You've all heard they old saying that "they don´t make them like they used to..." Does this apply to outboards?<br />After a lot of work - which I have enjoyed about every bit of, and with a lot of invaluable info found in this forum - I´m about to reach a stage where I can take my 14' project boat out for the first time. I bought a rebuilt 70HP 78 Evinrude in USA and had it shipped to the UK where I live.<br />It´s an old motor and it´s too late now for second thoughts as I´m finally mounting it on the boat this weekend. <br /><br />I know newer ones are lighter, quieter, more efficient and all that, but they are also much more complicated and harder to fix and maintain, not to mention cost, so I come to my question: Everything else being equal, can the older motors outlast the newer ones and with good preventative maintenance, can they be as, or close to as reliable as the newer ones?<br /><br />I draw comparison to my 1983 Suzuki GS(X)1100ES motorcycle engine - it´s old, aircooled, noisy and heavy, but so overengineered that you can double the horsepower for drag-racing without even looking at the lower end. It´s still one of the most popular drag-racing engine today and although my bike only has a few minor mods, she can still hold her own on any given day.<br /><br />Also, are there any inherent reliability issues on the 70HP Evinrude or any particular snags that I should be looking out for on this model, as I am hoping that this motor will become a good friend (guess I need to go out more) and hopefully keep it (and boat) for a long time. I´m not trying to justify my purchase, just hoping for some good, constructive comments as I´m still very new to this. Many thanks, Siggi.
<br /><br />The JohnnyRude 3 cylinder loopers were years ahead of the market in the 70s. That is not an "old" engine design, it is a 90s engine that happened to be built 20 years early.<br /><br />The latest engines add weight along with the exotic technology, but they also add much more precise manufacturing which, with proper care, will make them last and last.<br /><br />If the "rebuild" was properly done you have a new engine that will last as long as it is well cared for.<br /><br />When you say "old" outboard around these guys (self included) that means pre-1960s.
