Scrap the old engine and buy this one?

[Ki Ki]

So, many of you may have been reading about my saga with the 1970s 50 hp Johnson. It's been in the shop since day one and the repairs are mounting.

Started with carbs, now it's running on 1 cylinder (with good compression though). Should I cut my losses and make an offer on this Johnson? http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/boa/1845632366.html

Any guesses on how much or how long a mechanic would take/ charge to take my old engine off and replace it with this one?

 

[RobbyA]

Re: Scrap the old engine and buy this one?

How do you know the guy getting rid of that one, isn't having the same problem as you are on your motor?

He could be trying to dump it quick and get rid of his problem!

Essentially what you will do when you find another motor.

 

[Ki Ki]

Re: Scrap the old engine and buy this one?

You're exactly right. I suppose I should cool my jets.

The mechanic was cool though, he basically told me to be patient and he'd be easy on me with labor. So that was cool.

I figure this, I got the whole boat for under $1000 with the engine/ trailer. If I can get it all running for $1400, then great. It'll be running better than ever.

What scares me is how much you could possibly put into an old engine. If it has good compression, could I end up putting another $1000 into it!?

 

[Doernuth]

Re: Scrap the old engine and buy this one?

Depends on the cost of the parts. I had a 85hp force outboard. The ignition modules, there were 2, were $400 a piece. If the engine has good compression I would focus on the electricals. Is there spark to all cylinders?

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: Scrap the old engine and buy this one?

Fundamentally, the 50hp (I assume it is a 2cyl) is a better motor than that 65, since it looks to have the tricky electric shift which I would avoid if possible.

 

[Ki Ki]

Re: Scrap the old engine and buy this one?

Fundamentally, the 50hp (I assume it is a 2cyl) is a better motor than that 65, since it looks to have the tricky electric shift which I would avoid if possible.

This is good to know. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and put the money into the 50 hp Johnson.

Woah, $400 a piece for ignition modules? I have no clue what my engine needs. It sounds electrical now that the carbs are finished being rebuilt.

I guess if compression is good, what CAN be the most expensive repair?

 

[RobbyA]

Re: Scrap the old engine and buy this one?

Stator or Timing base can be costly, but for 1K roughly you could replace every electrical component and have virtually a new motor ( If compression is good ).

Look here on iboats for all the prices of parts on your motor. I have found iboats to be the best priced for all my electrical parts. This should give you an idea. Also post over in the Johnson/ Evinrude forum and you will get plenty of help over there.

 

[JB]

Re: Scrap the old engine and buy this one?

Is there something about (not engine topics) that you don't understand?

Moving to outboard non-repair

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Scrap the old engine and buy this one?

That 65 LOOKS like a '73 which would not be an electric shift. However they looked very similar to the '72s which would be. Could be a great motor but it's probably been sitting so you could be looking at chasing down the same type of problems. A 50HP with good compression shouldn't be too perplexing to a competent mechanic. I'm sure he'll get yours running soon.

 

[Ki Ki]

Re: Scrap the old engine and buy this one?

That 65 LOOKS like a '73 which would not be an electric shift. However they looked very similar to the '72s which would be. Could be a great motor but it's probably been sitting so you could be looking at chasing down the same type of problems. A 50HP with good compression shouldn't be too perplexing to a competent mechanic. I'm sure he'll get yours running soon.

That's a good point, thanks for your response.

 

[Ki Ki]

Re: Scrap the old engine and buy this one?

Is there something about (not engine topics) that you don't understand?

Moving to outboard non-repair

Thanks for your polite response.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Scrap the old engine and buy this one?

"What else can go wrong?" "all of it, one at a time."

It is astounding how much can go wrong and what it can cost to fix it, especially if you have to hire it out. I replaced a locked-up 1988 70 Johnson with a 1987 that ran great, way better than the previous one, until it started having an intermittant short that cannot be found (it takes out the starter and PTT--the 20A fuse). Replaced the soloniod and recitifier--not too expensive. Then the controls (we thought we isolated the problem there with a temporary switch). Luckily I got used controls. Did not fix it. replaced the engine's wiring harness--that was an expensive part and I shopped it hard--$450 IIRC. Didn't fix it.

Oh, and initially I had to replace the lower unit seals. Of course I replaced the water pump as soon as I got it. Not a big deal, but it adds up.

But maybe I'm stubborn, but it otherwise runs so well, I'm keeping it. Point is, you buy another old motor, you are just changing one set of problems for another. You will never know if it's the right move.

Switching brands of motor, and sometimes years, requires switching controls, and they are pricey, or hard to find.

 

[JB]

Re: Scrap the old engine and buy this one?

Thanks for your polite response.

Sorry about that, Ki Ki.

I spend several HOURS every day moving posts placed without attention to the match between topic and forum title. The most annoying are engine posts in the forum that specifically says not engine topics. I have probably moved over a thousand in the last 9 years.

Sometimes I reach the end of my rope. I sometimes get rude.

Thanks for apologizing for your inattention that makes the moderator job tougher.

 

[444]

Re: Scrap the old engine and buy this one?

What scares me is how much you could possibly put into an old engine. If it has good compression, could I end up putting another $1000 into it!?

Easily, if you are farming work out. If you can't do the work yourself, you may be better off cutting your losses and finding a good running motor to drop on.

 

[Ki Ki]

Re: Scrap the old engine and buy this one?

Sorry about that, Ki Ki.

I spend several HOURS every day moving posts placed without attention to the match between topic and forum title. The most annoying are engine posts in the forum that specifically says not engine topics. I have probably moved over a thousand in the last 9 years.

Sometimes I reach the end of my rope. I sometimes get rude.

Thanks for apologizing for your inattention that makes the moderator job tougher.

Sorry for my inattention to that. Love these forums, don't want to cheese off the mods so quickly!

 

[Ki Ki]

Re: Scrap the old engine and buy this one?

Easily, if you are farming work out. If you can't do the work yourself, you may be better off cutting your losses and finding a good running motor to drop on.

That's what I'm afraid of. Because I'm looking at owing the mechanic $200 for the carb job and cleaning out the fuel pump (or whatever he did), plus the money I paid for the boat/ engine. Then to scrap that engine with the work into seems frustrating, since I might pick up a new motor with a new set of problems.

I'm absolutely baffled how the engine can go from stalling while going into gear, but once in gear planing. To after a carb rebuild (by a mechanic) not 'seeming to run on one cylinder'. Even though both cylinders have good compression... just lost here.