(Possibly stupid) questions about motor for 12-foot aluminum boat, from a rookie...

[64osby]

The one made into a helmet in the last picture is not for sale. Picture is displayed to show a use for it besides an outboard cover.

Comic com any one. :facepalm:

 

[64osby]

I have 5 running motors that are '56 - 58. All have been brought back to good running condition with a little effort each one for less then your budget

I like the simplicity of the older JohnnyRudes. They are simple to trouble shoot and simple to repair.

IMO a non running outboard has a value of $100 or less. Three of my runners have cost $25. $100 in parts and a few (10) hours of work can get you on the water.

 

[mofo83]

So I shouldn't shy away from something of this age: http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/bpo/5165014422.html

Also, what about Sears (Tecumseh?) Gamefisher motors? Also a lot of those around...

Thanks

 

[ondarvr]

That motor might be OK, they hold up well. As far the other brands you mentioned, just don't even go there, erase them from your vocabulary, stick with Merc and J/E's in that price range.

 

[mofo83]

Haha, got it.

 

[oldboat1]

interesting. Bremerton CL posting is instructive too -- may be a good motor, but it's a '58 on the face of it. will run in a bucket, he says. Kind of typical find/ad -- could be a good motor. There is a buyers learning curve (upping the ante a couple hundred dollars isn't going to do much -- can spend $2K on a used motor, and still have to know what you are doing). Maybe best to buy from a dealer the first time. That '56/'58 takes a pressure tank if original, btw -- fine with me, but might be a surprise. If you bought a running early to mid '60s motor, you might be more comfortable (get a new plastic tank).

When you go shopping, think I would start with a dealer or marina and see what they have first and ask questions.

[late summer/fall is a good time to shop.]

 

[ondarvr]

The pics show it has been converted to a fuel pump with a single fuel line already.

 

[oldboat1]

good eye, ondarvr. That would be a flag for me -- not because it's converted, but lots of bad conversions.

 

[mofo83]

Curious about another thing I'm seeing a lot of: "Starts right up with a shot of ether/starting fluid."

Is this a BIG red flag, or a little red flag? E.g., does it mean the motor needs a tune up, or is it a sign of something worse?

 

[oldboat1]

not sure if that's a flag or not -- says the motor hasn't been run much, I guess. Let's see, might also say that the seller is trying to flip a motor ("barn find" is another favorite).

 

[ondarvr]

Starting fluid is a bad sign, it means either the carb(s) is dirty, choke doesn't work, somethings out of adjustment, or the compression is so low its having a difficult time running. People that use starting fluid all the time don't know much about the motor and typically don't do much maintenance either.

Starting fluid can also be bad for a 2 stroke, most of the stuff for sale doesn't have any oil in it, so if you use it repeatedly the motor may be damaged.

 

[oldboat1]

"grandpa's motor". (somebody's grandpa, presumably) Think CL and Ebay shopping is half the fun (but dealer or marina might be a little safer for first purchase). I take a compression tester with me to "the barn", and a spark tester.

 

[oldboat1]

mofo83 -- If in the Seattle area (that CL listing you reference), there used to be an old fashioned shop in West Seattle that might be a good source for shopping. Whole area is prime, of course. You might be on the lookout for salt water corrosion. Good to ask about use (harder to work on salty motors). Might check out Bellevue, areas around L. Washington, N. Seattle -- stuff like that. All good fun.

 

[60sboater]

Guy are right to go with a Mercury or OMC because so many were made and parts,new ans used,are plentiful. Both types will run well if in good condition and kept serviced. Let us know what you get.

 

[mofo83]

Thanks for the heads-up oldboat1, I wonder if this is the shop you're referring to (though it looks like they've moved to Lynnwood, which is actually better for me!)

http://www.seawaymarine.com/

Looks like a great resource for older parts... or some advice if I get into trouble with some repairs, hehe.

 

[oldboat1]

Yup. Thanks, mofo. That's the shop! They were good.

 

[mofo83]

What do y'all think about this mystery motor? It looks like it's probably a 4 to 9.9 horse or so, right?

I mean... I'm guessing odds are not great that a rookie like myself could get it running again, BUT, for $60 or whatever I could get it for, it seems like if it didn't work out, I could sell it again for parts, for at least that much?

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/bpo/5171494748.html

Then again, I could take that $60 and put it toward something that already runs and actually get to boat in the foreseeable future!

 

[ondarvr]

It doesn't run and neither he nor you know why. If you were someone very familiar with this series of OB and knew what you were looking at, it might be OK. But at this point you don't know if it just needs new spark plugs or a complete rebuild. Sometimes it's simple, more often than not it will take time and money to get it running well enough to use.

 

[mofo83]

That's what I was thinking... but thought I'd throw it up here in case somebody thought it was worth a shot!

 

[MTboatguy]

I would keep an eye out for a 7.5 Mercury or a 8 hp Johnson/Evinrude, there are a lot of them out there, one thing you need to realized, you are looking for a motor at the worst time of the year right?