How old is your engine?

[Sea Mitch]

RB set me to thinkin'. Do I really need a new engine. How long do they last? Out of curiosity, how long have you had or do you keep your engines? Do you run them till they quit or do you replace 'em while they're still worth something.

 

[OBJ]

Re: How old is your engine?

Which one firstboat?????<br /><br />Uhhhhh let's see....<br /><br />I got three '47s' that ain't never been in the water.<br /><br />I got a '23 2.2 Johnson that runs.<br /><br />I got a '36 Rude 31.2hp that need rebuilt.<br /><br />I got a '38 9.3 Johnny that runs.<br /><br />I got a '84 50hp Johnny on the toon that runs...Like a top.<br /><br />I got a '86 90hp Johnny on the StarCraft that I rebuilt....blew up and rebuilt again....that runs.<br /><br />Uhhhhhh....and a bunch outside that needs work <br /><br />Hows' that?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: How old is your engine?

89' Johnson 28 HP runs perfect, no problems...<br /><br />91' rude 70 HP runs perfect, no problems...<br /><br />Had a 67' Merc 650 that I ran till I sold it a few years ago. Ran great..<br /><br />Outboard motors will run a long time if cared for. If your old one has been good to you, I'd hang on to it. The larger displacement motors tend to hold their value well, especially a Yammy. I would run it till it started giving me problems that were affecting my boating in a big way.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: How old is your engine?

I have a 69 Merc 1250 that never skips a beat. Age is irrelevant, it is how it is cared for.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: How old is your engine?

I'm with OBJ. Got two 46 Mercs, a 46 Martin, a 47 Champion, a 38 and 44 Neptune, and a 41 Johnson. Plus a 73 Merc 500 on my boat. All running. Gotta take care of them, but once you get more than four...others start following you home.

 

[TPD211]

Re: How old is your engine?

I have a 1993 Evinrude 88 Spl that came with the deck boat I bought.<br />I was a little worried about the motor.<br />I bought it from a older guy that has had it for 2 years. He said it was sitting for 4 years before he bought it as part of some guys estate and had not been run.<br />I had a minor problem with it that a carb rebuild cured. Probably from sitting for so long.<br />Compression is 120 and 125 on the cylinders. <br />Plugs are tan. It runs fine for me. <br />Maybe I lucked out.......

 

[DS-3]

Re: How old is your engine?

1958 18hp Speedtwin. Pulled the head 2 years ago to replace the gasket and the cyls showed no visible wear. I've run this motor for over 20 years on a 18' duck/fishing boat. Good oil is the life of an outboard motor.

 

[KeltonKrew]

Re: How old is your engine?

1986 Merc 35....still like new

 

[18rabbit]

Re: How old is your engine?

’78 Johnson 115 Seahorse. Supposedly the worst year for these motors…never had a problem since acquired in ’94.

 

[roscoe]

Re: How old is your engine?

'74 merc 7.5, overheated it till it siezed up 6 or 7 years ago. Put in a new waterpump and it was back on the boat. Man did that thing make a racket, can't believe it still runs.<br /><br />'85 Johnson 15 since new, runs well.<br />'95 Force 70, due for a carb overhaul, but runs well.<br />'82 35hp Evinrude, beat into the ground, but pops right off and runs better than a $200 motor should.

 

[montanaman]

Re: How old is your engine?

If I've said it one time I've said it a thousand times, "If it aint broke, don't fix it". Each engine is unique, some go bad quick and some last a lifetime. One thing always helps, preventive maintenance. The old stuff seems to have alot more character though.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: How old is your engine?

Heck, my newest motor is older than most - a 1980 Johnson Stinger 75 with over a 700 hours on a 10-year old rebuild and who knows how many before that. I decarbon every season, change the gear oil at least once a season, and replace the impeller every 3-4 seasons. I use OMC branded oil, quality gas, and I don't beat on the motor when I run it. Take care of your motors and 99% of the time they'll take care of you...<br /><br />My oldest - 1909 Evinrude Rowboat Motor - #780!<br /><br />- Scott

 

[one more cast]

Re: How old is your engine?

1965 sea-king (omc) 5 hp,looks and runs great.<br /> late 70's johnson 15 hp, looks good and runs great.<br /> 1983 johnson 35 hp looks and runs great.<br /> as far as I know all three of these motors have never been rebuilt. I also have an old Firestone and Royal that run but havn't been used in a while

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: How old is your engine?

1958 Mercury Mark 58 (project motor)<br /><br />1961 Merc 800 (perfect runner)<br /><br />1988 Merc 115 (my driver)<br /><br />-W

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: How old is your engine?

MY 1970 merc 1150 runs like a top

 

[deofc]

Re: How old is your engine?

1978 70 HP Johnson....I bought it (and boat) used 3 years ago....had to put a new power pak on it not long after I bought it...since then it runs great...cranks up right away. Mechanic that I had check it out said it is a great running motor...uh...now I have cursed it.

 

[dk990496]

Re: How old is your engine?

1983 Johnson Seahorse 115HP

 

[cjones4@hvc.rr.com]

Re: How old is your engine?

1963 Evinrude 75HP elctric shift<br /><br />1972 Johnson 6HP<br /><br />Both used heavily each summer and still purrin.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: How old is your engine?

Years means nothing to an engine. If in 1974 you took a brand new mercury inline 6, submerged it in oil, and left it for 200 years it would still run like new in the year 2174. (of course it would be banned in every lake by then ) My '74 merc. inline 6 ran like new up until september when I forgot to use oil. It's replacement should run like new too...

 

[Sea Mitch]

Re: How old is your engine?

By looking at the location of most of you guys, it appears your boats are kept in fresh water. Does anybody have an old engine that has been subjected to saltwater use?