What's a Good lil Motor?

[Elkins45]

Re: What's a Good lil Motor?

My choice would be a 2 hp Evinrude 2 strokes with built in tank. But not easy to find.

Great, until the built in tank begins to rust. Then you have to tear down the carb every few weeks to dislodge the rust, or install an inline fuel filter. I have the Johnson version and the dealer tells me that replacement tanks aren't available.

I'm giving some thought to rigging up some sort of replacement using a plastic bottle or fuel can.

 

[pecheux]

Re: What's a Good lil Motor?

Great, until the built in tank begins to rust. Then you have to tear down the carb every few weeks to dislodge the rust, or install an inline fuel filter. I have the Johnson version and the dealer tells me that replacement tanks aren't available.

I'm giving some thought to rigging up some sort of replacement using a plastic bottle or fuel can.

Well if the tank begins to rust I would then suspect some owner forgot to keep it full with a 50:1 oil mix during the storage months ??? Based on an OMC metal gas tank dated 1981 that I own, oily metal does not rust ... but I do keep it full most of the time.

 

[JimS123]

Re: What's a Good lil Motor?

Well if the tank begins to rust I would then suspect some owner forgot to keep it full with a 50:1 oil mix during the storage months ??? Based on an OMC metal gas tank dated 1981 that I own, oily metal does not rust ... but I do keep it full most of the time.

Yup! I have 1964 and 1984 tanks that I bought new and they are shiny as could be. My 1995 tank that I bought used (actually got it free with the motor - the owner insisted I take it) is crap.

On the other hand, the tank on my 1919 Evinrude is also pristine, but it had been stored empty by the original owner since 1941.

 

[cityboy]

Re: What's a Good lil Motor?

3 hp clinton air cooled 27lb, nice and light and has a 1/4 gal tank that last's for a long time .

 

[reelfishin]

Re: What's a Good lil Motor?

For a canoe, I'd say hunt down any of the Tanaka built air cooled motors, with the centrifugal clutch, they're hard to beat on a small boat. They were sold under Tanaka, Gamefisher, and Aqua Bug.
My next choice would be pretty much any of the Johnson/Evinrude 3 or 4 hp motors, with a slight preference towards the early models for simplicity sake.

The Tanaka can be a bit noisey, but it gets the job done.
The older OMC built 3or 4hp motors were pretty quiet and very smooth.

 

[cityboy]

Re: What's a Good lil Motor?

'sorry just trying to clear this pop up message box ? dont know why i cant remove it .

 

[lncoop]

Re: What's a Good lil Motor?

For a canoe, I'd say hunt down any of the Tanaka built air cooled motors, with the centrifugal clutch, they're hard to beat on a small boat. They were sold under Tanaka, Gamefisher, and Aqua Bug.
My next choice would be pretty much any of the Johnson/Evinrude 3 or 4 hp motors, with a slight preference towards the early models for simplicity sake.

The Tanaka can be a bit noisey, but it gets the job done.
The older OMC built 3or 4hp motors were pretty quiet and very smooth.

That's funny. I was going to ask about Tanaka this morning. I ran across a couple on ebay that I thought would be worth a look. Anything in particular to look out for?

 

[lncoop]

Re: What's a Good lil Motor?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170534738102

Any thoughts on this one? The ad's a little short on details, but I sent the seller a request for more info.

 

[robert graham]

Re: What's a Good lil Motor?

Some of the Tanaka's I've seen on E-Bay and Craig's list look like they haven't really been run much, almost new condition, if you can find one of these, that's been mostly in fresh water, it may be about like a new motor. The 3HP model is the one you want for that canoe. It has electronic ignition, no water pump, no gears, really not much to go wrong, and it's only 26lbs., carb is so simple, manual choke, very easy starting. Only thing I ever had a hassle with was that little fuel pet-****, and finally replaced it with a plastic one from Northern Tools(about $3). Good Luck!

 

[Krichbourg]

Re: What's a Good lil Motor?

I've got a 4 horse 4 stroke Tohatsu on the back of my Old Town Predator. I looked long and hard at the Honda 2 horse. It's super light weight and fuel efficient but I eventually decided on the extra power and metal prop of the Tohatsu. My concern was that against the wind and current, the two horse wouldn't give me what I needed to get home. I've been well pleased with my setup, it's not too heavy to manage, it has an internal tank which I don't use, its very quiet and runs great. I've had my little rig going as fast as 11 which is more than plenty. It seems to like to go about 8.5 which it will do at aprox. half throttle, maybe a little more. Pushing past this point doesn't give much more speed for the extra work. I also get a little backsplash when pushing past that point. Its nice having a little extra power when going against the current.
Good luck, have fun!

 

[Elkins45]

Re: What's a Good lil Motor?

Well if the tank begins to rust I would then suspect some owner forgot to keep it full with a 50:1 oil mix during the storage months

Yep, that would be my Grandpa. It sat almost empty in an unheated shed from the early 70's to the late 90's.

 

[bktheking]

Re: What's a Good lil Motor?

Any thoughts on a 3.6 Merc early eighties model with the tank on top? Has not been started in twenty years but seller says he'd take it back if it turned out to not be worth waking up.

I have a 78 Gnat 4 hp, people hate them because of the design, if you get a good one they are a mechanical marvel. Mine runs like a champ.

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: What's a Good lil Motor?

Evinrude/Johnson 3hp outboard years from 1952 to 1967. Best little 3 horse out there. Very easy to work on and maintain. Product house and aftermarket parts still very available today. I have 3 of them and would not consider get rid of them. 1957, 1958, and 1959. 57 and 59 are Evinrude and 58 is a Johnson.
Those little engines idle low and great in shallow areas.

Here is a little read on those motors.

http://outboard-boat-motor-repair.c... Johnson 3 HP 1952-1967 Tune-Up Procedure.htm

Good luck with your choice.

times 2 i have a 56 5.5 fisherman and a 15 fleetwin and so far they havent let me down