200 Johnson Outboard HELP

[adoak00]

ok here's the situation.

I have the chance to buy a

1981 Wellcraft 196 Sunhatch w/ Trailor - boat looks great! Trailer in great condition too!

Comes with a 200 HP Johnson Outboard..

Needs a water pump - and its SEIZED =(

For $700 - I don't think I can pass this deal - trailer alone is worth the 7 bills, but I'm not sure if I should tackle this motor or not...

What do you guys think?

Unseize - rebuild? or Buy a new one?

EDIT - New one?? What am I thinking - I meant look for a used one!

 

[Daviet]

Re: 200 Johnson Outboard HELP

I think you are correct in that the boat and trailer are worth the money. I guess i would check out the engine to try and figure out what caused the engine to seize. You could pull the heads and exhaust port covers and look for piston/cylinder wall damage.

 

[Mntom]

Re: 200 Johnson Outboard HELP

I agree about buying it. Once you get it home pull the heads and start soaking things up with GOOD penetrating oil (not wd-40). Let it sit for a while or be like me and get impatient then use a block of wood with a hammer and tap on each piston and see what happens. You just may be lucky enough to get it going again!

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 200 Johnson Outboard HELP

Even if the engine is bad, the lower unit is worth something-in good condition. Pulling the heads will tell you a lot about the engine condition. Those engines came from the factory with the high ring pistons. They were not the most reliable when run on today's ethanol fuels.