fair price?

[fishdog4449]

I've been looking for a kicker/aux for my 17' glassmaster. I was using a friends merc 3.3 which suited me fine but he needs it back for the jon boat. I'm going to look at this over the weekend, she turns over and has new coils, water pump, and clean carb, but whenever they say "ran fine when last used", you've gotta make sure.
Seller will let it go for 100$. If it runs is this a fair price?
Thanks

http://richmond.craigslist.org/boa/837992699.html

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: fair price?

if it checks out, has spark, and good compression, it's a steal at $100.
BUYING A USED MOTOR

overall condition, condition of the place you are buying it from, usually tells you how they care for things. compression 100 + psi, and within 10% of each other, good strong blue spark, no water in the lower unit oil. look for discolored paint, (sign of over heat at
one time, also scarred up bolts, as why. have them start it. if they fail to put it in a barrell or tank, or on muffs, or in the water, to start it they don't know what they are doing. best yet is to take it for a 30 min to 1 hour test run. also if remote controlled motor, the controls should come with


you won't get 100psi with that rope start, just pull the rope till the compression quits going up. then the 10 % rule.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: fair price?

Myself, I think that is a fair price if as you say, it runs. Like you, I always have to wonder when they say it hasn't run in three years but it has a clean carb and new impeller and coils. If so, it should run like a top and they should be able to demonstrate that in a barrel at least. The lower unit gears/clutch dog could also be bad and you'd never know it in a barrel. However, those 5.5's are awesome motors and really can't be beat if you need a small motor in that hp range. If it actually does have new coils and a new impeller which isn't "set" from sitting for 3 years, it's a good buy. However, if they can't show you the motor running, assume it's a parts motor and if it turns out it's good, count yourself lucky. If I were looking for a 5.5hp outboard, that would be the best you could buy I would think.
Good luck,
JBJ

 

[wbeaton]

Re: fair price?

I've learned never to believe "it has new coils" until I've seen them myself. That is a great engine, but to be honest it probably needs work. At the very least it needs an impeller about $20. If it needs a tune-up you are looking at about $200 in parts. The lower unit probably leaks. Add $30+ for a seal kit. I recently sold a 1962 that I completely tuned-up, resealed and repainted for $300. However, with a total investment of $300 and proper maintenance you would have a great little outboard that should last another 45 years.