1968 45hp Wards character traits?

[balex1873]

Howdy all!! This is my first post here so I hope I'm in the right place.
I was given a 1968 Wards Sea King 45 hp mod# vwb27945B 86x outboard. This motor ran well about 5 years ago and has been stored since. My question is what if any bad traits should I check for (preventative mantainance). I hooked up a battery and turned this motor over which seemed fine, I also gave it a shot of starting fluid and it fired, so my next step is the test run in the drive way with water after I change the lower unit oil. What should I be looking for on this motor (rotten seals, wires, etc)? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Brian.

 

[steven4141]

Re: 1968 45hp Wards character traits?

Don't know much about the Wards, but starting fluid in a 2 stroke is the fastest way known to man, to destroy your engine. It remove the oil from the cylinder walls,( which it get from the oil gas mixture), this is a 2 strokes only lubrication. running it dry even for a couple seconds can lock it up. You might want to ask the guys in the other outboards section here on the forum about the Wards.

 

[balex1873]

Re: 1968 45hp Wards character traits?

Thank you for your reply, I will try posting around. "B"