Need Thoughts and Opinions on a '78 35 HP Evinrude

[OCSportsman]

I am looking at purchasing a 1978 35 HP Evenrude, it is being sold with a 14ft Livingston for $1200, I m really only interested in the motor for my 15ft Smokercraft. I am a little concerned with the age, but it is the original owner selling it,and he claims it has had limited use over the last couple years. Does anything glaring jumpout at you? Is this historicly a good era for evenrudes? I have an email in to him to see if he is interested in selling just the motor,if noght I can probably put my '85 10hp Honda 4 stroke on it and get pretty close to the same asking $1200. Here are a couple pics under the hood.

Thanks for the info.

OC

 

[nphilbro]

Re: Need Thoughts and Opinions on a '78 35 HP Evinrude

I can't speak to the quality of the vintage but that is incredibly clean...too clean? Was this rebuilt at some point? The screws are completely rusted but the bolts don't have any scratches. It seems like a gasket should have gone out somewhere at some point or something should have happened where the engine needed to be opened up - so was this repainted? I don't know if that affects the quality or not, but that's my observation.

 

[F_R]

Re: Need Thoughts and Opinions on a '78 35 HP Evinrude

That is a very nice looking motor. But there was a major problem with the 35hp motors 1976-79. Due to the location of the water pickup holes in the front of the gearcase, they would get obstructed if you got anywhere near water weeds. That resulted in destruction of the pistons due to overheating. The water intake was moved to the sides of the gearcase in 1980, and the 35hp became one of my favorite motors.

Having said that, I don't see any evidence of burnt paint on the powerhead, so it may be ok. However, a compression test would be manditory if I were buying it.

Summing up, if you boat in an area that has pristine lakes with no weeds problem, ok. If you are in Florida with weed choked lakes, don't even think about it.

 

[OCSportsman]

Re: Need Thoughts and Opinions on a '78 35 HP Evinrude

Thanks for the input. Owner says he routinely had it serviced, and winterized through a shop annually before storing in his shop for the winter. This motor in most cases will be used in free flowing Oregon rivers, and then a trolling motor used the rest of the time, so weeds shouldn't be an issue.

 

[kodibass]

Re: Need Thoughts and Opinions on a '78 35 HP Evinrude

If compression checks out ok, the the following would be cons as I see it, given the age of the motor and from the photo' s It looks as if the vac and fuel lines are probably factory original, (hose clips, paint etc.) and are due for replacing the fuel pump may fall into this category also. If you can remove prop and look for oil residue, fishing line, string etc. that may have chewed up the rear seal, Will you be able to here it run at all before buying? Also fined out what fuel mix & brands he has used for the motor (tcw3??? does it shift nice and clean? any shift handle play/slop? How does the carb rev" Smoothly? from a quick rev to idle position, good slow idle no sneezing or hic-ups? how does she pump the all important cooling water, good heavy discharge or trickle trickle. under the hood there should be a foam liner to dampen noise, is it clean soft and spongy? are there any heavy black stains on this foam near the front-top? I recommend you do a quick check list of what to ask/ look for this whole process takes me less than 10 min. Pros right of the bat'' engine was a one owner, has the toothed flywheel would be easy to convert to electric start if desired, engine appears clean, and things seem to be in there factory placed positions. good luck & keep us posted.

 

[OCSportsman]

Re: Need Thoughts and Opinions on a '78 35 HP Evinrude

Thanks for the input everyone, I am going to pass on it. I found out the previous trailer broke at the tongue and in turn the skeg was completely ground off. I'm not really interested in doing a top to bottom rebuild.