1987 Evinrude 20 HP Identification & Question

[therealblurfl]

Hi iboats users,

I recently sold my motorcycle to pursue something different and decided to get back out on to the water. I bought a 70's 14 foot TomBoy Trihull with a 1987 Evinrude 20HP motor which I was not able to see run but the price was right so I bought it. After replacing the impeller, which was the only issue the seller disclosed, I couldn't get the motor started. I'm pretty mechanically inclined but I decided to take it to a mechanic to get the motor professionally diagnosed. After calling more places that I ever thought I would need to, all of which told me the motor was too old for them to touch, I finally brought it to someone in my area who specialized in older motors. After having the motor for a day he informed me that the motor had likely overheated, evidenced by melted wiring, and the powerpack was bad which explained why the motor was getting no spark. He also informed me that he performed a compression test on the motor and each cylinder was only sitting around 50 psi. I decided that it doesn't make sense to put too much money into the motor so I got to looking for a new one online. This is where my question comes in.

I cannot find a model number anywhere on the motor, but the previous owner informed me that the model number is E20CRCUR. This seems to be right because the impeller kit that I purchased for the motor was a perfect match. In my search for a new motor for my boat, I found a 1987 Evinrude 20 HP motor, which looks just like mine, that runs excellently and is priced to sell because the lower unit is in need of attention. This motor appeals to me because I just replaced the water pump on my motor and know that the lower unit is in good shape. The reason I haven't bought it yet, however, is because the motor has electric start, while mine doesn't, and the gentleman told me that the model number of his motor is E20CRLCUR. This situation has left me with three questions:

1. Is there any place specifically to look on my motor to verify the model number?
2. Is the only difference between the 1987 E20CRCUR and E20CRLCUR the electric start?
3. Would the lower unit from my E20CRCUR(if that's what it is) fit on the E20CRLCUR?

I know this post was wordy, but I tried to include ALL relevant info now to help get a good grasp on the situation I am in. Thanks in advance!

 

[hardwater fisherman]

The "L" in the model number indicates a long shaft or 20" motor.... So depending on the height of your transom it may be too long...... The electric start was probably added as the CR means Canada--Derated Rope start..... If the model number is not on the transom bracket it could be on a quarter size silver disc on the block of the motor....Sometimes it is just the serial number though.... If the motors are compatible then I think it may be a fairly simple swap to turn the long shaft into a short shaft...But wait for someone with more knowledge to confirm that...

 

[flyingscott]

If .you are positive the lower unit on yours is good, just swap the powerheads around. If your motor is a manual start you can add the recoil to the new motor and use your hood. If the longshaft motor is a remote model they usually do not have shallowater drive. Your shorshaft will ,so it would be best to use your motor. Have a mechanic check the powerhead out.

 

[racerone]

This family of motors was the same from about 1985 to 2007 or so.-----Many , if not most parts are the same year to year.

 

[Chinewalker]

Swap the lower units. Use the driveshaft from the motor you wish to use - they just pull right out with the water pump removed. Much easier than swapping powerheads...

 

[therealblurfl]

Wow guys, thanks for all of the great responses and suggestions! A couple of things,

-I know the lower unit on my motor is in good shape because I asked the mechanic who did the other diagnosis on my motor
-It looks like the lower unit is actually what accommodates the extra length for the shaft, rather than the motor, is this a correct assumption?

I have included a picture of the motor I am thinking of purchasing as well as a picture of my motor. Definitely looks like a match and possibly looks like the extra length on the longshaft is in the lower unit.

 

[Willyclay]

This family of motors was the same from about 1985 to 2007 or so.-----Many , if not most parts are the same year to year.

FYI, the 25 & 30hp versions will work also. Good luck!

 

[therealblurfl]

FYI, the 25 & 30hp versions will work also. Good luck!

Thanks! I am going to try and go look at the motor on Sunday. It looks like it should be fairly simple to get whatever I need from my motor to make the lower unit swap work.

 

[hardwater fisherman]

I may be wrong but both those motors look like short shaft motors... I believe a long shaft looks like the one in this picture...

 

[therealblurfl]

I may be wrong but both those motors look like short shaft motors... I believe a long shaft looks like the one in this picture...

My thoughts too. this is the photo he posted along with the other one I attached earlier.

 

[racerone]

Short or long the lower unit is the same !-----The length of the exhaust housing changes.-----The factory long shaft has a longer exhaust housing.----A short shaft can be converted to long by adding a 5" spacer between the lower unit and exhaust housing.

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Short or long the lower unit is the same !-----The length of the exhaust housing changes.-----The factory long shaft has a longer exhaust housing.----A short shaft can be converted to long by adding a 5" spacer between the lower unit and exhaust housing.

Yes I understand this... I figured since there is almost no space between the "clam shells" and the gearcase in his photos that they are probably short shaft motors....All though the model number indicates a long shaft so maybe it has been converted to a short shaft?

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Short or long the lower unit is the same !-----The length of the exhaust housing changes.-----The factory long shaft has a longer exhaust housing.----A short shaft can be converted to long by adding a 5" spacer between the lower unit and exhaust housing.

Yes I understand this... I figured since there is almost no space between the "clam shells" and the gearcase in his photos that they are probably short shaft motors....All though the model number indicates a long shaft so maybe it has been converted to a short shaft? And I do not see the 5" extension....