Late 70's to Late 80's - Worth shopping for?

[Berdink]

Hello,
My 84 Suzuki 75hp lower unit is now shot.
Parts support is dead.
.
I'm shopping for a used 50hp to 70hp outboard for my 1967 StarCraft.
.
I'm reading that a Late 70's to Late 80's Johnson/Evinrude has a lots of parts available. Used, NOS and aftermarket.
.
I'm good with a wrench.
.
Am I thinking right. Some friends tell me to buy something newer.

 

[matt167]

Stuff is available and currently not expensive. The OEM stuff will soon fade away though as BRP quit making Evinrude stuff. They will eventually no longer be interested in making the parts. Sierra and others should stay around for the foreseeable future

 

[airshot]

You will need to look far and wide, but they are out there. There are some nice used motors if your willing to shop hard, drive long distances, be ready to buy when one shows up. Might have to buy a donor bought to get an engine. Drove 200 more less each way when I bought my like new old boat and motor after shopping for over 4 months and lots of wild goose chases.
Good luck.....

 

[saltchuckmatt]

I would get a mid 80's 70hp JohnnyRude. Excellent motor. In my area there is plenty.

IMHO, it's way better than a 50

Starcrafts are good boats and it can handle it. Better to be slightly over power than to be under.

 

[redneck joe]

how big / what model of starcraft?

 

[racerone]

The late 70 / 80's model 3 / 4 cylinder OMC are excellent.----Pick one up for $500 or less to rebuild.----You would no longer worry about $100+ / hr shop support or $10,000 + for a new motor.

 

[Berdink]

how big / what model of starcraft?

It's a 18 foot Holiday

 

[redneck joe]

I'd go 4cyl. iirc that has a 115 max? I have not taken my own advice yet but my 115 max has a 50 on it. For me and a plus one on my small 3500 acre late it is fine however should a 90 to a 115 fall into my lap...

 

[Crosbyman]

just a word of caution on overpowering. It may certainly work fine but Insurance companies will look for any OUT if a risk (overpowering) was not communicated to them and a claim for liability or loss is made...!

remember " REFUSE - DENY- LITTIGATE IN COURT !!"

just saying.

 

[jbcurt00]

I think the 18ft Holiday was 120-140hp max.

 

[Berdink]

I'm pretty settled on a 70hp.
I'm not trying to go fast.
For everything I do, 20mph on plane is all I need. My current 1984 2-stroke Suzuki 75hp feels a little heavy on my boat, but it gives me way more speed than I ever need.

 

[redneck joe]

understood as I have the fifty on a 115 max, just don't blindfold yourself. I believe mid 80s back a few years had an 85, 90 100, 115 and 140 (experts will correct me) all in the v4 which i feel is a well tested over time power plant so keep an open mind.

if you find a gem 20 hp more than you want, just dont use it when on the water. prob solved but it gives you much more opportunity for success on a motor swap.

 

[Berdink]

If you guys were to create a list for easy to work on and good major parts availability, would the mid 70's to early 90's at 70hp be at the top?
Would the 90hp be number 2?
.
Just using Google, that's what I'm coming up with.
.
Basically, I want an outboard like a first or second generation Small Block Chevy (SBC).
Easy easy to work on and huge parts availability.
.
Thanks for all the posts. It's helping a lot. Some of you know me from over in the StarCraft forum.
I'm mechanically capable, I'm just new to boats.

 

[Berdink]

My friends keep recommending newer ones. Mercury Optimax? Fuel injection? Maybe I'm not realistic, but I really rather not have a motor that I have to rely on a shop to repair.
Shops are so over the top expensive anymore, and so many times it takes multiple visits to get it right.

 

[Nordin]

If you can and will work on the engine I would go for OMC or Mercury engines from late 70.es and up until late 90.es.
Newer engines from 2000 and up with fuel injection and more electronic stuff for the ignition and fuel system, then you need to have computer, special cables and software to troubleshoot.
Old school ignition such as magneto with points or electronic CDI box/switchbox and regular carbs, then you can do most of the troubleshooting by your self.

 

[redneck joe]

i pay for most work on the engine, but it is cheap because it is an 82.

 

[Berdink]

A friend sent me a link to a 1998 Evinrude 115.
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This is what I get when I Google that 115.
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"A 1998 Evinrude 115 with fuel injection (the early FICHT system) is generally considered a high-risk motor. While the power and concept were great, this specific first-generation fuel-injected engine is notorious for reliability issues and is widely avoided by experienced boaters."

 

[Crosbyman]

all true and no mecanic wants to touch them in lots of regions orsimply do not know how to fix them...

 

[jimmbo]

I believe mid 80s back a few years had an 85, 90 100, 115 and 140 (experts will correct me) all in the v4 which i feel is a well tested over time power plant so keep an open mind.

In 1978 and 79, OMC had 99 cubic inch 85, 100, 115, and 140 V4 Motors.
In 1980 thru 1984, they were 90, 115, and 140 Motors.
In 1985, the V4 Loopers were introduced, these V4 were called 120 and 140hp, the 99in Crossflow V4s were 90, 115hp. As the 80s went along, theses engines were also called 88, 100, 110, 112.

 

[jimmbo]

.
"A 1998 Evinrude 115 with fuel injection (the early FICHT system) is generally considered a high-risk motor. While the power and concept were great, this specific first-generation fuel-injected engine is notorious for reliability issues and is widely avoided by experienced boaters."

The 115 FICHT wasn't as High Risk as the 1997, 98, and 99 150/175 FICHTs