Need help id'ing 5.5 and value?

[eric e]

Can anyone tell me what year this is, or at least year range, and how much it weighs? The gentleman put all new

Coils
Points and condensers
Water Pump
Fuel Pump
Fuel lines
O-rings
Complete tune up

He converted it over to a fuel pump setup, and guarentees it for a year..

Anyone have any idea what it would be worth in this condition? I would be putting it on a 12 foot flatbottom.. Thanks for any help..

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Need help id'ing 5.5 and value?

That's a mid to late 1950s model. If you can give us the model number from the plate near the transom mount, we can get the exact year.

Sounds like a bunch of good work has been done on it, and the guy's offering a guarantee. That should put it right at the top value for that outboard. But what's the top value?

It depends on where you are, really. Around here, there are usually a bunch of 5.5's of that vintage for sale. I've never seen one for more than $300, and that includes some really, really nice ones. You can regularly buy decent looking ones that run well in my area, including a pressure tank, for $250.

The fuel pump conversion is a plus.

However, 60s-80s OMC 6hp models are going for just a little more than that, so keep that in mind.

Those are nice-running outboards in either case, great for small fishing boats.

Oh...weight. Somewhere between 50 and 60 lb. for all of the 5.5 and 6 hp models. I don't have the exact weight for the oldies, but the later 6hps weigh in at 58 lb. for the short shaft model.

 

[eric e]

Re: Need help id'ing 5.5 and value?

Thanks for the reply.. He is asking $250 for it. Says the paint is not chipped off the propeller, like it has not been used much.. What I am going to use it for is waterfowl hunting.. I will only use it a couple times a year, and otherwise it will be stored in my heated basement. It will be used in rainy or snow and cold weather..Would the older ones without electronic ignition be better, or the newer ones for bad weather conditions.. Thank again..

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Need help id'ing 5.5 and value?

$250 is a good price. You should have no problems with the cold weather. Those are very good outboards, easy starting, and good runners.

I imagine it will last as long as you do.

 

[eric e]

Re: Need help id'ing 5.5 and value?

Thanks again for the quick response.. How do you think the 5.5 hp rating on a motor from that year compares to a 6hp from the 90's? Someone told me the older motors hp rating was not the same as they are nowadays.. Thanks for your help..

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Need help id'ing 5.5 and value?

That motor is a 1956. It'll have less power than a 90's 6 hp. They started rating outboard hp output at the prop shaft instead of the crank during the 1980's. $250 is top dollar to me. I just sold a 1962 Evinrude 5.5 hp that I completely tuned-up and rebuilt/resealed the gearcase for $300. If he did things right, you shouldn't have any problems with that little motor.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Need help id'ing 5.5 and value?

$250 is top dollar to me. I just sold a 1962 Evinrude 5.5 hp that I completely tuned-up and rebuilt/resealed the gearcase for $300.

Wayne you need to save a good one for me for a Zodiac I may be purchasing! Ill take a restored Javelin if you got one kicking around!

 

[mchin]

Re: Need help id'ing 5.5 and value?

I have several of the OMC 5.5 and while I love them all, you should know that to change the impeller, ya have to remove the foot and the head, a lot more screws and bolts then a 80's 6 hp. Of course after having done it so many times, I have it down to a science, but it is more work then a new motor. The plus side of these motors is that they run great, and if taken care of, last a long time. Parts are also very easy to get

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Need help id'ing 5.5 and value?

Wayne you need to save a good one for me for a Zodiac I may be purchasing! Ill take a restored Javelin if you got one kicking around!

I have an unrestored 1956 Javelin just waiting for me to get at it, but its low on my priority list.

Pulling the 5.5 hp powerhead is super easy. Just 7 screws. Like mchin said you get it down to a science.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Need help id'ing 5.5 and value?

Just my opinion---
If you only use it for short distances, that is an awesome motor. I say that because it's slow. How can anyone think 250 for an incredibly reliable motor that will last 2 lifetimes would be a bad deal???
Now, MYSELF, I wouldn't pay that for it, but I like to collect them and have about a dozen, so I must confess I DO NOT need it. Don't tell my wife I said that, though.
It does have a shear pin so do a little research and ask some questions about it so you know how to use it. A 5.5hp OMC is about the most reliable motor ever built---just so you know. Especially if it has new coils.
Don't expect it to plane your boat, though--unless you weigh below 140 lbs. it's not going to happen.
And it will probably start the first or second pull on choke when it's 20 degrees outside--mine do.
Don't be scared of it because it's old. And don't get all upset when you run it in a bucket and it puts some oily crap in the water when you run it. All 2-strokes do that. If it bugs you, try the synthetic oil--it's more quickly biodegradable and doen'st make as much gunk.
Now, a guarantee for a year?? Heck, that's just crazy!!! I'd buy it just for that.
The fuel pump conversion is nice, too. You can get a cheapo walmart tank and be in business. Since you're only using it rarely, I'd take it out and run it in a trash can every so often to keep the carb clean and the water pump impeller from taking a set.
It's a good deal. Get it if you want it. And don't go out there cranking it every once in a while in the barrel in the yard just to see it run and because it's so easy to crank. I never did that with any of my new/old motors.
JBJ​

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Need help id'ing 5.5 and value?

If you only run it a couple of time a year and it is stored most of the time, use a fuel stabilizer in the gas, plus run it out of gas before you put it up. It'll keep things in the carb from getting all gunked up.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Need help id'ing 5.5 and value?

The paint scheme suggests a 1956 ERude motor. If it runs well, pumps water and has no gearbox problems, it's worth the $250. I agree with JBJ - these are great little motors. There are bound to be a couple of parts that are no longer available, but the motor shared most components with other model years, so thre are plenty of "parts motors" around to keep it going for some time. If you buy it, however, take care of your prop because those are getting scarce.

If I remember correctly from another thread here at iboats, this motor doesn't have needle bearings on the crank, so run 24:1 mix in it.