1980's Honda 10hp

[Vintage Boat Guy]

I have a buddy that just got a 1980's 10hp Honda outboard. The previous owner said it needed a carb job. Are these motors easy to get parts for? It's his first outboard, I've own many outboards and have repaired many from 1939-1981. Are these motors any good or are they just a boat anchor? He wants to use it constantly and it will be beat on pretty good if he treats it like his motor bike. I was telling him I would fix it and sell it as I am an OMC guy.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Re: 1980's Honda 10hp

I have one of those and it runs like a clock. I don't hit it hard, just idle around pulling kokanee trolling gear. But I do that for days at a time. The Hondas will just keep right on ticking with decent maintenance. And quiet enough for me as well. Beats hell out of trolling with the sterndrive!

I have found parts reasonably easy to find. There are a number of online sources, some of which have a pretty poor reputation around here.(coughboatdotnet). Usually I can find most stuff on an OEM parts site, or Amazon.

I'd say simple and easy to work on except the one toughie - pulling the connector nut off the top of the shift rod to split the gear case off and service the water pump. Pretty easy other than that little tight hidden bugger that seems to mostly require you have fine well formed Japanese hands that can do neuro surgery in tight places. Even that you get used to after a couple times and it goes pretty fast.

I bought the printed service manual off Amazon for $40 new. Well worth it if he keeps the motor.

Rick