Is there a bad 8-10hp 4 stroke engine?

[ebry710]

I am looking for a kicker to my Whaler and have read that Yamaha, Suzuki, Mercury and Honda put out a good 8-10 horsepower 4 strokes, but as I look around I see that Nissan, Briggs and lesser named Japanese manufacturers produce 4 stroke engines. I there a bad brand?

Has anyone had a problem with older four strokes like Honda?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is there a bad 8-10hp 4 stroke engine?

Briggs is a lawn mower motor. i think they are pretty much equal. service center close by would be a big factor to me.

 

[pvanv]

Re: Is there a bad 8-10hp 4 stroke engine?

Gotta agree 100% with TD. With the notable exception of the Briggs, which is an air-cooled lawn-mower transplant -- and an entirely different thread, they are all good motors. Dealer convenience and service is worth a lot. The Merc, BTW, is actually a Tohatsu in "sheep's clothing" for a lot more money. As a Tohatsu/Nissan dealer/mechanic, my choices would be Tohatsu, Nissan, Merc, and then the rest, in that order, due to sticker pricing.

If weight is an issue, the Tohatsu/Nissan 8/9.8 weighs in at 86 pounds. You may find the comparable Suzy or Honda a bit heavier.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Is there a bad 8-10hp 4 stroke engine?

That is what I figure for the Briggs. I actually bought a Honda lawnmower so I would have a Briggs engine.

I just missed a 2003 Nissan for $650, but I hadn't heard much about them. A lot of people are dumping their boat stuff around here. The economy and low lakes (potential CA drought) are taking their toll.

 

[Eshaw150]

Re: Is there a bad 8-10hp 4 stroke engine?

1 potential down side of a brigs engine is that it is an air cooled engine being an air cooled engine it is not good for it to idle excessivly on a lawnmower they are auctually reved up for optimum cooling

i would go with a tohusto or nissan I have heard from a lot of locals that they are really good
on place discountoutboads.com sells them really cheap and yes the merc is the same motor just more costly and dressed different