1989 Yamaha WR500F

ryanr623

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 11, 2008
Messages
489
Just picked this ski up for $450. First Ski. It runs great but is pretty slow. Like 30mph.

Does anyone know what yamaha engines I can directly bolt up to this? Was thinking maybe a 650cc waverunner III engine?

If there is no easy engine swaps for this, is there a place where i can get an aftermarket impeller for these still?
 

Oode

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 13, 2010
Messages
41
Re: 1989 Yamaha WR500F

Sorry, no bolt ons that I could find.... the 500 is a modified outboard power head, the rest are all purpose built ski engines... very different altogether...

Haven't found any sources for old aftermarket parts either... but if you find any please post them...

the 500 will never be a fast machine, but, it is light and you can throw it around a good bit which makes it fun. I've heard that it also flies better than most....

If you want a fast ski, get a cheap seadoo, just budget for frequent rebuilds...
 

The Penguin

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 16, 2010
Messages
138
Re: 1989 Yamaha WR500F

I don't know about "modified outboard power head" as they look like a typical 2-cylinder PWC engine

but it's old, and I doubt you'll find ANY performance parts for it.

and you can't bolt another engine in - unless you want to get into building custom motor mounts for the new engine.

and even if you did - it has a tiny jet pump in it

it's just not worth it.
 

ryanr623

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 11, 2008
Messages
489
Re: 1989 Yamaha WR500F

Sorry, no bolt ons that I could find.... the 500 is a modified outboard power head, the rest are all purpose built ski engines... very different altogether...

Haven't found any sources for old aftermarket parts either... but if you find any please post them...

the 500 will never be a fast machine, but, it is light and you can throw it around a good bit which makes it fun. I've heard that it also flies better than most....

If you want a fast ski, get a cheap seadoo, just budget for frequent rebuilds...

I only bought it because it was $450, with trailer. The trailer is worth half that. I dont care enough to spend more money on a faster one, but engines are cheap. Ive heard these 500cc yami engines are bulletproof as well.

I found a site that has mods for them, as well as some people on forums that have vheaply modded them. SS higher pitch propellers are still made by solas and protec... and can be found at impros. com

People also modify the intake grate for more water to the pump, and protec makes a pipe for it. Some people have put the 650 carb on it, but im not looking to soend a ton of money trying to make it faster. The impeller is 149 and i can modify the grate myself, thats all i probably will do.
 
Joined
Jul 15, 2010
Messages
61
Re: 1989 Yamaha WR500F

i had one of those for one summer, it would get you out into the middle of nowhere then run on 1 cyl............. you could limp to shore. it was slow as heck too. try it with 2 people..........
 

The Penguin

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 16, 2010
Messages
138
Re: 1989 Yamaha WR500F

I only bought it because it was $450, with trailer. The trailer is worth half that. I dont care enough to spend more money on a faster one, but engines are cheap. Ive heard these 500cc yami engines are bulletproof as well.

I found a site that has mods for them, as well as some people on forums that have vheaply modded them. SS higher pitch propellers are still made by solas and protec... and can be found at impros. com

People also modify the intake grate for more water to the pump, and protec makes a pipe for it. Some people have put the 650 carb on it, but im not looking to soend a ton of money trying to make it faster. The impeller is 149 and i can modify the grate myself, thats all i probably will do.

keep in mind that any money you dump into it will never be recovered if you sell it :D

I wouldn't even spend $149 on a new impeller until I looked for a used one.
 
Joined
Jul 15, 2010
Messages
61
Re: 1989 Yamaha WR500F

a totally rad jet ski can be had for $1000........u could sell yours to get your money back and then get a bigger one. or live with what u have. any money spent on that 500 is money wasted.
 

Julie Lehmann

Recruit
Joined
Mar 12, 2011
Messages
1
Re: 1989 Yamaha WR500F

I just did some work for a woman. And she gave me an 89 waverunner . She was going to haul it to the dump. I said Id take it. Tags were out since 1995 / 8 . Engine was locked
up. I sprayed some PB Blaster in through the spark plugs into the cylinders used a pipe wrench to free the engine. New Battery and gas.. SOB cranked up and runs like a scalded Dog.
 
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