bf90A

[fred3]

I am looking at Honda bf90 outboard. Seller on ebay shows plate in photo. #1001360. This is on shaft section. I can't find anything online as far as specs etc. Using this #. I don't have the #'s from engine section. Any info would be appreciated.

 

[ahicks]

Honda isn't real big on model years. The specs are the same for all of them. Assuming it's a carbed engine (the fact it's a 90 "A" means it's a carbed motor) , there's 2 of them and the only difference between them is the lower unit/water pumps. The early motor was built in 97 and 98, but some may have been sold in 99. The rest (99 and newer) are the newer style. Both lowers were built by Mercury. The easiest way to tell them apart from the outside has to do with the bolt that holds the trim fin on above the prop. The early motor has the bolt, which is easily seen, going through from the top. The later motor has that bolt going up from the bottom, up through the center of the plate that holds the trim fin.

They're both rock solid motors that will keep going forever if maintained well. Older motors that have been used/stored in a salt water environment are no different than any other outboard. There's a good chance of corrosion that's building up, slowly killing the motor.

I buy a lot of Honda parts on ebay, but there is no way on God's green earth I would ever buy an entire motor.

 

[fred3]

ahicks. Thanks for the info and response. It is very helpful. This engine is in Boston. I live in coastal NC. I have always had aluminum johnboats. This new boat was my first fiberglass boat, and The price was right. I got a call from a friend who saw the boat and I made a snap decision to buy it. However after the first trip out with it I realized it ran good but lacked power. It has a outboard 40 horse Johnson. It also cavitated on turns. So I began a google search to educate myself On causes, and solutions. I find that the Johnson is a 20" shaft, and my transom is 22". Using a level I find engine is 2 3/8" to high. Also the prop had been changed to a smaller one with more twist. Very disappointing. So I went in search of a engine with 25" shaft. I contacted every marina in my area and there are a lot. No one has or even seen a 25" shaft in 50 to 90hp in a long time. Covid has really done a # on sales as motors are on long waiting list. A new 4 stroke 70hp was going to be $10,000. So I broadened my search for a used anything within hp range. I found three. 2 newer ones, and this one. All from same area, on Ebay. I am just grasping at straws here. Normally I would not consider buying one online either, but My options are very limited.

 

[matt167]

I think 22" falls within a 20" long shaft motor requirements. I know a 15" short shaft motor works with up to a 17" transom. Not all transoms are an exact measurement of 15/20/25".. This is why dealers are probably looking at you like your crazy. 25" XL shafts generally start around 100hp

What is the boat rated for?

 

[ahicks]

I am solidly converted to 4 stroke outboards, a huge advocate, but still have a healthy respect for some 2 strokes. The 40 is one of those. So I'm thinking 2 things. First, maybe seek some help getting the correct prop for your 40. Look into cupping as far as a partial cure for the cavitation issue. Maybe even going with an inexpensive alum. 4 blade.

That will allow you more time for your 4 stroke search. With no experience, I'd be inclined to stay with motors that have been run in fresh water only. They are really easy to be burnt on, even if they appear to be running correctly.

You don't see them frequently, but there ARE 25" Honda 50's and 90's out there. I just did a 25" to 20" conversion on a pair of 50's this past summer....

Last, I have no idea what your boat looks like, but I can tell you that the Honda 90's are pretty heavy. The fact the boat currently has a 40 on it makes me a bit nervouse regarding the idea of putting a motor on the back that weighs twice what the 40 does, even if the boat is rated for 90hp. If the boat is an older one, the 4 strokes weren't around much back then, and there was no thought about all of the extra weight involved with a 4 stroke when assigning those max hp numbers. A Honda 50 might be a much better plan.....

 

[fred3]

I think 22" falls within a 20" long shaft motor requirements. I know a 15" short shaft motor works with up to a 17" transom. Not all transoms are an exact measurement of 15/20/25".. This is why dealers are probably looking at you like your crazy. 25" XL shafts generally start around 100hp

What is the boat rated for?

I believe I could go as high as 115hp max but have no need for that much motor, and don't like pushing things to the limit. The boat is a 1997 16ft wellcraft, center console. Nice solid heavy boat. I would be fine with a 50hp if I could find one. The way it is rigged now on a jack plate with trim. I am loosing power from boat wash, and 40hp is kind of a minimum and she struggles to get on plane, and top speed is pretty low. So I figured if I'm going to replace motor might as well get some more hp. I think a 70 would be just about right, but can't find one. Also hoping to get a 4 stroke. Hard to find in 25" shaft. Motor on it is as low as it can go and still 2" short of keel at cavitation plate.

 

[fred3]

I am solidly converted to 4 stroke outboards, a huge advocate, but still have a healthy respect for some 2 strokes. The 40 is one of those. So I'm thinking 2 things. First, maybe seek some help getting the correct prop for your 40. Look into cupping as far as a partial cure for the cavitation issue. Maybe even going with an inexpensive alum. 4 blade.

That will allow you more time for your 4 stroke search. With no experience, I'd be inclined to stay with motors that have been run in fresh water only. They are really easy to be burnt on, even if they appear to be running correctly.

You don't see them frequently, but there ARE 25" Honda 50's and 90's out there. I just did a 25" to 20" conversion on a pair of 50's this past summer....

Last, I have no idea what your boat looks like, but I can tell you that the Honda 90's are pretty heavy. The fact the boat currently has a 40 on it makes me a bit nervouse regarding the idea of putting a motor on the back that weighs twice what the 40 does, even if the boat is rated for 90hp. If the boat is an older one, the 4 strokes weren't around much back then, and there was no thought about all of the extra weight involved with a 4 stroke when assigning those max hp numbers. A Honda 50 might be a much better plan.....

 

[fred3]

I got original alum prop with boat and have reinstalled it. I think owner was trying to gain some push and help on turns by going smaller and more twist. The cavitation is something that happens at top speed on tighter turns, and I can deal with that. Not running flat out and turning hard much. I was pushing boat to see what her limits and issues are. The boat is rock solid, with no soft spots anywhere. Good design I think. Just what I was looking for. If the 40hp had the right shaft I would be ok. But barley enough hp to get on plane and and losing hp to prop wash isn't helping. Although the 4's are so much quiter I would love to switch. However money is also an issue. I don't want to get to far into this older boat. I think you are right though a 50 or 60 or 70 is plenty with less weight. I'm not taking long runs out to sea in this boat. The shaft length, and availability is biggest issue.

 

[ahicks]

You mention jack plate. Can you post a couple of pics so we can see how the motor is mounted?

 

[matt167]

Ok so I looked it up. You have a 1997 Wellcraft CCF160 which has a max hp of 70hp according to NADA, but a data manual for a 160 Fisherman I assume is a newer version suggests 90hp MAX with a 50hp standard engine option.. The biggest thing I'm looking at is it lists a 20" transom, and by looking at CCF160's online, it does appear to be a 20" transom.. The 50 is listed to provide 23 MPH cruise, and about 33 MPH WOT. They don't list anything above 70hp as a supplied option. How fast do you really need to go

https://wellcraft.com/uploads/2016/4/160Fisherman02.pdf

 

[fred3]

You mention jack plate. Can you post a couple of pics so we can see how the motor is mounted?

I will do my best guys. I am 65, and techno challenged, so getting pics on a site can be difficult for me. I have done on other sites.