is it worth rebuilding my 91 Johnson 150gt?

[Odawg753]

Hey guys, like the title says, is it worth it? The motor runs great but crankcase seal is leaking. I did a temporary fix with jb weld last season lol and it surprisingly held up. But I don't want any surprises this year. So I was contemplating looking for newer fuel injection 2 stroke and spend more money, or rebuild for less in hopes it will be good to go and not a can of worms

 

[gm280]

Oh Odawg753, while the experts on these forums are very good, I haven't seen one yet that could predict the future. A rebuild could come out great, and then there are the other ones. Personally, I would go for the rebuilt for a few reasons. But mind you, these are only MY opinions. First, you would certainly know everything about your engine after a rebuild. Secondly if you honestly did it correct, it would be a new engine. Thirdly, it WILL cost a lot less then a new engine. So that would be my opinion, I certainly would rebuild. But I am also certain other will see it totally different then I. JMHO :noidea:

 

[ondarvr]

I don't rebuild them, the cost and time doesn't normally make it worth it to me. I sell the motor and take the money I would have spent on the rebuild and I can typically upgrade a decade or two in design and technology for just a few dollars more.

 

[airshot]

I don't rebuild them, the cost and time doesn't normally make it worth it to me. I sell the motor and take the money I would have spent on the rebuild and I can typically upgrade a decade or two in design and technology for just a few dollars more.

Many of us do just that due to time and effort, but you never know what your getting when you buy used. I wouldn't consider a 91 an old motor for an outboard so if it is rebuilt he knows the motor is new. He might consider paying to have it done if there is a worthwhile warranty that comes with it. My I/O is a 1983 and I had no problem rebuilding that, good as new at a 70% savings, can put a lot more repairs into it at that rate.

 

[racerone]

Some " well to do " folks insist on the concept that " new is best "---A 1991 motor would be a simple machine with little in the way of computer and sensor technology.----rebuild it i would say.-----Crankcase leaks are an easy fix too.

 

[ondarvr]

I didn't say the 91 was a bad motor, and I never said I was buying "new", I said it's easy to upgrade a decade or so in technology for very little difference in cost.

As a guy that's done plenty of rebuilds on just about any type motor you can imagine, I find that you frequently just keep replacing stuff, and then, long before the motor wears out you upgrade anyhow. At this point when you sell it you never get any of the money you put into it back.

 

[Faztbullet]

I myself would not as its a crossflow.....$$ would be better spent in selling and upgrading to looper.

 

[jimmbo]

New and Improved, didn't work out well for a lot of people who bought Ficht engines. Suddenly Old and Lousy looked pretty good. E-tecs are really just 2nd or 3rd generation Fichts. As mentioned before, a 'properly done' rebuild/overhaul will be very close to what the engine was like when new. When not properly done... well, an expanded vocabulary will be very prominent. You might be surprised how well JB Weld can stick when you don't want it to anymore.

 

[ondarvr]

New and Improved, didn't work out well for a lot of people who bought Ficht engines. Suddenly Old and Lousy looked pretty good. E-tecs are really just 2nd or 3rd generation Fichts. As mentioned before, a 'properly done' rebuild/overhaul will be very close to what the engine was like when new. When not properly done... well, an expanded vocabulary will be very prominent. You might be surprised how well JB Weld can stick when you don't want it to anymore.

I didn't say pick the worst motor/technology you can find. Since he wouldn't be buying new, he would know what motors were good and bad in the year or price range he could afford.

 

[jimmbo]

I didn't say pick the worst motor/technology you can find. Since he wouldn't be buying new, he would know what motors were good and bad in the year or price range he could afford.

I didn't, if I had, I would have said 4 strokes. That oughta ruffle somebody! I was just responding to Racerone. Ok there were 2 stroke EFI engines in the late 80s early 90s by Mercury. They were pretty reliable. The problems didn't come along until DI was introduced.

 

[gm280]

Folks the only reason I lean towards rebuilding is because I really enjoy doing things like that. So it was really no real option for me. Just saying. :noidea:

 

[dingbat]

No, I wouldn't put time and effort into a 30 year outboard unless its a classic of some value.

 

[jimmbo]

Folks the only reason I lean towards rebuilding is because I really enjoy doing things like that. So it was really no real option for me. Just saying. :noidea:

That is as good a reason as any to do so. Outboard Motor Kit, some machining and assembly, required

 

[racerone]

Party asked about a V-6 outboard .---I explained that I had a 1985 model to be rebuilt.----He said----" perfect that is what I want "----Had no need for any fancy , hard to fix new fangled motors at 5 times the price !