farting around with outboards

[Throbbin Rods]

I took a ride today to help out a young guy with a poor running 1986 johnson 88 spl. I had been trying to get there but life kept happening. He did most of the work but I had my hands in there too. 4 completely plugged passages in the carbs, 3 partially plugged. old hard hoses, He went to the parts store and got fuel hose and cyclo carb cleaner - my favorite lol.
Cleaned everything up and put it back together. Got the muffs on it and it fired right up. he said it sounded better than it ever had. I walked over and shifted it into gear and goosed it a little and she sounded fine! He was some excited. He is headed for the lake for a test drive. I then came home and un tarped the boat a co worker dropped off for me to evaluate. looks like a 1966 or 67 motor. Starter was seized.. Only two brushes left out of 4. Inside of the starter was full of rust and the commutator was work down further than I have ever seen one. Took the carp apart and there was stuff growing in it. I stopped there. If it was mine I wouldn't put 50 cents in the motor. Boat is no prize either.an old late 60's Howard that someone put a transom in.
I love a day messing with boats

 

[Alex in Canada]

Sounds like my dad and I! We've ran an old ~1959 40hp Viking (made by OMC, for Eatons I believe?) for some 25 years. We replaced just about every hose on that engine, as well as the diaphragm and impellers, until we finally upgraded to a brand spankin new 1972 Mercury 700 70hp. Got it in 2010 in not running condition off an old boat. It fired right up without any parts required, and we've been running it ever since. Outboards sure can be a lot of fun!

 

[ambenz]

I was pricing new outboard motors and they are really pricey!
Has to be worth a person's while to look into a refurbished used unit.
We had a few old one when I was a kid.
Dad would fix them up and if they were under 30hp, test run them in a 55 gallon oil drum full of water.
Something that always stuck in my head....like blending a big Margretta...LOL!

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Dad would fix them up and if they were under 30hp, test run them in a 55 gallon oil drum full of water.
Something that always stuck in my head....like blending a big Margretta...LOL!

I vividly remember the 55 gallon test drum outside the maintenance shed at Nemanie Lodge from when I was younger. They had a whole bunch of rental rowboats and outboards, mostly Johnsons and Evinrudes from the 60's & 70's. Dad used to take us all over that lake in that little boat before we bought our Glasspar.

Good memories indeed.

Tommy

 

[MushCreek]

I grew up tinkering with outboards, and now have a small collection of antiques. My oldest is a 1922 Johnson Waterbug. I have a WWII Johnson PO15 military, and nearly the whole line-up of 1957 Johnsons, my favorite year.

The PO15 is a monster- 22 hp, pull cord, no gear shift, so when (if) it starts, you're going!

Now that I've moved away from the coast, I'm not sure what to do with the collection. There are lakes around here, but no real clubs to join. I'll probably sell them off, just keeping a couple little ones for decoration and nostalgia's sake. Oddly enough, most antique outboards aren't worth much at all.

 

[bert1913]

i would replace the water pump if that hasn’t been done in a while...cheap insurance

 

[killahog]

I picked this little gem up last month for $240.00 I was told it had never been started, that’s probably not true but it’s a 1974 and is really good shape. Now if I had not gave hit the deer with the truck on the way home it would have better.