Salt Water to Fresh Water

[twink90]

We have a 1979 85HP Evinrude on a 16ft Terry Bass boat, it came from Tx and was used in the ocean. We live in MO and are going to use the boat in fresh water. If this was your engine, what would you replace, clean, change, or tune-up before you even put it in the water.

Its our first boat, and we just want to be safe, rather then sorry. Please be specific in explaining what needs to be done. We want to learn everything there is to know about keeping this engine performing at its best. If its possible we would be on the water everyday! We live 10 miles from LaCygne lake which has a hot water outlet so we could fish year round!

Thank you all so much for your help. Not sure what we would do without a forum to help you all share your wisdom with us. Just know it is appreciated!

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Salt Water to Fresh Water

The first thing I would do is replace the impeller and thermostat. While you have it apart, I would thoroughly clean the lower unit of any and all corrosion and chase the threads where all the mounting bolts go. Clean the bolts thoroughly and apply anti-seize to the bolts when you put the lower unit back on. Also, mount a zinc on the anti-cavitation plate, to help prevent any more corrosion. This here is a good start. Some others will chime in to give some other good tips.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Salt Water to Fresh Water

there is not difference in running fresh vs salt, other than flushing. if you do not know when the impeller and tstats were last seviced, i would do that.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Salt Water to Fresh Water

I have seen a lot of salt water motors and you can really tell around the TNT pump motor and the brackets underneath as well, if they have been neglected in their salt water life...

yours looks pretty clean...

I am not real experienced in motors, but i have learned a lot in the last 3 years or so.

i would change out the t-stats
the water pump kit
lower unit oil

and maybe wash the whole motor down especially inside all the tnt area



good luck

bob

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Salt Water to Fresh Water

Basically what I recemended. Thanks guys.

That is actually a pretty clean motor for being 31 years old. It looks like the previous owners kept it up pretty good.

 

[twink90]

Re: Salt Water to Fresh Water

Thank you all so much! We have alot of things to get started on. I am glad you guys thought the motor looked clean, as we did to. Seems like the boat took the most damage. The gel coat has bubbles, and flakes off when you touch it. I am off to start shopping for parts to get this engine in the water.

If only the 65mph winds would freaking stop! Gotta love KS/MO its warm, but you have to tie your animals up so they dont take flight!! If you see any shingles flying by, grab em, we just had 3 more come loose!!

 

[F_R]

Re: Salt Water to Fresh Water

Yep, I just got back from 10 days in KS. The wind blew most every day, on one day it had to be at least 50MPH. If it does that here, they claim we had a hurricane.