Which is more reliable?

[billy4hp]

So I have a bit of a dilema...

I am outfitting a new to me boat, a 1972 Glasply runabout... I will be using it as a lake boat and a bit of crabbing / shrimping in the Puget Sound where I live.

Up here everyone has a kicker 1. as a trolling motor 2. as an emergency backup. My main motor is a 1978 Johnson 70hp which is also in excellent condition and runs like a top...

So my current kicker is an excellent condition 1972 9 1/2 Johnson kicker that I have gone through myself, compression is great, new coils, wires and points, impeller, lower end oil, paint job, blah blah blah.

I can find locally used kickers, say a Johnson or Evinrude 9.9 from the mid to early 80's that is also in excellent condition for around $400 to $600. Some "claim" to have been in storage for years will very little hours. I am lucky enough to own a boroscope, leak down gauge, compression tester, etc so when I check out a used engine I really check out a used engine...

My question is being a child of the 70's and an automotive technician for the last 20 years, plus having years of experience working on cars from the 50's, 60's, 70's. What outboard is more reliable? From experience mechanical things break and the older something is the more maintenance it usally requires, i.e. points close up after time, etc. I know I can tear apart the 1972 and probably fix about anything that is wrong with it on the fly if I had to. Can the same be said for a 1980's 9.9?

Long story short, being mechanically minded, what engine is going to let you down the least, if at all?

Thanks for the replies,

Billy

 

[ksubigbuck]

Re: Which is more reliable?

Id's say stick with the '72 if it is easy for you to work on. Plus, they are reliable motors. Nothing wrong with the 80's models, they just won't be what you are used to.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Which is more reliable?

it the 72 is in as good condition as you say, you keep up normal maintenance, it should run another 40 years. probably with the most a coil replacement.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Which is more reliable?

I'm a firm believer in "points will always get you home". When a power pack dies there's nothing you can do.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Which is more reliable?

The only real drawbacks to your engine are ease of service and parts availibility. If you can comfortably deal with the fact that OMC 9.5 hp motors are a little difficult to "turn a wrench on" at times, you are left only with the parts issue.

Given that you already have this motor, and it is running well, there doesn't seem to be much point in getting rid of it. What I would do instead of spending a bunch of money on a replacement, is to be constantly on the hunt for parts and parts motors. When you don't have to buy something, you often end up getting it at bargain basement prices. This basic reality will probably allow you to create a stockpile of parts to keep your present motor going for many years to come.

I also agree strongly with iwombat's comment about "points motors." First, these engines are so simple, that they rarely fail unless abused. It also remains very easy to obtain most of the wearable parts for them. You can even eliminate the points and put very inexpensive, electronic ignition triggers in them, if you choose. I have a 1969 Johnson 6hp that has been running off a pair of them for several years.

My vote would be to keep the motor.

 

[billy4hp]

Re: Which is more reliable?

Thanks to everyone for their comments, looks like I am going to keep my current 9 1/2 and keep on the lookout for a spare for parts...

Billy

 

[iwombat]

Re: Which is more reliable?

One of the things I really don't like about my 9.5s is the lack of a remote kit. Other than that they're very reliable motors.