How many hours can a 2-stroke withstand?

[jbjennings]

I'm wondering if anybody has seen any studies by OMC that have been done on 2-cycle lifespan? I love old OMC's and was wondering, if no overheating, proper oil in gas and maintenance, how many hours can the powerhead withstand? What are the first signs that one is nearly worn out? Can one hear bearing noises, stuff like that, or what? I have a friend whose motor first interested me in old '50s OMC's, and he lived on the lake so his motor had countless hours. The compression seemed so low that a 5 yr. old could pull the starter but it still ran and idled good. I was in college in the '90s before he finally got a new motor and quit using it. Any ideas?
JBJ

 

[jimmbo]

Re: How many hours can a 2-stroke withstand?

In the 1960s the design life was 1000 hours at WOT. Doesn't sound like a lot but at 100 hours per year that was still 10 years. If run a less than WOT the life was greatly extended. Auto engines last much longer in cars for the same reason, very little time is spent at WOT. You would be very lucky to get an auto engine to last 200 hours if run at WOT till failure

 

[1730V]

Re: How many hours can a 2-stroke withstand?

I've seen some approaching 2000.

Two stroke engines do not fail due to inherent design. They fail due to lack of maintenance, bad fuel/oil and clogged carburetors.

 

[JB]

Re: How many hours can a 2-stroke withstand?

What 1730V said.

I don't think I have ever seen an outboard that simply wore out. They all suffered misuse, abuse or accident.

I have a 1948 Sea King 1.5 by Gale that putts away nicely. Never been torn down. There are countless 3 to 6hp JohnnyRudes from the 50s still in regular use. Some of them must have 5 to 6K hours and still purr like sewing machines.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How many hours can a 2-stroke withstand?

bad oil mix 10 hours at the most, properly care for has not been determined. lower units usually go before the power head.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: How many hours can a 2-stroke withstand?

yup they go forever. Do you own the QD-14 at the bottom of your post? It looks beautiful.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: How many hours can a 2-stroke withstand?

yup they go forever. Do you own the QD-14 at the bottom of your post? It looks beautiful.

Yep,
I was so jealous of your motor, I just had to post mine--I painted it myself, rebuilt the carb, new stickers, and I love the rascal. I actually keep it in my living room along with my 7.5 you helped me fix and my 18. Jeff Foxworthy ought to have fun with that one! I bought 'em all used, of course, from up North. Everyone that comes in likes the green 10 the best.... It is really powerful and fast and I love to run it. By the way, after about 3 gallons of gas, I checked the l.u. on my 7.5 and the l.u. oil looked just as good as when I put it in--no leaks at all. That 7.5 runs like new! I'm astonished how these old motors can still run like that when they're fixed back properly. It just doesn't seem possible! I'm after a '57 18 evinrude right now. As far as I'm concerned, a late 50's or 60's OMC is unbeatable for used motor value. Even an idiot like myself can fix their problems with just a little help from folks like you.
Thanks for the millionth time-- I'll probably need your help again!
JBJennings