Hey gearheads - outboard motors

wvjohn · Post by **wvjohn** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:34 pm

trying to get something for my son's 12 ft aluminum skiff and/or an old 10 ft fiberglass skiff

looking at these 2

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=014

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... AMEWA%3AIT

figuring to go about $400 and 325 repectively - pick up only motors seem to be cheaper and I will be in delaware when those auctions end

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 10:25 pm

They don't seem to be bad motors.. Just think you're looking to spend a little much for motors that old. Have you checked any boat stores around you to see what you could get there that's new? I will say that the old Johnson/Evinrude motors are beasts.. I have an OLD Johnson Seahorse 6hp and I know it's at least 30 years old..

GL!

eGo

wvjohn · Post by **wvjohn** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 8:37 am

i've checked the local places and they are off the wall for new stuff - 2k for a new 5 hp

i had an old merc 10 on the same type of boat when i was a kid and it was a beast too - ran forever and pushed the bopat fine with a couple of people in it

been watching the motors on fleabay for a while and now that the summers is over there is a nice glut and prices are down

been in contact with both sellers who say come on over and we'll fire her up and go for a ride so i assume they are in decent condition - depending on the amount of rebuild done the 7.5 may be the best - owners says it had carb, impeller rebuilt

i'll just see how the auctions go....

CaterpillarAssassin · Post by **CaterpillarAssassin** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 9:44 am

Yeah boat motors are incredibly expensive. I'd certainly go down there and check for any smoke and the usual stuff.

A little off topic. But I've got a Honda VFR750 engine. I'm debating the idea building a small boat around it. Something like a 15ft. I'd just leave the gearbox in 6th and have a throttle control. its about 130hp. Might tear the boat apart but at least it would be fun!

wvjohn · Post by **wvjohn** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 11:38 am

i'm winning fo far with $188 for the 7.5 which would be a sweet deal if it's decent

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 5:54 pm

I have a vintage/antique outboard collection of about 20 outboards now and holding. My oldest is a '37 and newest is a '74, mostly 50's however as they're the best looking, HP range from 2-60. Most I've bought via Ebay w/o any problems but I do check feedback and read the auctions carefully. I also prefer to buy locally as S&H can be $100+ depending on weight and location so one wants to avoid that.
Old outboards usually last forever IF maintained, not abused like many other things. What I do with any boat is buy an outboard for that boats max HP rating because you can always go slower if need be. If your sons boat is rated for 10 HP or 15HP, get that motor or you'll be sorry when you realize that the boat's too slow or doesn't plane with one person.
What you want to know about any used outboard (ideally) is compression on each cylinder and if the lower unit leaks or not (no water in the gearcase).
In my experience, it's unlikely to find a decent outboard for under $400 and still, that's not a bad price IF it's nice (needs NO work).
Btw, they'll ALL smoke, they're 2 cycle.

wvjohn · Post by **wvjohn** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 6:03 pm

ended up getting the 7.5 for $307 which is ballpark around here. I will go over and check it out in the next few days - I had a similar boat with both and 10 and a 5 on it and the 5 did fine

wvjohn · Post by **wvjohn** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 2:44 pm

ok, picked it up after way yoo long a drive - went to the boat store and got oil, etc new plug and the stuff you have to put in cause delaware now has 10 % ethanol in the fuel .... started right up and ran like a champ for about 10 mins then cut out - went about a mile down the beach (upwind of course, no fool me) ....motor would restart after a couple of minutes and run for 1-2 minutes and stop. it reminded me of a car i once had with with a dirty fuel filter run for w a while, stop etc.

gonna pull the motor back up at the house and check all the fuel lines, etc.

any other ideas welcome. i had a little bit of old gas in the tank, but we put 6+ gallons of fresh in it . didn't seem like it was that hot after it was running ... but don't know if it was an overheating issue -

TIA

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 7:24 pm

Could be clogged filter in tank, weak fuel pump and/or dirt in carb. Do you know the year? I assume OMC (Johnson/Evinrude)?

Most outboards have a taletale water pump exit hole (weephole) that lets you know that the water pump is working as you see the water coming out. When you know where that is, if you don't see water escaping one should shut off the motor as the water pump isn't working. Never run it out of water, either in a test tank or using those things that look like ear muffs and connect to a garden hose.

Here's a great outboard motor forum that I visit if I need ideas.
http://forums.iboats.com/

wvjohn · Post by **wvjohn** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:04 pm

its a 79 merc 7.5

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:59 pm

All Mercs shoot a stream of water from the rear of what's called its "powerhead" (engine) area so if the pump's working, you'll see a steady stream of water.

wvjohn · Post by **wvjohn** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 6:47 am

that may be the problemo then - do you know off hand where the intake for the pump is generally - i will see if i can find it and if it is closed off or blocked - otherwise off to the shop i guess .....

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 9:43 am

The intake should be down around the propellor.. I'm not at home to look at mine or I could give you a more exact location.. But usually on the right or left side about an inch or two above the propellor I think.

GL!

eGo

wvjohn · Post by **wvjohn** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 4:38 pm

found the intake and it was clear and checked that bbs and it could be an impeller or thermo - finally took it to a merc dealer who can get the old parts - hopefully it is somthing simple

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 7:18 pm

I'd get an estimate first and if it's going to run $200-$300, contact the seller and see if you can get your money back if claiming it to be in good working order, unless you think that's OK? It wouldn't surprise me if it'd cost at least that much (water pump, etc) if it'll take that to fix it.
I have two newer mercs ('74 and '04) , both with t-stats and both shoot water out from the moment that they start so I think a t-stat is unlikey.

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Hey gearheads - outboard motors

Hey gearheads - outboard motors

need some gearhead help