What outboard brands/years enjoy the best parts support?

[ezmobee]

In order to better help members who are considering buying used boats/motors, I'd like to be better informed on my recommendations as far as outboards are concerned. From what I understand, OMC parts support is quite excellent for 1978 and newer motors, pretty decent for '73 and newer, spotty for the pre-'72 larger motors with electric shift, but actually pretty good for even the fairly ancient older smaller motors. Is this correct? Chrysler/Force support is poor and dwindling, I believe Yamaha and Honda are good for their whole history, How's Suzuki? Can you still get parts for the 80's ones? And Mercury....I believe they get spotty pre-1980 correct?

Any info you can add to this thread is appreciated. I remember this kind of stuff and would like to regurgitate good info

 

[ncpi]

Re: What outboard brands/years enjoy the best parts support?

1 vote up for Evinrude/Johnson parts for outboards from the 70's. I have 6hp Evinrude and Johnson outboards and 25hp Evinrude all from the early 70's - parts are seldom a problem. Many of those parts go back into the 50's and 60's motors as well.

On the other hand, my son has a Mercury 45 (4.5hp) from 1979 and we are having a heck of a time finding a new condenser. Only place we found wants $85...for a condenser! So 1 vote down for Mercury replacement parts pre-80's

 

[bonz_d]

Re: What outboard brands/years enjoy the best parts support?

Only real experience here has been with OMC, going back to 1964.

 

[64osby]

Re: What outboard brands/years enjoy the best parts support?

The only Merc part I ever had to buy was an impeller for a '67 500, easy find, but other parts of that era are becoming NLA.

I have 4 OMC motors from '56, 57 and 61. The only part that I couldn't find on line so far was a prop shaft seal for the '56. All the basic consumables, seals and gaskets that I have needed have been available.

I also have a couple of OMC motors from the 80's and have had no parts issues because I've had no motor issues. Knock on wood.

I have a Gale 5hp it uses OMC parts. I've had a few 70ish 7.5 Clintons and the impellers were available.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: What outboard brands/years enjoy the best parts support?

On the other hand, my son has a Mercury 45 (4.5hp) from 1979 and we are having a heck of a time finding a new condenser. Only place we found wants $85...for a condenser! So 1 vote down for Mercury replacement parts pre-80's

Just buy a condenser that fits. A Lawnboy condenser will probably work. All it is, is a capacitor with a grounded body, nothing special.


I can't speak about other brands, but older Merc parts are not impossible to find. It's paying for them that hurts. As in what people charge for $3.00 condensers.

 

[boobie]

Re: What outboard brands/years enjoy the best parts support?

My vote goes for OMC.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: What outboard brands/years enjoy the best parts support?

+1 omc johnson evinrude, now my oliver built wizard, not so good