Would you be afraid to buy this? added Another!!

[imported_Mo_Tick]

I like the older motors, but worry about parts and things. but for a 30 hp i liked the looks of this one. what do you all think?<br /><br /> motor listing<br />or this one?<br /> listing 2<br /><br />How about this! LARK

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Would you be afraid to buy this? added Another!!

If the advertising language is true, then I would not be afraid to go after it. However, for $450 I would hope the tune-up had already been done. That's a lot of money for a 50 year old motor that still needs work done...<br /><br />Without actually seeing the motor I generally assume a basically sound motor (nothing broken or seriously wrong) would still need ignition attention (points, coils, condensers), fuel system attention (working pressure tank, clean carb, good hoses), a new waterpump, and lower unit seals. It adds up in a hurry... All of those things are fairly easy to handle if you've got a good manual and basic knowledge of tools and such.<br /><br />When you're done you'll have a good, solid older motor. They are real stump pullers for 30hp and very reliable when kept in good tune. I've had several over the years...<br /><br />- Scott

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Would you be afraid to buy this? added Another!!

I love the look of a '56. Consumable parts and such are easily available for that engine. The head gasket is a little dicey but there are alternatives. <br />Two things hold me back though - 1 that looks like a 6v starter and 2 it looks like he wants too much money for an engine that will be purchased sight unseen in need of a 'minor' tuneup. Without trustworthy compression #s and a check of the l/u oil I don't think it's worth what he's asking. Now if you can check those for yourself, it's easily worth a couple hundred more.<br /><br />The thing is, a complete R&R of the ignition system, water pump, can be done for $100 parts, but a rebuilt to solve low compression is going to be a number of times that, and you'll spend a good long time scrounging parts for it.<br /><br />EDIT: A little slow, but I think we're on the same page.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Would you be afraid to buy this? added Another!!

the 1st thing i see wrong with #2 is the seller doesn't accept paypal. if they don't accept paypal i don't buy. that being said. i love #1, i bought a 1955 15 hp on evay, its the best motor i have. paid $250, plus 90 shipping. i've bought 2 other motors also on ebay and have had good luck. read their feedback, and see how many other motors the have sold. controls are also available there, i've bought 2. as far as the tiller hand being on it, that has no being on using the remote control. my 15hp is setup with remote controls and easy glide stick steering. pictures posted in the restoration forum. i like old motors also.

 

[Mo Tick]

Re: Would you be afraid to buy this? added Another!!

thanks for all your opinons. maybe i should approach the guy ans ask him to get the tune up done, and show me the compression after and i'll buy it for 450.00??<br /><br />i think it would look Great on my 1968 Star Craft 14'. its rated for a 30hp. i dont have a console so i need the tiller, but would consider adding easy glide to it.<br /><br />Again, thank you

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Would you be afraid to buy this? added Another!!

Definitely get compression #s. If he's selling for that sort of price he can invest $15 in a compression tester.<br /><br />As for the "tune up", I personally prefer to do my own work. I would just factor in the cost to the offering price. Having a professional run through it could easily double the price if the seller can find one to work on it. Ten years sitting around and it'll need just about all the work Chinewalker detailed. At the very least all those things will need to be inspected except the water pump, which will need to be replaced without question.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Would you be afraid to buy this? added Another!!

Although the ad doesn’t say, #1 is actually a 1956, and was the first year Johnson made a 30 hp, and the last one until 1984. It is actually a slightly modified 25 hp which was made for several years prior to 1956. I bought one of the old 30's last fall myself. Paul is correct. The consumable parts are easy to find. However, if you ever need any internal engine parts, availability will be an issue. When you do find them, they will be high. $450 sounds a bit high for this motor. I suspect his reserve would be in the $350-$400 range. This engine comes with a 2-line pressure gas tank which looks to be in good shape. That tank alone sells for $100-$125 on ebay. <br /><br />Don’t sweat the 6 v. starter. I took my 6 v. starter to the starter shop for verification of it being 6 v. Tech said it would work just fine on 12 v. but use it with discretion, only 10-15 seconds at a time, with cooling time allowed between crankings. If engine is tuned properly, that’s more than enough. The electric choke solenoid is another issue. You might want to find one off a ’57 or later which are 12 v.<br /><br />#2, on the other hand, is no older than '84. It will probably be the stronger runner and will get far, far better fuel economy. The older big twins were thirsty. Engine parts will also be easier to find.

 

[imported_Mo_Tick]

Re: Would you be afraid to buy this? added Another!!

Boatbuoy, your Kidding about the price on them tanks arent you?!<br /><br />while digging around my grandparent-inlaws place i now have 2 in perfect condition.<br /><br />i emailed the guy in #1 and asked if he would do the tune up and get a compression chk, then we could talk about his 450.00 price.<br /><br />i'll keep you posted as to his response.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Would you be afraid to buy this? added Another!!

Those are double line tank prices, they're more valuable than the single line tanks. I usually see them go for $50-$75 unless they're rebuilt. But it's not like I monitor it that closely. <br /><br />Somehow I had blinders on about #2. <br /><br />Boatbouy, I don't want to get off-topic here, but you could use a ballast resistor in series with the choke solenoid. Just use one equal in resistance to the solenoid. Say you read 5 ohms, use a 5 ohm resistor. You can calculate the minimum wattage by 72 / (CoilResistance + Ballast resistance). In the above example 72/10=7.2 watts. Use a 10 watt resistor.

 

[Pony]

Re: Would you be afraid to buy this? added Another!!

FWIW I have a later model (88) of the second option in the 25hp form. I love it, and find it to be very dependable and powerful. That being said it obviously is in mint condition.....its tough to tell whether the one you showed us is also. The seller was pretty brief on the description. If it were me and both motors were in equal mechanical shape, i'd go for the newer one (only because of part availability etc, but they can be found and lots of guys on here are fond of that vintage). The older one would probably look better on you vintage boat though.

 

[Gone]

Re: Would you be afraid to buy this? added Another!!

Paul,<br />Trying to understand the rule of thumb logic. Where does "72" (8.5 squared) come from?<br /><br />My '88 ran flawlessly as well. Just traded the rig off for an upgrade.

 

[imported_Mo_Tick]

Re: Would you be afraid to buy this? added Another!!

you know listing 2 just because of age to me seemed like a good deal, my transome is 17" so moving that power head over makes sense to me. is that a BIG deal? i can work on most anything, i think i could do it but you never know with outboards.<br /><br />would that long shaft lower unit be worth anything after? id probly sell it.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Would you be afraid to buy this? added Another!!

for that same price, you should be able to get one from the 80's easily.<br /><br />450 for a 50 year old motor, unrestored, in need of work is rediculous

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Would you be afraid to buy this? added Another!!

Originally posted by Paul Moir:<br />I usually see them go for $50-$75 unless they're rebuilt.

Paul, I've been watching ebay for one of these. The ones I miss usually go for $50-$75(story of my life). Yesterday, I wanted one that went for $155. I think the bidding got out of hand on that one. But seeing them go for $100 isn't unusual. I'll probably wait until next fall/winter when demand dries up.<br /><br />Thanks for the info on using a ballast resistor.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Would you be afraid to buy this? added Another!!

going back and looking again, i'm still with # 1. it's the only one that doesn't look married. it looks like a visable parts are original. the others you can see obvious differences.

 

[68whaler]

Re: Would you be afraid to buy this? added Another!!

For what it's worth, I will do anything to keep the original '67 Rude 40 on my '68 Whaler. They are both in the process of restoration and look ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh so natural together.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Would you be afraid to buy this? added Another!!

To it's credit, #3 is a 35 hp. But it's long shaft. It can easily made into a short shaft, but you'll have to scavage parts. There is also no mention of gas tank, controls, or wiring harness. <br /><br />#1 looks like it has wiring harness attached and has a tank. Ad says #1 is a long shaft, but from what I see, it's not. I'm not sure what he means by needing "minor tuneup" when he's already said it has good spark. Maybe carb rebuild?<br /><br />It seems like I remember some bearing changes from the 30 hp to the 35 hp. Maybe Paul or Chinewalker will come by and clarify for both of us.

 

[Mo Tick]

Re: Would you be afraid to buy this? added Another!!

well so far it seems that most 20-25 hps are going for over 500.00. thats about the limit i want to spend.<br /><br />let me ask this, i have a 70 14'starcraft. i added floors to it maybe 120 extra pounds. its rated for a 30. whats the % power difference compared to cost in a 20hp to a 25hp. is it noticable? cause the cost is. <br /><br />thats why the 57 30 hp interested me, more motor for the money, even though its older.

 

[Mo Tick]

Re: Would you be afraid to buy this? added Another!!

here is the response i got from the guy when i asked him to get a compression check and a tuneup on it.<br /><br />Re: Johnson 30 horse outboard. I'd be willing to call The Curve Marina in Rockford, IL to get a price for you for a tune-up and compression check. Compression-wise, it's a real bear to pull start, so I know the compression is good. Let me know if you want me to get a quote for you. Bill<br /><br />i guess he dosent want to sell it to me.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Would you be afraid to buy this? added Another!!

The 30hp is 35.7 cubic inches at a decent compression ratio and so is a bear to pull over normally. Later engines used compression relief to make it easier. With the electric start it's kind of a moot point though. <br /><br />I appologise for the off topic post here Mo Tick. Promise this is the last of it.<br /><br />Crusty Dude: Basically that's just a simplification out of ohms law. P = v^2 / r. Since v in this case is 12 volts, v^2 = 144. Now half the power is going to the resistor and half to the choke solenoid so P to the resistor = 1/2 x 144 / (r total) or 72 / (r total). So no rule of thumb going on there, just straight math using the values known.<br />Boatbuoy, good to know. I really don't track the prices prefering fuel pumps myself. But it seems like some tanks go through the net of purchasers just because they're foolishly named. Here are my ebay search terms:<br />("double line", pressure, "dual line", pressurized, "double line", "two line", "duel line") (omc, johnson, evinrude) tank<br />There was a pristine one in the list but it looks like it's been found out. 26 bids already, but still < $30.