Advice on '64 18 hp Evinrude Purchase

[pckeen]

Hello Everyone,

I am restoring a '64 Naden 16' deep and wide, pictured below (in 'before' condition). I have been keeping an eye out for a good engine to put on it. I believe the boat is rated for a 35 horse, so 18 hp is underpowered, but I'm really not fussed about speed. This would be used only for local fishing trips.

I am going to be taking look at what I am told is a pair of '64 Evinrude 18hp engines. The information give by the seller on them is taken directly from the ad.

"2 x 18 hp - 1964 Evinrude twins long shafts - Both for $375. I have parts to make one short shaft if needed. They both run great and have low hours. One is electric and pull start the other just pull start. I changed points, condensors and coils. One does leak in bottom end so is being sold as parts or fix up and the other is good. They are in very nice 64 vintage shape!"

I contacted the seller and got this information:
"I purchased them from someone in eagle. Original owner passed away 20 years ago and they sat in garage for many years. Came off of a 1964 star craft. I still have the boat. I installed a older 85hp this year in the boat. So selling the twins. They run good but one if the motors leaks water in to gear box and will need fixing. Could use that one as parts as it does run good. I redid the ignition/coils when I bought the boat 4 years ago."

I asked if the engines were both run on the original boat, and got this answer:

"Yes they ran in sync on the back of the boat. The one with electric start was probably his trolling motor so that one many have more hrs. on it then the other. The electric start is the one that is leaking."

So that is the story - seems a little unusual, but such is life. The price being asked is $375 for both.

So I have a few questions:

• what should I look for when I go out to see these engines - any particular tests I should do?
• how easy is it to get parts for these motors?
• any general comments you have on these engines?

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Advice on '64 18 hp Evinrude Purchase

Hi pc. I'd snatch those little gems up ASAP. The old 18-20hp FD/E modelOMC motors are some of the best every made. I have a '66 20hp myself and it pushes my 14' semi-V hull tinny along nicely at +/-20mph. I doubt that little boat ever rad them as a pair, however. Even if only one works, you'll have a great parts motor and if they both run, you can sell one actually have the project pay for itself. Here's a handy link.

Maintaining Johnson E & FD Serie

 

[twocyclemania]

Re: Advice on '64 18 hp Evinrude Purchase

As the owner of many (past and present) 18 Evinrude's; from what you show in the pictures; I'd grab them and very quickly. They are indeed, a fine motor and from what I can see you're getting a deal.

 

[nwcove]

Re: Advice on '64 18 hp Evinrude Purchase

the seller "seems" to be very up front with what is known about the motors.....if even one has good compression, thats a good deal at $375...might get them at $300. i wouldnt wait on checking them out, or they may get sold quick at that price!! jmo

 

[pckeen]

Re: Advice on '64 18 hp Evinrude Purchase

Thanks for all the advice. I took them - I was planning on dickering with the price...until he threw in a third Evinrude Fastwin (mostly complete parts engine), gas tank, gas hose, spare impeller, and two original manuals as well. Had a good chat with the guy - he has what looks like a 16' Starcraft Jupitor, which is what the original twin Fastwin's came off of.

So here is the additional information I have. The compression on the cylinders for both engines was 98-100 (we tested it there). Both engines ran fine. The electric start engine's bottom end is leaking. The PO discovered the problem the spring after he bought it, when he ran it and the bottom end housing cracked. He couldn't find a new bottom end, so he bought another short shaft Evinrude, and swapped out the bottom ends. He now has no use for the parts motor, so he just threw it in.

So couple of quick questions - is there any problem with the compression numbers here? I believe not, but in terms of my motor knowledge, I think my iboats rating is "five year old lego apprentice, slightly dim-witted."

As for the bottom end, I'll post a thread on how to diagnose and fix it. My plan is to sell two of the motors, and keep the good one.

 

[82rude]

Re: Advice on '64 18 hp Evinrude Purchase

comp sounds ok.those motors look well taken care of for the year.very clean.every year I see many Americans and Canadians on the highway heading up north with those same motors going on their fishing trips.good find.