[Grits]

Hello Everyone

I have a '94 120 Evinrude. It was a in salt water and some of the lower head bolts seem to be corroded. The engine runs good.

My first thought was to replace all of the head bolts and the head gaskets while I was at it. The engine only has two hundred hours on it. Is there anything I should or could do while I have the heads off? Should I just leave well enough alone. I do plan on keeping the boat.

I know very little about outboards but I am a pretty good mechanic and machinist (armature on both). My first thought was to take a few thousands off the head to true everything up an slightly increase the compression. I would have the machine work done. Am I completely nuts?

Thanks you for your help and comments.

Grits

[tashasdaddy]

this was just discussed here. if running good, why? you take the chance of breaking a bolt, rounding off a bolt head. etc. then you are in for real work.

[Grits]

Good Point, been there, done that.

Grits

[Dhadley]

As for upping the compression, putting on a set of small bore V4 heads is the easiest way. That way when you burn a piston you still have a good set of big bore heads to put back on after a rebuild.

Besides, 87 octane is expensive enough. I can't imagine having to run 93 in a recreational boat.

[noelm]

that is possibly the best and most honest, acurate reply I have heard in ages, well done! I alway thought you knew OMC Outboards inside out, that confirms it!

[Grits]

Thank you all for you very good advice. Even though it is contradictory to my nature, I am going to leave well enough alone.

Thank you,

Grits