anyone have thoughts on 1960's Evinrude outboards?

[misterfroggy]

Thinking about picking up a '62 evinrude 75hp outboard. 4 cylinder, 2-stroke. I know that older evinrudes are supposed to be decent, but 1962 seems kinda old maybe?

owner says it runs well, just looking for opinions on whether they're solid and I can expect it to be relatively hassle-free or if they were total junk and I should stay away.

any other info about these if anyone knows would be welcomed. I know nothing about it whatsoever.

photo attached

thanks!

 

[jbcurt00]

Good yes

Junk no

Well maintained? Only the past owners know, and the guy selling it isnt likely the only previous owner.

Coils, condensers and points work, but not fair to compare a 60s vintage 2stroke to more modern motors.

Hassle free depends on condition and how well you prep it for service before you use it and then how well you maintain it.

 

[flyingscott]

My 2 cents is unless you can run it and it has the controls don't buy it unless you need it as a parts motor.. Does it have the electric shift lower if it does make sure it works and definitely make sure it has the controls. Overall good motors but some parts are hard to find and pricey. How much does he want for it

 

[misterfroggy]

Hi-
thanks for the responses.
It has the controls, don't know about the electric shift lower. How might i test this?

He's asking $500.

Thanks!

 

[flyingscott]

Hello I don't know enough about them to test them but there are people on here who do like racerone try to get him to weigh in on this.

 

[JimS123]

If it was well maintained offer him $300. Then have the carb rebuilt, put in new coils, a water pump impeller and do a complete tuneup. That'll cost you another $400 and you'll have a dependable motor.

If it wasn't well maintained, who knows.

It's not worth $500 unless new coils, etc. can be documented. If it has an electric lower unit (push button shifting on the controls) that would be a deal breaker for me. They are usually NOT dependable.

 

[misterfroggy]

is there a good way to tell if it was well maintained other than just based on how it looks? Anything in particular I should check for? thanks

 

[misterfroggy]

also, it's electric shifting. it's that bad, huh?

 

[Grub54891]

That is an old one. I had a 50 hp, electric shift, never had an issue. Just use the electric shift oil in the lower unit.

 

[misterfroggy]

might be a silly question, but what the the electric shift control on these motors? Does it just control forward/reverse/neutral or is there more to it? Can I just leave these motors in forward, or is that bad for them? thanks

 

[steelespike]

61-67 motors were available with a magneto distributor or battery ignition.I think both have internals that are rare and expensive.
Years ago a guy paid $35 for a used rotor.Controls for the shifting are also scarce and expensive.The gear case is reliable with proper care.
but I think it does require special tools to work on it.

 

[racerone]

The electric shift is very simple and very reliable.---------Just some folks do not understand that fact and will only listen to the " sellers " of new motors.---------Fact is if you are willing to get a manual and learn to do your own work than these motors offer you cheap boating experience.-------I see many newer motors in the scrap heap as they are too expensive / complicated to repair.

 

[JimS123]

is there a good way to tell if it was well maintained other than just based on how it looks? Anything in particular I should check for? thanks

Look under the cowl. Is it filthy? Open the fuel filter - was it cleaned? Check spark plugs - are they old and burnt or oily? Are the wires all cracked? Is the skeg broken and the prop all dinged up. Does the outside look like its been sitting in the sun for 30 years? Is the lower unit dripping oil? Is the lower unit cracked from water intrusion?

ETC.

 

[JimS123]

might be a silly question, but what the the electric shift control on these motors? Does it just control forward/reverse/neutral or is there more to it? Can I just leave these motors in forward, or is that bad for them? thanks

The gears are controlled by electric magnets that change from forward to revers and neutral. If the early models failed you were stuck in whatever gear you were in. The later models defaulted to forward, so if you had a failure you were stuck in forward. Yes they are simple, but I would debate their reliability.

Nobody left that knows how to work on them. Its true that nobody understands them, and those that do can make them run well. So, do you want to learn so you can tinker with them, or do you want to go boating.

Some early models were prone to have all of the wires burn out because they were run along side the exhaust tube. Not really a problem - the motor runs fine, you just can't shift into gear.....LOL.

 

[Grub54891]

HHmmm... Nobody knows how to work on them?? I guess I know nothing. Worked on a fair amount of the over the years,, but then again, haven't in about 10 years now. Nowadays's I choose not to work on outboards to much unless they are my personal ones.

 

[misterfroggy]

thanks everyone. I think I'm not going to pursue this particular motor. need something reliable and I may be out of my league here in determining if this one is in good shape or if it'll cause me issues down the road.

 

[mudslinging79]

just cause its old doesn't mean its not reliable. I had a 1958 motor that was given to me siezed. went through a flood, wasn't stored properly, etc. a lil time, some labor, and that motor ran like a top.
offer 300, rebuild carb, fuel pump, check the plug wires, magneto, points, as long as there's no mechanical damage, she should run for some time. many parts cross over to more recent motors