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

[oldboat1]

I might do it for $30 or so, but I see some parts there. Might be worth that to you for something to tinker with (winter project). Owner's probably got some extra parts -- carb needles and such, tank and bulb/lines, maybe more. Never know.

 

[mofo83]

Yeah MTboatguy, I realize now this isn't ideal timing, so I'll just take my time to find one that's nice but also in my price range. If it doesn't happen this season, so be it!

Hey, here's another thing I forgot to mention ? ideally this motor will be quite portable. I'll be throwing it in the back of my Forester when we head to the lake. Will pretty much any 6-8 horse motor allow for this? I may make a "motor box" to carry it in, like Dekker did here... though mine won't look half as professional haha:

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gene...ne-topics/9999141-boating-with-travel-trailer

 

[oldboat1]

or....might consider getting a folding 3 1/2 with a case for travel trips.

 

[JimS123]

or....might consider getting a folding 3 1/2 with a case for travel trips.

Yeah, if you're a collector and have to have one. As a daily driver you might just as well buy a new one. The '60's folders are worth their weight in gold.

 

[oldboat1]

true. A lot of speculation out there. I bought a good runner without a case, though, for about $300 a couple of years ago from a local seller. Have to check but think it's a '64. Was curious. They seem to be as easy to maintain as the non-folders. (3-4 hp might be a little small for planned uses, though.) Need different motors for different uses IMO, but may not be a completely normal approach...or sane.

 

[64osby]

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

That is a 1958 7.5hp Evinrude. Very solid motor and easy to fix. Would cost less then $100 to make it run like new as long as the lower unit gears are in good shape.

And Yes, you could part it out for more.

There are many here who helped me with the first couple motors I revived.

 

[oldboat1]

saw 64osby's post, and took another look -- still would be curious enough to take a flyer on it. guy probably got it at a garage sale or had it given to him -- would offer him $30. think it's one of those "hybrids". powerhead looks like maybe a '60s. takes a t.stat. transom handle looks like a '57/'58. probably have to pull the powerhead to change the impeller (like '57 7 1/2, and later ones too -- '90 4 deluxe I once had). no big deal, but might seem like a lot the first time through. If I see correctly, it's got a two hose connector (tank side) in place -- pretty expensive little item if you have to get one. will need a pressure tank, appears. (got to ask him for a pressure tank, and grimace if he doesn't have one....) He's just trying to flip it. See if it pulls over, then see if you can feel some compression like pulling over your lawn mower. love this stuff. Ask where he got it....

 

[64osby]

ob1 - nice job picking up the pressure take fitting. I forgot about that.

But I also have a couple tanks laying around too. I have converted a 7.5, a 10 and an 18 to single line with no issues. Not hard to do at all.

 

[oldboat1]

yup. agree. Strikes me that this thing might not even have a fuel hookup (maybe has a fuel pump in place on the other side). What would really be interesting is an attempt to convert a later powerhead to two-line/pressure tank. Just all kinds of possibilities. mofo, think you need that motor -- fix it as an online project over the winter. Get it cheap.

 

[mofo83]

Ha, it's a bit of a drive, but if they'll accept a real lowball offer, maybe I'll drive down there! Sounds like a fun winter project, at the very least.

Another development: I checked out the transom more closely this weekend and noticed there were actually some etchings done directly onto the metal, instead of a separate plate: a serial number, and a max motor HP, which is actually 7.5. Does this mean I should definitely stay at 7.5 or 8, or is 10 still in play?

Thanks

 

[oldboat1]

Yeah, have to be able to walk away from it, and Auburn kind of a hike.... but good tinker material, and could turn out to be a runner. Those etchings are the specs for the hull. would be meaningful if you get stopped, presumably, or run over a rower. 3-5 hp will do the job. 7 1/2 will feel fast. Auburn motor appears to be a 7 1/2 -- or part of it.

[edit. can have too small a garage, but not too many motors.]

 

[mofo83]

Here's another that needs some TLC. Would a standard replacement of the carb come with a new "idle needle" or is this "drilling" he did a bigger, separate issue? (I definitely feel like I could handle replacing the carb if that's all it needs.) This one's been listed for awhile so I'm wondering if he'd take a low offer...


http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bpo/5170065091.html

 

[oldboat1]

sure seem to have a lot of frankenmotors. would likely need a new carb for that one, which you can find and rebuild -- keep the old one for parts. Look at the tower on the back. That's the thermostat housing, and it looks to be buggered up with salt water running. That little triangular cover is hard to seal up, in my experience, which may be what you are seeing too. Chances are the t.stat is either removed or corroded up. Gasket for that is a thick one -- need the right one.

needs maybe $100 in parts, at a guess. Again, have to get it very cheap.

 

[Guest]

Sounds to me like you should be looking at a Johnson or Evinrude 6 hp motor. These engines are solid and dependable. They've been around since 1965 up through the 70's and 80"s and its a good bet that most are still purring along today. Parts are easy to get and really doesn't matter what "year" you get since they are pretty much all the same. You get full F-N-R gear shift and a separate 3 gallon tank (A six gallon will take you to Peru and back!) Try to find one that was used in freshwater too although it really doesn't matter. I see them on ebay alot.

 

[mofo83]

Now I'm talking with a guy about a 1973 Johnson Seahorse 4 HP that was "rebuilt" by his uncle in 2007. Looks VERY nice and clean.

Problem is, the guy doesn't have a tank or a fuel line. Of course, he says it ran recently... but who knows.

So... how cheap would it have to be for you to buy a motor that you can't see run?



Thanks again!

 

[64osby]

A motor that doesn't run or can't be seen running is a parts motor. Even if is a good running motor there is no proof. I wouldn't pay more then $50 for a motor like that.

CL sellers are not to be trusted.

First motor I ever bought was a 5hp sea king. Bought it for $35. Owner swore it ran good. Brought it home and started tinkering after finding a tank. Turns out it did run, but the seller didn't mention that someone had tried to pull the block apart at one point. They forgot about the screw behind the reed plate. They had wedged a screw driver in between the faces of the block. The block would leak and have an occasional puff of smoke at that point. Still have the motor. It will be used for parts or maybe someday I actually fix it.

 

[oldboat1]

Here: Aug 16 Evinrude $140 (port orchard) [x]. '57 Evinrude 7 1/2 with pressure tank, seller says will run it for you. Looks complete (missing a choke knob.) I would buy it for $100-125, and consider it a decent deal for a runner. To replace the water pump, you will need to remove the powerhead which is easy on that model. Powerful motor (have one, with a 5 1/2 and a 10). That tank is a matching tank ('57). Grab a ferry and go look.:joyous:

 

[mofo83]

I saw that one Oldboat1, but thanks for singling it out!

Quite a drive... plus, I was worried the prop was so beat up, and it seems like new ones are pricy, no?

 

[ondarvr]

The prop looks fine.

 

[mofo83]

Shows you what I know about props!