Buying used outboard to swap parts

[ERock82]

Hey Everyone,

I am in the process of trying to get a running motor again. I have a 1995 Force 40hp 2 stroke. It has a broken drive shaft (with part of it stuck in the crankshaft), bad pinion gear and broken starter mount. Aside from that it is in good shape, BUT that is enough to make this motor completely wrecked.

I want to save up for a nice motor but to get back on the water this year I would like to get this Force going again.

I was thinking I could find some guy selling one just like mine and swap parts to make it right.

I have noticed that there are a lot of these motors online that are just laying around in someone's backyard. The seller will often say it has good compression and/or that he even checked it himself. How, would someone be able to check compression on a motor that is not even hooked up and that they have never even seen running? Is this a bunch of crap or could it be legit when they mention this?

Here is a motor I may be interested in: (The Force)

http://sarasota.craigslist.org/boa/4919072897.html

Now, all I would need from this is:

Good driveshaft
Good pinion gear
Good powerhead with good compression and no cracks in block


If that all checks out, I could probably get this thing for $300 and scrap the rest for $200-$300. Almost free with that.

Any suggestions/advice for buying something like this and not ending up with a pile of junk. Not a big risk but if the block is bad it would be a waste.

I would basically check these things:
1.) Compression (if even possible)
2.) Remove lower unit if he will let me to check drive shaft or turn prop and flywheel to check for any grinding
3.) Check gear lube for metal shavings

Thanks in advance.

 

[gm280]

Personally I can't see how anybody can verify compression without being able to spin it over and fairly quickly too to be able to measure it with a compression gauge. If there is some magical way, I don't know about it. Buying such things with only the sellers statements (no telling if any of those are true or when that person actually tested it last) you get what you see all the time. So it is basically a "crap-shoot"! If you feel lucky, go for it. But as stated millions of times before; "Let the buyer beware"... JMHO!

 

[sjbs]

You can spin the engine with a cordless drill and a socket on the flywheel nut.

 

[gm280]

You can spin the engine with a cordless drill and a socket on the flywheel nut.

WOW sjbs, what type cordless drills do you own? That may work on a single cylinder (maybe), but with multiple cylinders and any compression, I don't see how a cordless drill could spin it... Maybe I just have wimpier cordless drills they yours, because I don't see any of my drills having enough ump to spin over most any engine... JMHO!

 

[racerone]

Most motors can be pulled over with a cord.----Will get you very good compression test results too.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Both of these in the pic can be tested.
But it's probably easier to just swap motors.
The shifter might work?? maybe not depending on year.
The Force has a power cable.
The Mariner will turn over with good jumper cables or a good battery charger.
My shop charger has a 200amp boost that spins the 85hp I have over real good.

I have an impact that can spin it over too. But you can over tighten the flywheel nut.

A pull rope is a hard way to test comp(I lazy) as you need at least 5-6(or more) revs to get a good reading.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Multi-cylinder 2 cycle engines can be turned by hand at the flywheel. Because the piston will pull a vacuum due to leakage at these low speeds, a multi cylinder engine will feel like it has good compression on all cylinders. Even a 2 cylinder with one bad piston will feel OK. This certainly is not a good or effective test and in no way indicates the health of the engine.

NOW instead of going crazy trying to find and replace the block and lower unit gears, first try rapping on the flywheel nut sharply a couple of times with a heavy hammer. Sometimes the splined stub will drop out. DO NOT try to swap gears and drive shaft into your lower unit. Break down and buy a good used one.

Now, in a previous post I did tell you how to repair the starter motor mount if it is the three stud type.