Sears Tanaka Gamefisher 3.0 HP Modifications

[PointBlank017]

Has anyone modified these engines to get more power out of them? I have one and it works great on my 12' jon boat but I would like to get a little more power out of it if I can.

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: Sears Tanaka Gamefisher 3.0 HP Modifications

I don't know if you can modify it but even if you could you are never going to get much power out of that motor.
What you need to do is sell it and buy a 10-15 hp outboard.
That is a nice looking motor so you should be able to get $300-$400 for that "thing" on ebay.
Sell it and then buy a 10-15 hp name brand motor.

My buddy bought an old 1.5 Tanaka from a friend of his at work for $40.00. We had to do a little work to get it running but when we got it fired up it sounded exactly like a string trimmer. We ended up cutting the weeds around his house with it. Never did use it on a boat. What a p.o.s.. That thing had no power. I see people spending $150-$300 for old 2.5 Tanaka's on Ebay. Fools

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Sears Tanaka Gamefisher 3.0 HP Modifications

Forget getting more out of that Tanaka engine. It's already at it's maximum, I guarantee.

Yours looks pretty good, so it'd probably pull some money on ebay. Then, buy an older Johnson or Evinrude that matches the maximum hp rating on your boat's tag. Most 12' jon boats are rated at between 5-10hp. It might cost you a little more, but the difference will be amazing. They're quiet, smooth-running, and don't vibrate.

Those little Tanaka's are essentially crappy little outboards, derived from string-trimmer engines. Blech! Seriously.