Question on engine

[chuckndiscs]

So I'm continuing my motor replacement hunt... The starchief was a WRECK So I passed now working on this one...

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/boa/1940473980.html

Were at 650.00. I'm mostly considering the 90 HP for my 16 foot SS BUT I may just consider keeping the 18.5 ft and run the 90 HP on it....BUT ( and here is the kicker) the Johnson has compression low in one cylinder ( 115 - 120 in 3 and 75 in low one). Current owner states he has run it this way for 2 years. Says he had it looked at 2 years ago by marine mechanic and after learning 800 - 1200.00 to fix, he just kept running it. Claims he gets WOT, pulls skiers, and has no issues.... TOO BELIEVE or NOT TOO BELIEVE or TO BUY OR NOT TOO BUY??? My common sense says RUN but something keeps pulling me back...

ChuckNDiscs

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Question on engine

get him to take you to the lake and test run it. Then decide.

 

[Rudi2]

Re: Question on engine

Well i'm certainly no expert,so...
The standard is 10-15% difference in comp. you've got one cylinder that's what, about 30% off. I don't doubt the engine would run like that, and I don't doubt that he's used it that way for 2 years. But your power output will suffer a bit, and you gotta wonder how long it'll last, maybe another 2 years, maybe 2 weeks, maybe as long as you have it. There was a discussion like this on another forum, a fellow bought an engine that crapped out on him shortly after he bought it and did some work to it. -- You just never know when buying used stuff, we just all take a chance that it'll work out. But ay $650 the price sounds right, and the boat looks pretty decent, so it pretty much depends on how you feel about it. Good luck , whichever way you go.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Question on engine

Rudi 2 good advise

 

[fshngho]

Re: Question on engine

Its a gamble and your decision. Rudi has it right when he said anything you buy used is taking a chance. Is the money you may/may not save worth it?
Personally I look at it this way, I want a nice, good looking boat that is comfortable, handles water good and fishes well. But the most important thing is reliability. You can't row these things and electric motors won't help if your "out there". You can't get out & walk back. If I were to get the boat, I would put new rings or sleeve that one cylinder. Just my 2 cents.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Question on engine

FACT: there's way more than $650 worth of stuff there.

Now that that's out of the way.....Do you have a mechanic that you trust to take a look at it and see what's doin' with with that cylinder? Maybe even a decarb would bring it up. I have that same motor and it runs like scalded ape.

 

[chuckndiscs]

Re: Question on engine

FACT: there's way more than $650 worth of stuff there.

Now that that's out of the way.....Do you have a mechanic that you trust to take a look at it and see what's doin' with with that cylinder? Maybe even a decarb would bring it up. I have that same motor and it runs like scalded ape.

Thanks for the weighing in...exactly what I was looking for. I know in the end it's my call and all used is a risk but I was tossing in my head so bad I needed some fresh views, thanks! I don't have a trusted mechanic yet but Michigan ain't that far!

Please define "scalded ape"?

 

[barato]

Re: Question on engine

gotta agree with Fishngho yet again, esp if you plan to fish Grt Lks or other big water. i've seen the most amazing piles of **** that still kept running, til the moment they didn't.

plus running a motor with one cyl way down on compression works the other cylinders harder, causes more vibration, and IMHO is rough on crank bearings due to uneven loadings. i'd at least re-ring it. the parts you might be replacing if you do full rebuild are: gasket set; pistons/rings/wrist pins; needle bearings on crankshaft; ditto on conn rods; and cranskshaft seals. not too much stuff, likely 6-800 total plus labor. if you get boat for 650, you could still come in under 1500 all told.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Question on engine

It seems to me that what you are buying there is a good hull, trailer, and a nice kicker bracket. Like EZ says, that alone is worth $650.

I bought my rig with a 80hp that has issues knowing that I was REALLY paying for the hull, trailer and my CMC trim/tilt bracket and I was fine with that.

I may have gotten a mediocre season(maybe 70% power) out of the motor but I've known all along I will be repowering at some point(my compression is not perfect on at least one cyclinder as well).

A good solution is to see if it runs, recheck compression and maybe part out the motor to raise cash for a replacement.

Good luck!

 

[chuckndiscs]

Re: Question on engine

Ok on too next donor boat for the motor...

Here it is: http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/boa/1937966983.html

It has a broken shift cable.... How hard is it to find a replacement cable? Is it interchangeable w/ Johnsons of same years? Are Javelins generally easy to find parts for seeing as they are OMC motors?

Cam I test shifting at the motor by not using cable (as it's broken)????


Thanks again y'all!!!

ChucknDiscs

 

[chuckndiscs]

Re: Question on engine

We now suspend all Starcraft work in the Minnesota area to watch The Vikes WHIP the saints! SKOALLLLLLl Vikes!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Question on engine

Javelin is nothing but a sticker so no worries there. Throttle cables are so easy even I can do it and don't cost much.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Question on engine

Vikes-- cry baby Bret- In your dreams as the Saints come marching in.

 

[chuckndiscs]

Re: Question on engine

Vikes-- cry baby Bret- In your dreams as the Saints come marching in.

Oh no puget! Tell me your from NO or I might lose faith... The saints are a joke!

 

[fshngho]

Re: Question on engine

Yes you can shift gear at the motor. Use extreme caution if you try it in the water

Chuck, sorry about the game

Puge, congrats on the game

I really don't care, SWMBO is a Skins fan...nuff' said
Boating is my sport

 

[barato]

Re: Question on engine

seems like it would be an act of mercy to save that motor from that ugly arse boat.

you the man, ho.....i'm a coward and just leave it in neutral when i'm in the water. and i'm with you, i could care less about overpaid guys in spandex running around a lawn with lines; i'd rather watch video of birds working over a school of fish.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Question on engine

At the Game end did you see how Old Bret Favre looked. OMG. Favre from afar now that makes sense. I saw N.O. once on tv. After katrina.