pretty partial to the old Big Twin class of that year, myself.

 

[mysticdoc]

Re: How do I decide if engines are worth restoring?

I stumbled across this forum by Google search and have been really impressed by the responses I've received. Now that you all made it sound like a realistic and worthwhite project, I should add that I have next to no mechanical experience with engines. I've done quite a lot of woodworking and built a couple small wooden boats which was why this boat project interested me. I have found an original parts list and also a Clymer shop manual which includes these motors. Is this a project where I could learn by doing with outside consultation when required?

To the requirement for pressurized tanks, are they readily available or is it more practical to add fuel pumps?

I have no illusions about recouping time and money devoted to this boat. I live in Mystic and would love to show it at the Wooden Boat Show and Antique and Classic Rendezvous at Mystic Seaport.

Thanks to all for your input so far.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: How do I decide if engines are worth restoring?

You'll find lots of help here. I should have the parts manuals for you. if you want them, send me a PM with your email and model #(s) in it.

 

[jmendoza]

Re: How do I decide if engines are worth restoring?

Well, there are plenty of guys who are great mechanics, and since you are skilled with wood, maybe you can find one who will swap your time for a repair..you fix the bad wood, they can get the engines tuned and serviced, it wood (pun) be a good trade. Try looking up the local AOMC chapter in your area as many of the antique outboard guys are into wood boats. Wood finishing is harder to do than painting metal, I'm betting if you can do stain grade wood finishes, metal refinishing would be a cake walk for you. I myself have had excellent results with spray cans, even though I have a DeVillbiss sprayer and compressor. Patience and being methodical are the keys to success, and always stop and ask questions when in doubt. The correct tools don't hurt either, check with the people here on the forum as they are quite innovative when it comes to adapting a tool to a specailized task.

If you lack the dual lines and tanks, I reccomend
putting on a couple Mikuni pumps and use modern tanks, fittings and lines, it's a more ecconomical and trouble free solution.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: How do I decide if engines are worth restoring?

Well, I would keep those motors as factory as possible. Get a bypass cover and fuel pump for a 33hp in the late 60's. No muss, no fuss and you don't have to figure out how to mount it. Single line tanks are readily available pretty much everywhere. The original pressure tanks are fine, but for two of them, you'll be looking to spend a bit for them and it's a good chance they'll need some work done on them. As for a shop manual, I wouldn't bother with the Clymers, if you don't have a lot of outboard mechanical experience. The best thing to do, is go to www.outboardbooks.com (The Ken Cook Company) and get a factory service manual.

 

[Steve A W]

Re: How do I decide if engines are worth restoring?

Mysticdoc
Here's a link to a series of articles about using old J/E motors.
He covers maintenance as well as bringing them back to life.
I learned a lot from these articles.
And if Your into boat building check out the rest of the website,it's pretty interesting.
Those motors and boat make a great combo!
Good Luck and don't be afraid to ask questions, We all started out not knowing what We were doing!
Steve A W

Oops;
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/07/columns/max/articles.htm

 

[Steve A W]

Re: How do I decide if engines are worth restoring?

ps.
Here's a link to the "Antique outboard motor collectors club"
website;
http://www.aomci.org/index.htm
There are members there that sell restored pressure tanks.
Steve A W

 

[Steve A W]

Re: How do I decide if engines are worth restoring?

Dave
Here's the link;
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/07/columns/max/articles.htm

Steve A W

 

[mysticdoc]

Re: How do I decide if engines are worth restoring?

Just a quick update-I found a local OMC enthusiast through a nearby dealer who has checked the compression of both engines (they're fine) and has agreed to help with the needed rebuilds. He's an aluminum boat fan, so barter won't be involved. He has 40 outboards and 40,000 OMC parts in his garage. He discovered that they're actually 1956 30's. We'll probably go ahead with fuel pumps since the boat didn't have any tanks when I bought it. Thanks again for all the comments and I'll eventually post pictures-don't hold your breath, though. Best wishes for happy holidays!

Dave