135 Black Max opinions?

[BrianVT]

I'm considering buying one of these cheap/not running and rebuilding it. It's a '93. I'm told it was run on straight gas. Supposedly it turns over but 2 pistons/cylinders got hot. I guess that since it didn't lock up then the crank should be ok. So, in theory, I would just need to clean up all the cylinders (assuming they're not scored) and replace the pistons/rings/pins and gaskets and have a decent engine.
I've done this on 2-stroke, single cylinder, motorcycle engines a few times but I have no experience doing this to a multi-cylinder outboard.
Am I crazy to think that rebuilding this 135 might be a somewhat simple and affordable task?
Are these engines a decent & reliable product that is worthy of rebuilding?

 

[Scott Danforth]

until you tear it apart, you dont know what it needs. doubt you get away without bore/hone and full rebuild.

 

[BrianVT]

Bore cleaning of melted piston material and honing/crosshatching wouldn't be a big deal to me. I've done that before on motorcycle engines.
What is the "full rebuild" that you mention?

 

[444]

It's fairly straightforward until you have to do crank bearings. One thing to add, price out 6 new pistons/rings and all gaskets and machine work. The price adds up very quick.

 

[BrianVT]

I hear that. But a new engine is $8k?
How to tell if the crank bearings need replacing?

 

[GA_Boater]

I hear that. But a new engine is $8k?
How to tell if the crank bearings need replacing?

Ya gotta tear it apart.

 

[BrianVT]

Ok. It seems the vote is to pass on it.
I guess we’ll just keep tooling around on the 70hp.
Thanks for the help.

 

[Chris1956]

That motor is a good one, however, at it's age, a running one would be pretty cheap. I bought that same motor in 2008 for $1k. it runs super.

6 pistons and a bore of the cylinders would be nearly $1k.

 

[BrianVT]

Good info. I will pass on this one.
Thank you.

 

[444]

I hear that. But a new engine is $8k?
How to tell if the crank bearings need replacing?

You can probably buy a used boat with a rotten hull for a couple thousand, keep the engine and part-out/sell the rest and be money ahead from rebuilding.