Re: 1966 Evinrude I/O
It's a Buick, I think 155Hp. Good motor. The drives are okay and some of the necessary parts are still available. Unfortunately it has electric shift which has springs wrapped around the gears that like to break when quickly shifted between gears when the motor hasn't settled to idle (such as in an emergency situation when you're approaching a dock too fast and have to slam it into reverse). You need to use a special gearlube in the lower gearcase called Premium Blend (NOT the same as Mercury's Premium Blend). I think you can still get it. The upper gearcase and intermediate shaft can use regular gearlube.<br /><br />Change the lube every fall and avoid fast shifting and it could give you several years of enjoyment. I don't believe the springs are available anymore, and when they were they were awfully expensive. Keep in mind that it is hard to find anyone daring enough to work on one of these anymore.<br /><br />Another thing to watch is the Ball Gears. Those are what drive the outdrive from the motor. If they're more than 1/2 worn, they'll need to be replaced. Finding those specific ball gears could be a challenge. And they're not cheap either. If you ever remove the outdrive, mark the ball gears so they mesh the same way as when the drive was on. If you don't, they'll wear down to nothing in a hurry.<br /><br />If the price is right(CHEAP!), it could be a good boat for you. I'd be concerned about rotton wood support structures in a boat that old, myself. Check the condition of the stringers where the motor mounts to the boat. The rot frequently starts there.<br /><br />Good Luck.
