Is this engine worth keeping? What is it?

Marguerite

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Joined
Apr 17, 2009
Messages
1
I have this very old boat motor in my garage. My neighbor says it is a 2 stroke and that it has compression. I have the following numbers from it, and that is all I know. Should I put it in a yard sale or take it to the dump?

Johnson Sea Horse
ser# 574301
MQD TD20

I'm not a motor person, so I'd appreciate any help I can get. If I take it to the dump, it costs me money. If I put it in a yard sale, I don't have to pay that money and maybe I could even make a few bucks! But, I don't want to sell it if it's just junk. I don't even know how many horsepower it is or what year it was made in. Or where it came from. Thanks! :confused:
 

saumon

Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
1,452
Re: Is this engine worth keeping? What is it?

TD20 gives a 5hp from 1946-1949.
 

wbeaton

Commander
Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Messages
2,332
Re: Is this engine worth keeping? What is it?

Your motor was built in 1947 according to the serial number. The TD is the middle incarnation of the T series motors. It is a fine motor, but lacks the desirable neutral clutch of the later TN. Don't send it to the scrap yard. Someone will give it a home. At the very least, give it away to someone who will appreciate it. That won't cost you anything.

The motor is not junk, but it also doesn't have much value. Place a free ad online and someone will buy it. You can place a free ad at aomci.org where collectors will see it. Since its not running and you don't know much about motors I doubt you will see more than $50 for it. If fact, those motors are so plentiful where I live they are hard to sell. I wouldn't pay more than $25 for one. However, where you live it may be more valuable.
 

Vlad D Impeller

Commander
Joined
Mar 30, 2005
Messages
2,644
Re: Is this engine worth keeping? What is it?

One way to get rid of something like that would be to donate it to your nearest trade school if they will have it.
 

saumon

Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
1,452
Re: Is this engine worth keeping? What is it?

One way to get rid of something like that would be to donate it to your nearest trade school if they will have it.

Another is to put it in front of your driveway with a "For sale" sign on it. You won't hear or see anything and it won't be there the next morning! ;)
 

freddyray21

Commander
Joined
Jun 10, 2006
Messages
2,460
Re: Is this engine worth keeping? What is it?

I got one free at a meet (aomci) last fall. They are very plentiful and not to valuable. Maybe 20 dollars it its' all there.
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,398
Re: Is this engine worth keeping? What is it?

I have this very old boat motor in my garage. My neighbor says it is a 2 stroke and that it has compression. I have the following numbers from it, and that is all I know. Should I put it in a yard sale or take it to the dump?

Johnson Sea Horse
ser# 574301
MQD TD20

I'm not a motor person, so I'd appreciate any help I can get. If I take it to the dump, it costs me money. If I put it in a yard sale, I don't have to pay that money and maybe I could even make a few bucks! But, I don't want to sell it if it's just junk. I don't even know how many horsepower it is or what year it was made in. Or where it came from. Thanks! :confused:

Welcome to iboats.
Could be a great project motor for either yourself or someone you know. If you make it "pretty" and get it running it could be worth a lot more to someone. If not then give it away and save the dumping fee. I would certainly take it if someone around here was giving it away.
Some photos of it would be great.
 
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