Old Outboards

[AHarris]

If a guy wanted to get an old outboard motor, what's the best kind of get in something from the 60s or 70s? Mercury? Evinrude? Johnson?



I'm looking for a motor for my boat and think that spending $4K on a new outboard is a shameless waste of money!

 

[ata]

You didn't say what HP you are looking for. But you really don't have to go back that far for a good deal. Boat dealers have tons of trade-ins they will sell at a good price just to get rid of them.

 

[Hoefler]

Anything carbureted would be my choice. I am an former OMC Master tech, I would get a Johnson/Evinrude personally. They are the same motor, just a different color.

 

[EDankievitch]

Just check out what ever you buy that parts are available. We've found many engine pasts discontinued on not so old engines. That said the new 4 stroke engines are awesome how quiet and fuel wise...

 

[GAmes]

Now days $4000 won't buy a very big engine, so apparantly you are looking in the 25hp range. I just looked up the NADA value of the '86 Johnson 150GT I bought new, 26 years ago. It cost about $7000 then, it's book value is now $210 (no, I did not leave out a zero). It will still push my bass boat to 57mph though.



I disagree with going carburated. A newer fuel injected engine starts easier (especially if it is cold outside) and is about 4 times as efficient burning fuel. I get about 1. 5 mpg. If you get an older engine find an older mechanic, the young ones can't fathom a non-computerized engine.