Re: What is this???
Hmm...if you can get it really cheap or if he can show you that it runs, it might work for you.
A couple of things:
That outboard is set up for remote steering. I think you said your boat was a tiller boat. If so, you'll have to dig up a tiller handle for it. Most of the outboard boneyards, like
www.tcoutboard.com, will have one.
Also, you absolutely must do a compression check on that outboard before buying it. If it has unbalanced compression between the cylinders, or compression under about 80, skip it. It will likely cost you too much to get it running properly.
Also, you'll need a two-line tank, hose, and fittings for that engine. Add at least $100 for a good one, if one doesn't come with it.
If he can't run it for you, but it has good compression, figure on new coils, points, and condensers, a carb rebuild, and new impeller, at a bare minimum, before you can use it. About $200 total. Check for water intrusion into the lower unit. If the oil in there is milky, you'll have to reseal the lower unit, at a minimum. More work, but not that expensive. However, if it's been sitting for years, you may have other lower unit problems to deal with.
You're dealing here with a machine over 50 years old. If it were in regular use, and maintained, no problem. If it's been sitting in a shed or, worse, out in the weather, you'll have to do all the stuff I mentioned to it, and maybe more.
Finally, that doesn't look like it has electric start, so you'll be rope starting it. No big deal, really, but if it's an 18, it's a good pull to fire it up.
Bottom line is that you could spend about $400 or more to get it back in good shape, with the parts, the tank, the tiller, and some paint and decals. A nice-looking, good-running 18hp of that vintage should sell for just about that, generally.
Keep all that in mind when you look at that outboard. Or, keep looking.
