1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

[retrosoul]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

Thanks for your quick response Bonz!

Well the Evinrude I have is a 50 and it's a serious gas guzzler so I've been told by everyone. My Mirro is rated for an 85hp. I haven't ran it with the Evinrude yet because it needs some work to run. Work that will ultimately cost me about 600 w/labor minimum. Since i haven't ran my Mirro yet, I can't speak for the performance of the Evinrude. The 80 Johnson here, the seller claims runs fine (but we will see for sure before any deal is struck). I believe it is a mechanical shift, I could easily be wrong, but I can get this motor for 600 (w/ travel expenses) assuming it runs.

Here is the throttle control, it hints at automatic with one knob and one cable. But, it looks like there was possibly a manual shift stick in the lower slot that broke off maybe? I am not familiar with these older systems.



The main question here is which motor is a better value for 600 dollars? I have no experience with either.

Thanks for your advice,
David

 

[59 Fatty]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

I believe that control box lever that broke off is to increase idle speed while in neutral. The V4 is a gas hog, but are you sure that you want to split up the "team"? As to a better motor, my vote is for the beautiful old motor that's on there. If you don't want it, I do. Does yours look like this inside?

 

[bonz_d]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

From the picture you posted that 80hp is an electric. Even it if runs very well I'd steer clear because of it. Lower unit parts for that thing are a nightmare to find if it should ever need work.

Again if you really want to change engines my suggestion would be to look for a 55hp or a 70hp OMC. Those models were made over many years w/o much change to them. Parts are readily available, easy to work on, and much better on fuel.

I myself made a 6hr round trip to get the 60hp 2 cylinder that is now on my boat. It too is a nice engine but harder to find as most people went with the 50hp and 55hp which are all basically the same engine.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

I'm in the same "Boat" so to speak, in that I have a 40 HP "SelectricShift" Evinrude. I'm wanting to Upgrade as well and I agree with all the above. If you're going to do it then for sure get a Manual shift and preferably a 75' or later model. My SelectricShift works perfect but...IF it ever goes bad, I won't even attempt to fix it cuz parts are just not out there.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

Looking further into you photos and questions I see this.

Staying with the 50hp is a better idea than going to that 80hp. As I said earlier that 80 has a undesireable lower unit. The shift control would also need to be changed. Next your boat has the older cable and pulley steering system in which will also be a pain to try and use with the newer 80hp or even the newer 50hp or 70hp.

An alternative to this would be to look for a early 60's 40hp with mechanical shift. With that, everything you have already on the boat will switch out w/o changing anything other than the engine. Plus it would save you about 60-70lbs over the V4 and get better fuel economy.

Then at a later date if you still want an upgrade I'd look at the 1975 or newer engines and changing the steering to a rotory or rack and pinion helm.

 

[retrosoul]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

alrighty...

 

[retrosoul]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

Thanks for the wisdom guys! You saved me a lot of trouble going to get that heavy thing. I'll stick with my Evinrude.

Much appreciated,
David

 

[retrosoul]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

Alright fellas. More progress for my power planning.

I have found two other motor prospects. We have a 1983 Johnson 70hp asking 1500 and another 1980's Johnson 60hp asking 995. Both motors allegedly run great and are the same distance from me. Both have power tilt and trim, so I will have to install those controls and probably also a power steering system. Remember, $600 dollars minimum for repair on the 1960 Evinrude Starflite that I have. Obviously, that 60hp looks good to me for value. but if the 70 is $500 dollars better I will consider it. Both come with remotes and cables as well.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

The Johnson 70 has been re-sprayed. For $1500, was it completely gone thru? Or 'just' resprayed?

Do either of those choices INCLUDE the remote control/key & etc? You will probably want to order new control cables (F-N-R & throttle) anyway, but the motor & control ends for the cable can be difficult to source. I haven't had to find ends for 1980's motors, so they may be more readily available then those for my 50's/60's/70's motors...

If you think the 60hp will get you where you want to go, I'd lean toward 'saving' the $505, and using 25% of that to pay for the steering setup.

You don't 'need' power steering, just an upgrade from the pulley & cable system. The teleflex & uflex discussed in your steering control thread will both work...

 

[bonz_d]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

retrosoul, this is what I see in those pictures. The 70hp has been repainted as said, the decals are correct for that motor. Unless it has been entirely rebuilt at least in my area of Wisconsin that engine is easily over priced by at leat $500.00Here it would probably ony fetch $700.00 - 800.00.

The 60hp from the picture appears to be a pretty clean. The tilt ant trim units on that can be problematic and many parts are NLA (no longer available) but that wouldn't turn me away from it as I have been looking for one to add to my 60hp.. At $1000.00 I still think that price is high even with the PTT. I paid $600.00 for the one I have.

Your Mirrocraft should weight out about the same as my Alumacraft and mine performs very well with the 60hp with a 15" pitch stainless steel prop. With just me in the boat I could probably get away with a 17 pitch but I don't need to go any faster!

Have either of these seen salt water?

 

[retrosoul]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

The description for the 60 says it has only been used in fresh water around Kentucky. "1980's model JOHNSON 60 hp Outboard with the power tilt/trim on it. The motor runs great, fires right up & has great compression in both cylinders(150). It also shifts fine and pumps water great. If interested we can run the motor here at the house for you to view it. This is very clean motor for its age and was used in freshwater here in Ky and Indiana."

The 70 doesn't say it was gone through or anything and I feel like if it was and they are trying to sell it they would have mentioned that. Also, it is located in Florida and after 30 years I'm sure someone dipped it in the ocean at some point.

So I agree with you guys the 70 seems a little sketchy and over priced. The 60 995 obo so I can probably get it for a better price. Glad I don't have to pay for power steering though! How much would the teleflex or uflex run me generally?

 

[bonz_d]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

I would suggest contacting the seller by phone, ask questions, get them talking. Chatty people reveil things once they get talking. Remember the questions and how they answered them then when meeting in person ask the same questions and compare to previous answers. Also remember that it's harder to get a true feel for an engine that's running on a stand with muffs because there is no way to put a load on it. So listen for sounds, run it until it gets warm. Start it and shut it down a few times see how it starts.

I'll be gone for a few days but will check back when I return home. good luck!