Back for more motor advice...

LadyLuck · #1 08-12-2009, 09:31 AM

23' CC 1974 Alright, i have a decision to make with some real numbers now. 2 1990 evinrude 120's were looked over by a trustworthy local guy. One is shot and must be rebuilt, he is telling me 1600 for this. the other has 100 all around on compression and am told needs need seals and some other minor work. he wants to send off the ss props for repair, do some work to the lower units on both, paint them and convert them to run on oil/fuel premix. He has told me for 4-5k this all can be done and they will look and run close to new. Should I go for the repair on 20 year old engines (is cost reasonable) or find something a few years old maybe a 250 4 stroke or twins of some sort and spend more money for something newer?
Open to any advice.

LL

KenB · #2 08-12-2009, 10:26 AM

Those are giant lawnmower motors. I had a 115 on my mako17 that I did a lot of work on myself. Find someone you trust to call for advice and also buy the service manual. You can get most parts super cheap at NAPA. Obviously, there are many fixes on those motors that will take a good shop, but for example you can do the oil/premix conversion yourself in under an hour. The whole point of running twins is that if one craps out you can get home on the other.

I am sure this guy is a solid guy and not a fraud (there are lot's of frauds out there in the used engine world) but he has to make a buck. His prices sound right, but that seems to be a lot of work for old motors (that are generally thought to be pretty bullet proof). On the other hand, if you give this guy your business, there is the off chance that he will do right by you and take care of you in the future (or he might keep gouging you because you are an easy mark... I have experienced both. There is a horror story of my buddy going in and asking for a $100 fuel pump to be replaced. When he came back, they did the whole prop/paint thing and wanted $1000, with $600 for labor on a $300 motor. He gave them $100 and got his old parts back, but had to throw a nutty in the shop.)

I personally would not spend 4-5K on 20 year old motors. BUT expect to be shelling out almost twice that by the time you get done trying to replace with even a used 4s. I wouldn't do more than oil changes on a 4s, especially if you can find an EFI/computer one. If that one engine is shot, finding a replacement head should be much cheaper than fixing the current one, but not if you pay someone else to do it.

zach · #3 08-12-2009, 11:50 AM

If these are in your budget, I'd do this in a heartbeat.

http://www.thehulltruth.com/fishing-...outboards.html

castalot · #4 08-12-2009, 07:36 PM

WOW!!!!! i can only dream!!!!!they would be perfect

JohnB · #5 08-13-2009, 08:32 AM

I know the owner of these motors, and he is as straight up as they come. Also, they have been serviced by one of the best evinrude guys there is. If they are in your budget, I don't think you could go wrong.

1bayouboy · #6 08-13-2009, 09:47 AM

"throw a nutty...." In Australia I believe they
call it "chucking a wobbly"...

LadyLuck · #7 08-13-2009, 03:20 PM

any opinions on possibly twin 115's? I found a pretty good deal on 2 yamaha 4 strokes 2006. will this be enough power?

Ryank · #8 08-13-2009, 03:53 PM

My take on those is this, The point of twins for many people is safety and security knowing if one fails you can make it back home. Knowing that there are several things to consider. One is Seatow or Tow boat US, tows you from just about any distance for a low cost of 149 a year +/-. The other is that with engines that small if one fails the other will get you home but no faster then if you had a 10 or 15hp kicker motor. Twin 150's may plane you individualy but not 115hp. My preference is always a good reliable strong single and either seatow or a good kicker. Twins will burn more fuel then a single, weigh more , take up more room, cost twice in maintenance repairs, and for similar HP are slower. a single 300hp would push a 23 almost the same speed as twin 200's or 225's with half the fuel , maintenance costs. My opinions only, but If I had my choice I would opt for a Single 225-300 hp engine, my 23 Savage has a single 225 efi yami and with 5 people and dive gear for 3 including 8 tanks, will still run 30mph no problem, at 4400 rpm and burns about 16gph it burns much less with less weight. You spoke about spending 4-5k I have seen several 4st motors in the 225 250 range that have reasonable hours for just a bit more money. A well maintained 4st will last you 3-4k hours np. a 2st about half that at best but the price to repair/ rebuild is usualy less. OR buy a new Suzuki and finance it

Bigshrimpin · #9 08-13-2009, 05:11 PM

If you are mechanically inclined and have the time . . . find a good fresh water parts motor and swap the parts. Otherwise . . . go with a brand new big single and kicker. IMO - it's not worth paying someone 5K to keep those loopers alive (when you can just buy 4 good spare used 4 cylinder loopers for the same price) and mix and match parts.

LadyLuck · #10 08-14-2009, 10:28 AM

Thanks guys, old evinrudes are on craigslist as of this morning...i really like the look of don's brackets...gonna try to find a good deal on a 250 or 300 and put it on that. let me know if you see any deals...LL