Help! Old boat, Old motor

[MFG63]

Just recently I basically inherited an old 1963 MFG runabout that my father hasn't used since 1989..It's been stored in an old garage so it has been out of the elements..The hull is all fiberglass and looks great for it's age...My question is if there is anywhere on the boat I should look for rot or anything else that would deem it unseaworthy?<br /> 2nd Question...The 1963 40 hp Johnson has not faired as well..After years of neglect mice have trashed the inside of the motor..They've chewed and defacated on everything..What a mess! It hasn't been started in about ten years.. I believe we had a coil problem last time it was used..Is it worth my time to bring this huge 40hp sea horse back to life or should I scrap it and get some $$$ for the good parts...I'm looking at an early eighty's Evinrude 40 with electric start..It's as clean as a whistle and it stars right up..He's asking 700 for it..Is this a decent price..?Is an outboard engine swap difficult...?Any known problems with early to mid 80 'Rudes..I am not a rich man and I'm just looking to get on the water for some tooling around and fishing..Thank you for any advice anyone can provide...Sorry about the length of this..

 

[JB]

Re: Help! Old boat, Old motor

Howdy MFG. Offer the man $500 for the 40, but only after you have tested it under load. We hear about so many engines that start and run great on the ears and fall flat when placed under load. There are likely to be a few around who would like to have your old 40 for parts.<br /><br />Good Luck!<br />Red sky at night. . . <br />JB

 

[MFG63]

Re: Help! Old boat, Old motor

Thanks for the advice JB...Is there any way to test a motor under load without it actually being on a boat??Probably a stupid qustion but I'm new and want to learn everything I can before I take the plunge.

 

[Fouled Plug]

Re: Help! Old boat, Old motor

I think if you can find a 'test wheel' for the motor you can try a tank test with a simulated load. It looks kind of like a flywheel, and replaces the prop for shop testing. I may be wrong, but I think that was the use for such a device. Maybe a local shop would rent one to you to try out the engine. Sounds like it would be easier to get a more modern, working motor to replace the "rat's nest" on the boat now. Other than a new control box, the motor swap should be quite painless.

 

[MFG63]

Re: Help! Old boat, Old motor

Thanks FP...I thought of the same thing and have even seen test wheels on ebay...Although I haven't heard of anybody trying this procedure..If anybody knows for sure I would appreciate the info..The motor I'm looking at looks brand new..All the maintenance has been kept up and from what I have been told it was used by an older man who did not abuse it..What would cause a motor fail under load...Are there any known gremlins in early 80 Rudes..?Should I worry about OMC going to Bombardier as far as parts and mechanics?