You Never Know What You Are Gonna Find!

HighTrim

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Someone emailed me about some parts they wanted, so put an old 1959 35HP Elto on the stand that I got off an old OMC mechanic that is now retired and was cleaning out some old motors. Pulled the parts they needed, then thought while Im at it might as well pull all the rest of the usable parts and scrap the rest, as it was a barn motor and was in terrible condition. After pulling the fuel pump/bypass cover I saw an incredibly clean piston?? Confused, I pulled the head and found a brand new powerhead! Brand new pistons/rings/crank/everything! I stood there for about 10 minutes trying to figure out what the heck happened? ONly thing I can think of is that a customer had it rebuild, didnt pay and it was stacked in the barn and forgot about. Only thing is, the rest of the motor was terrible. The mag plate was a mess, cracked coils, etc.. Strange but lucky me. I have just the motor for it.

Will post some pics.

Lesson of the day, never scrap anything until inspected thoroughally!
 

1946Zephyr

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Re: You Never Know What You Are Gonna Find!

Awesome!! A 35 ELTO, huh? That's quite a find. I, myself have never even seen one. Probably no different than an Evin or a Johny.
 

sutor623

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Re: You Never Know What You Are Gonna Find!

Cool dude!! Congrats. That's what you get for helping and saving all of us users from spending hundreds of dollars at the marine mechanic.:D
 

kfa4303

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Re: You Never Know What You Are Gonna Find!

Thank god for barns!!!! I think you're theory may be correct too. My current motor was a service job that never got picked up (it's scribbled right on the cowl in sharpie. LOL), so I bought it and an identical donor motor for $100 of of c-list. After a tune up and a little TLC I got a great 20 hp and back up, parts motor to boot ;) It's better to be lucky than good!
 

HighTrim

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Re: You Never Know What You Are Gonna Find!

Look at the bore, was expecting much worse, as in scrap. The crank/connecting rods are brand new as well!

015.jpg
 

kfa4303

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Re: You Never Know What You Are Gonna Find!

sweet! very clean. looks like it's never seen saltwater either.
 

HighTrim

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Re: You Never Know What You Are Gonna Find!

Saltwater motors is something fortunately that I have never had to deal with, living in Ontario. I feel for the guys that do though.
 

nwcove

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May 16, 2011
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Re: You Never Know What You Are Gonna Find!

what are the chances of finding a 1950's powerhead...that has never been fired up! nice find!!! ( yer finding powerheads/motors that have never been started.....and i find the ones that will never start!! lol)
 

HighTrim

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Re: You Never Know What You Are Gonna Find!

Even being never run, she is seized up tight. Must be a main bearing, will figure it out.

Right after me and the 2 remaining exhaust cover bolts have a little chat ;)
 

1946Zephyr

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Re: You Never Know What You Are Gonna Find!

That thing is stuck? Did you drop the lower unit to see if THAT was the culprit? Those cylinders look to darned good to be the problem.
 

HighTrim

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Re: You Never Know What You Are Gonna Find!

Oy yeah, gearcase is off, must be one of the main bearings or something. She isnt budging, havent had any more time to look further. Got angry at the exhaust cover, lol ;)
 

Mas

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Re: You Never Know What You Are Gonna Find!

I wonder if the pistons are oversized?

I guess it's good not to be too quick to junk stuff!

Mas
 

HighTrim

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Re: You Never Know What You Are Gonna Find!

Yeah the pistons are 040 from the rebuild
 

1946Zephyr

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Re: You Never Know What You Are Gonna Find!

well, if nothing else, you'll have a good block and pistons for another project. Who knows, someone may even find and interest in those pistons ;)
 

HighTrim

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Re: You Never Know What You Are Gonna Find!

Well I planned to put it on this motor, my RD19C which went under when a cedar strip blew apart midway! The powerhead is toast as you can imagine. It does not have a thermostat though, and the ELTO does, darnit!

020-1.jpg

021-2.jpg
 

kfa4303

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Re: You Never Know What You Are Gonna Find!

nice lookin' motor. I love the reverse two tone look. definitely gotta get it back on the water.
 

Mas

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Re: You Never Know What You Are Gonna Find!

Fun...get her done!

Mas
 

1946Zephyr

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Re: You Never Know What You Are Gonna Find!

Is that ELTO a super quiet model?
 
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