1976 35HP Evinrude 'not worth rebuilding' and cost to rebuild?

[tony_cliffy]

Asked a local Johnson dealer for rough estimate to rebuild a 1976 35HP Evinrude electric start motor. He said, without seeing motor, that I would be better off buying a newer used engine. I am surprised at this answer. I was hoping for a rebuild quote of $500 - $600 dollars, more if other problems found. (Engine is sitting on back of a boat I am buying and of unknown condition).<br /><br />Newer used engines of 35 - 60 HP sell, on average, of $1500 or more around here. I would *think* a rebuilt 1976 engine that has been gone over by a good mechanic would be worth having for the cost of the rebuild.<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />Tony

 

[wilde1j]

Re: 1976 35HP Evinrude 'not worth rebuilding' and cost to rebuild?

Powerhead rebuild usually takes ~ 8 to 10 hrs of shop labor (~say @ $75 to 100/hr) plus any parts needed. You're at a minimum of $600 for labor only, so your dealer wasn't wrong suggesting that it's not a paying deal to rebuild. Plus, when you're done, you have a motor not worth much because of it's age. You could very easily pay well over $1000 for a powerhead rebuild, depending on what's found when opened up.

 

[torbjorn]

Re: 1976 35HP Evinrude 'not worth rebuilding' and cost to rebuild?

I've never seen a 20 or 25 with exhaust megaphone and reeds different than the 35, but then it might be possible in a Canadian assembled Johnson. I've rebuilt two Belgian-assembled 20's in Germany, a 1977 Johnson and a 1989 Evinrude. The later has 25 hp model nr. on both block and exhaust housing, and has the 25 decals. I've converted a lot of 25s to 35s by changing the carb. With the 20 you must of course also remove the intake manifold and file out the inlet. You can find more information here.

www.mccauleyandson.com

It seems that there were some differences between certain year model 9.9s and 15s that I wasn't aware of earlier.
In 1977 the tuner was the same for both motors but not in 1981. The 1981 15 wound a bit higher than the earlier
model. A good article on the 15 and 35 will be published in the April 2010 Antique Outboarder, the quarterly of the AOMCI.

 

[kbait]

Re: 1976 35HP Evinrude 'not worth rebuilding' and cost to rebuild?

Asked a local Johnson dealer for rough estimate to rebuild a 1976 35HP Evinrude electric start motor. He said, without seeing motor, that I would be better off buying a newer used engine. I am surprised at this answer. I was hoping for a rebuild quote of $500 - $600 dollars, more if other problems found. (Engine is sitting on back of a boat I am buying and of unknown condition).<br /><br />Newer used engines of 35 - 60 HP sell, on average, of $1500 or more around here. I would *think* a rebuilt 1976 engine that has been gone over by a good mechanic would be worth having for the cost of the rebuild.<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />Tony

Check compression. If it's good, it may just need basic maintenance stuff and you'll have yourself a nice motor. Good luck!

 

[kbait]

Re: 1976 35HP Evinrude 'not worth rebuilding' and cost to rebuild?

Oh, it's common for shops to decline working on 'pre''77 points motors, as they'll want to charge more than they're likely worth. You need another opinion.. someone who's comfortable w/point magnetos.

 

[torbjorn]

Re: 1976 35HP Evinrude 'not worth rebuilding' and cost to rebuild?

Asked a local Johnson dealer for rough estimate to rebuild a 1976 35HP Evinrude electric start motor. He said, without seeing motor, that I would be better off buying a newer used engine. I am surprised at this answer. I was hoping for a rebuild quote of $500 - $600 dollars, more if other problems found. (Engine is sitting on back of a boat I am buying and of unknown condition).<br /><br />Newer used engines of 35 - 60 HP sell, on average, of $1500 or more around here. I would *think* a rebuilt 1976 engine that has been gone over by a good mechanic would be worth having for the cost of the rebuild.<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />Tony

Any year model 25/35 is worth rebuilding if the motor's in good condition. Here's the problem to look for with the 1976-78 35s and 1978 25: the exhaust side cooling was inadequate, so that I've often found scored cylinders in those models. the scoring can sometimes be eliminated by honing less than .025", but if you hone that much you'll have to file down oversized rings to get the right ring gap (and avoid blow by). So I'd pull the head and look at the cylinders, also as far down as you can see at bdc, before deciding to go ahead. If you buy another one then stick with any year model 1979 and later. In 1984 the gear ration was reduced, the best gearcases are 1980-83 so far as speed is concerned. If you're pushing a load then it won't matter.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1976 35HP Evinrude 'not worth rebuilding' and cost to rebuild?

You need to define "rebuild". A true rebuild is much more involved than normal routine service and tune-up. A powerhead rebuild will cost you a minimum of $1500, and the sky is the limit.

Besides, the 1976 35hp wasn't the greatest motor that ever came along. They had major cooling problems. Probably why it needs a rebuild. Even then, the cooling problem won't be solved and it will likely just happen again. I say don't waste your money on that model.

 

[torbjorn]

Re: 1976 35HP Evinrude 'not worth rebuilding' and cost to rebuild?

You need to define "rebuild". A true rebuild is much more involved than normal routine service and tune-up. A powerhead rebuild will cost you a minimum of $1500, and the sky is the limit.

Besides, the 1976 35hp wasn't the greatest motor that ever came along. They had major cooling problems. Probably why it needs a rebuild. Even then, the cooling problem won't be solved and it will likely just happen again. I say don't waste your money on that model.

Relpace seals, rings, rod bearings, hone the cylinders, gasket set, resurface the head and top side of block (siamesed cylinders). Etc. Parts cost is less than $300, for the parts quoted. I don't charge $1500 labor to rebuild a 15 or 35 powerhead. On additional costs: reboring would cost about $70, new Wiseco .020" pistons and rings would cost an extra $180/pair, and if machining the head and block is required to get them flat (as opposed to a simple surfacing plate with stickit sandpaper) then add another $70. So the limit is a lot less than the sky. I recommend running Evinrude TC-W3 oil at 37:1 in the 1976-78 35s because of the exhaust side cooling problem. The model also has one less rubber water deflector in the cylinder block than the 1979-2001 powerheads.

www.mccauleyandson.com