Motorized Anchor

[luv2b0at]

I obtained a 10HP four stroke on a boat I purchased from my step father. It was supposed to be a back-up motor for a 21' tri-hull. The first time he tested it, it broke itself off the improvised motor bracket (the swim step) and went into the drink (San Francisco Bay) . He had a safety chain on it and he got it out. He cannot remember if it was running when it went under water. The starter motor was corroded/frozen. What can I do to see if this thing is worth buying a new starter (>$200)? Should I be able to start it with the emergency pull start to check it?

 

[sschefer]

Re: Motorized Anchor

What's the make and year.

 

[luv2b0at]

Re: Motorized Anchor

Why does the make and year matter? What kids of things do I look for in an outboard that was running when it fell into the sea?

 

[jimg984]

Re: Motorized Anchor

How many kids were in the boat?

 

[sschefer]

Re: Motorized Anchor

Why does the make and year matter? What kids of things do I look for in an outboard that was running when it fell into the sea?

Well for one thing, you've qualified that it is in fact an outboard and not a motorized anchor. If you tell me the make and year I can tell you if you can pull start it or not and if I can find you a cheaper starter motor.

So what do you look for? The first thing you don't do is to try and start it.

Pull the plugs, drain the oil, flush the crank case with Marvel Mystery Oil, fill the crank case with 10w-30 detergent motor oil, add 1/4 pint of Marvel Mystery Oil, crank engine by hand a few times, Drain the oil, change the filter and replace the oil with whatever the manufacturer of your motor recommends.

That may get you a buy on a tear down if it didn't spit water out of the cylinders. If it spit water and the corrosion on the outside is significant you can rest assured that the cylinders, valves, rings and pistons are damaged by now. You won't know how badly until you tear it down. The entire fuel system needs to be torn down, cleaned and inspected also.

Its a shame, if you'd gotten to it right a way you probably could have gotten by with just pulling the plugs, pumping the water out and changing the oil.

 

[luv2b0at]

Re: Motorized Anchor

The"motorized Anchor" was sarcasm...

 

[luv2b0at]

Re: Motorized Anchor

I have taken a more thorough check and a call to the previous owner, the motor was not running when it fell/broke off. There is very minimal corrosion to anything on the motor. The top of the flywheel that was under the plastic cover has some, but it very minimal and only on the surface. I removed the plugs and looked inside the cylinders with a bore scope and there is no corrosion at all. The plugs were clean and had a touch of oil on them. I removed the oil fill plug and everything inside is very clean. There is no indication of water in the tank nor on the dip stick. There is a fuse at the front of the motor that is missing. Can you tell me what amperage it should be? Also, in other research I have read in several places that I should be able to put a carburetor from a 15 HP on this to goose up the HP. Is that true?

 

[sschefer]

Re: Motorized Anchor

Great, sounds like it's a survivor! Go ahead and change all the fluids per the manual (Seloc manuals are easily attainable and you should have one).

As for carbing it up. There are plenty of posts on here about that. The general concensous is no. But, I sure hear a lot of guys talking about doing it so I dunno. The only real way to check it would be to do it and then dyno it afterwards.

Personally, there are some top notch mechanics on this board and if they say no, I believe them.