No longer available?

[Skidz]

Recently bought a 93 M40C. Runs great, with good compression and a strong tell tale, LU fluid was clear. Was a much needed upgrade from my Johnson 25. Here's the kicker. Did a bit of research prior to buying the motor, and the vast majority seemed positive. But, after digging deeper, I'm beginning to wonder if I made a mistake. I keep seeing folks talking about NLA parts, and how it would have been better to avoid an older OB. Coming from an OMC, I'm used to seeing parts available for very old engines, and folks take pride in keeping them running. Reading here, that certainly doesn't seem to be the case. I am thinking that maybe I should dump this before it becomes something I can't repair.

Or am I over-reacting? Will parts for this OB be available for quite a while to come? Or should I just stock up on impellers and such consumables now?

Thanks,
Skidz

 

[pvanv]

Re: No longer available?

The 40C was replaced by the 40D a couple of decades ago. Then the 2-strokes were phased-out for TLDI and 4-stroke models a decade ago, thanks to the EPA. So, from a product lifecycle standpoint, you are at the tail end of what is runnable and maintainable; two full generations behind what is current. That said, all the typical maintenance items are still available:

Water pump repair kit. Includes all parts needed to replace water pump.
Fits:
25C2 & 25C3 2-stroke models
30A3 & 30A4 2-stroke models
40C 2-stroke model
Part # 361873220M
List Price (MSRP): $69.50

Carburetor repair kit. Kit includes gaskets, float & needle valve.
Fits:
40C 2-stroke model.
Part # 345871223M
List Price (MSRP): $52.13

The LU gasket kit is still available:
361873210M
LOWER UNIT GASKET SET 40C
$28.97

Also, the powerhead can still be torn down and reassembled:
361871213M
POWER HEAD GASKET SET
$48.27

If you the have external coil setup, the CD is also still on the shelf:
361060601M
C.D. IGNITION UNIT (CU2503)-FOR EXTERNAL COIL ONLY
$290.48

And so is the siamese coil:
361060401M
IGNITION COIL ASSY
$91.77

And the magneto plate (with coils) is available:
3A0060020M
COIL PLATE ***'Y
$399.43

How long will "everything" be available? That depends on parts demand. Once the manufacturing subcontractors stop producing bits (due to low demand), you will be out of luck. Also, if you trash a connecting rod, etc., it will be uneconomical to repair. But as long as you own it, and it's healthy, the 40C was one of the best motors made, and won many racing competitions. It would be a good idea to have a couple of wp and carb kits, as long as you keep them in ziplock bags in a drawer to stop them from drying out. Right now, you got an old motor at a good price, and it's working. The cost to go brand new can be an eye-opener. Here in the Great Lakes, with cold, fresh water, and a short season, our outboards last "forever". But that's not how the rest of the world, with the warm, corrosive, salt environment works.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: No longer available?

The 40 C is still being manufactured for the rest of the world so parts availability is not an issue. What is an issue is that the cost to replace some parts with newer replacement parts can exceed the value of the engine.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: No longer available?

Yeap, 40 is still on C ending, at least same engines factory delivered to us are 40C and parts still available to rest of the world. As always say, if you plan to maintain an oldie you must stock several principal parts, better to have them on the shefl and don't need them, the worst is to wait untill a spare is needed, years can pass to find to be NLA. You could buy a cheap damaged same model engine to have all electrical + mechanical costly parts available at hand just in case.

Happy Boating

 

[Skidz]

Re: No longer available?

Thanks guys, I appreciate the information.