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

Berdink

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 5, 2020
Messages
295
Because I had no idea the pin that holds the clutch dog in place was about to come out and chew up my gears in my 84 Suzuki, I'm asking sellers if everything else checks out, and I'm a serious buyer, would they be willing to let me open up the lower unit. If all is good in there, I'll buy it.
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Do you guys think that's an unreasonable ask?
 

matt167

Rear Admiral
Joined
Sep 27, 2012
Messages
4,411
Because I had no idea the pin that holds the clutch dog in place was about to come out and chew up my gears in my 84 Suzuki, I'm asking sellers if everything else checks out, and I'm a serious buyer, would they be willing to let me open up the lower unit. If all is good in there, I'll buy it.
.
Do you guys think that's an unreasonable ask?
I would say probably. That’s a major risk and liability for them should you not take it
 

saltchuckmatt

Captain
Joined
Jul 19, 2019
Messages
3,243
Odds are in your favor if someone is selling a motor or just a gearcase it's probably not bad. If it sounds and smells fishy...that's all you need to know.

No one would probably deny you a quick vac test....compression...yada yada
 

Berdink

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 5, 2020
Messages
295
Can I expand my search to the 1990's. Do carbed 90's still have good parts availability?
What years from 1979 up of the 70hp still use carbs and still have a good user base?
 

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
15,276
where are you located> If we know we can help because some of us are old bored people and many of the others know way more than I do. Many of us also travel a few times a year for many driving hours in various directions and those people then also come with 'references' of past help of members.

So, i travel to SWMO from Middle TN and can haul 2k behind my little tdi...
 

racerone

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 28, 2013
Messages
39,688
Many parts for the older 2 stroke OMC motors are easier to get / find than many " modern " offshore motors.
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,873
Gee, stick with a 90s or 2K 2 cycle OB, before the sophisticated electronics, fuel injection, direct injection etc. They are simple and perfected. My '98 Johnny 60* V6 is the pinnacle of 2 cycle multi cylinder engines IMHO. It has loop injection, 6 carbs or 3 triple throat carbs, depending on definition. It has good oil injection but burns a lot of fuel. It is powerful and runs great. Any issue is usually simple to diagnose and fix.

70s and 80s motors tend to be crossflow and are pretty long in the tooth for parts.
 
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