I picked up a few older outboards this fall for no particular reason, just thought they would be fun to try. Today was finally warm enough here in PA to fill a trash can and see what I have.
First up was a McCulloch 7.5hp made in 1968, I picked it up at an auction for $65. It had a good spark and I already overhauled the carb, fuel pump, and water pump so I expected this one to run, which it does. Nice little motor with Forward/Neutral/Reverse and idles smooth. It's sucking air into the fuel line though, I think at the connection to the motor; it's a small Mercury connector but it doesn't seal very well. Maybe a little grease? Any other suggestions?
Next was a 4hp Johnson from 1976 I bought off Craigslist for $250. Wanted to use this one as a long-term trolling and backup motor. Seller swore it ran great, etc. Just wouldn't start, had an occasional puff of smoke but nothing else. On close examination I saw that the spark plug wires were switched - even though one of them has a metal tag clearly marked "up". Swapped them and the motor started right up and runs fine. No transmission though, starts in gear and off you go.
Third was a 9.9 Johnson from 1981 - another auction buy at $125. Appearance wise it's very nice, took a few pulls and smoked a bit at first but was clearing up when I noticed it wasn't pumping any water. This one will have to wait until I get the water pump fixed to try again.
Last was a 9.9 Evinrude from 1974 that the seller said has the 15hp carburetor, it also has an 11" pitch propeller (the Johnson has a 10"). I bought it because it has a tiller but it's also set up for remotes, so plenty of options to play with. Seller was asking $400 but he tossed in a couple of Eska air cooled motors as part of the deal (those run too, tried them out earlier - weedwhacker motors). The Evinrude just didn't want to start until I twisted the throttle past Start and well beyond Fast; I guess the markings are just a suggestion because it runs fine, just a quarter turn off the marks. The tiller doesn't look like it's been rotated out of place but I'll examine it again. Any suggestions on what to look for? Maybe a spot of nail polish that lines up with the other marks and call it good.
Overall I'm pretty happy. All run good; McCulloch and 9.9 Johnson just needed some routine maintenance. Now the long wait until Spring.
First up was a McCulloch 7.5hp made in 1968, I picked it up at an auction for $65. It had a good spark and I already overhauled the carb, fuel pump, and water pump so I expected this one to run, which it does. Nice little motor with Forward/Neutral/Reverse and idles smooth. It's sucking air into the fuel line though, I think at the connection to the motor; it's a small Mercury connector but it doesn't seal very well. Maybe a little grease? Any other suggestions?
Next was a 4hp Johnson from 1976 I bought off Craigslist for $250. Wanted to use this one as a long-term trolling and backup motor. Seller swore it ran great, etc. Just wouldn't start, had an occasional puff of smoke but nothing else. On close examination I saw that the spark plug wires were switched - even though one of them has a metal tag clearly marked "up". Swapped them and the motor started right up and runs fine. No transmission though, starts in gear and off you go.
Third was a 9.9 Johnson from 1981 - another auction buy at $125. Appearance wise it's very nice, took a few pulls and smoked a bit at first but was clearing up when I noticed it wasn't pumping any water. This one will have to wait until I get the water pump fixed to try again.
Last was a 9.9 Evinrude from 1974 that the seller said has the 15hp carburetor, it also has an 11" pitch propeller (the Johnson has a 10"). I bought it because it has a tiller but it's also set up for remotes, so plenty of options to play with. Seller was asking $400 but he tossed in a couple of Eska air cooled motors as part of the deal (those run too, tried them out earlier - weedwhacker motors). The Evinrude just didn't want to start until I twisted the throttle past Start and well beyond Fast; I guess the markings are just a suggestion because it runs fine, just a quarter turn off the marks. The tiller doesn't look like it's been rotated out of place but I'll examine it again. Any suggestions on what to look for? Maybe a spot of nail polish that lines up with the other marks and call it good.
Overall I'm pretty happy. All run good; McCulloch and 9.9 Johnson just needed some routine maintenance. Now the long wait until Spring.
