SOLO outboard motor

[Dizz]

I just bought a old motor that I will pick up maybe Sunday,haven`t heard of the brand ,and I haven`t seen it yet.it is a SOLO 6 or 6.5HP single cylinder motor,no reverse,probally air cooled.No idea if he ran carb dry,or put fresh gas in,but I`m thinking probally not.Gas tank on top,label ask to mix oil 100/1 . Boy that I got it from said it`s probally early 80`s vintage,ran fine,let it sit 2 years,than it was hard to start but ran fine after started.Then it has sit for 6 yrs since,no attempt to start.

first thing I thinking is stopped up carb.I wondering if any parts would be availavle for this old motor,its been in a outbuilding,and I`m hoping piston is not locked up.
any thoughts or imfo would be appreciated.
May not be back on line till morning.
Regards,Dizz

 

[steelespike]

Re: SOLO outboard motor

Don't have a clue on the brand.Could be Eska or Clinton if built here.
You may have the same trouble they had with the OMC motors at 100:1.
Internal corrosion when they sit a lot.I think I would run 50:1.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: SOLO outboard motor

I couldn't find anything about a SOLO brand outboard motor. Take the cover off and see if you can find a tag on the engine block or any other markings. It could be a rebranded Eska or Clinton, or, perhaps, some offbrand outboard from Europe or Asia.

Give us any numbers you find.

WARNING: If you do a search for Solo Outboard on Google, the first two sites try to install a bogus virus scanning program. Do NOT click on the first two Google hits.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: SOLO outboard motor

OK, I did some more research. SOLO took over the production of outboards from Volvo Penta in 1980. They're based in Germany, but stopped making outboards at some point.

I'd consider parts to be a scarce commodity for that outboard, since Volvo Penta outboards were not popular in the USA. If you're in another country, your best bet would be a dealer in Volvo Penta products.

You say you've already bought this outboard. I hope you can get the thing running OK.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: SOLO outboard motor

Looking further again, this is an orphan outboard. Few were ever sold in this country. If you disassemble the carburetor to clean it, be very, very careful with gaskets, etc., because you will not be able to get them. I even searched European sources, with the same lack of luck.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: SOLO outboard motor

Last word:

Solo still has US distribution, but only makes lawn equipment now. Here's the website for their US operations:

http://www.solousa.com/support/index.htm

Now, they have a parts page, but only for their current products. Perhaps...just perhaps...they might be able to help you with parts, via their European offices, but you'd have to check.

They're located in Virginia. I'll check out the website.

 

[Dizz]

Re: SOLO outboard motor

CAT,you did a lotta research,many thanks.will also folllow advice steelspike on the 50/1.I also didn`t mention that he thought it was from Europe.I pretty much expected no supply of parts,and share your concern to be cautious of tearing up gaskets,sometimes those paper buggers self destruct.I bought the boat&motor(14' Semi V in great condition)very reasonable.It`s possible a little carb&tank cleaning&sparkplug will make it run like a champ,I`ll check spark fire also before I try to start it..
I once bought a 1961 model 10Hp Johnson(in 1977)that was locked up.I took head off,squirted a little penetrating oil on top of pistons,let it sit 2 days,then took wooden hammer handle&tapped lightly with hammer.Came right free.took light emery on slight seized spot,put on new head gasked and it was the smoothest purring outboard I`ve owned to this date.It would make my little 12" Jon do 25mph.
Sometimes you get lucky,sometimes NOT.I`m just itchin to get into that carb,may end up in scrap pile,though.
thanks again for all the research!
Regards,Dizz