Rescued 69 Evinrude Rogue with stringer need beginner tips

[RastB]

Grabbed it up for 100$, 300 Buick and stringer o/b, just found out it runs. I have no literature on this boat yet, haven't checked anything in the outdrive at all. What are the boat specific things (besides basic engine maint) that I need to look out before I would ever test this thing on the water? Been sitting for a long long time. Just want to make sure I don't take it out and sink it, or mess something up because I didn't do maint. on it. Thank you for accepting me to the forum.

 

[RastB]

Grabbed it up for 100$, 300 Buick and stringer o/b, just found out it runs. I have no literature on this boat yet, haven't checked anything in the outdrive at all. What are the boat specific things (besides basic engine maint) that I need to look out before I would ever test this thing on the water? Been sitting for a long long time. Just want to make sure I don't take it out and sink it, or mess something up because I didn't do maint. on it. Thank you for accepting me to the forum.

For some reason I'm unable to open/find any of the tech tips links? Page not found.

 

[kenny nunez]

Those Evinrude/Johnson boats were very well built and quality was good.
Unfortunately they were expensive and priced themselves where OMC most likely lost $.
If your boat is a pre 68 model original drive parts are impossible to find. While the engine may still be in good condition that is where it stops.
If you really like this boat the best advice I have is to gut it out, thicken the transom to 2”. Find a rotted/wrecked hull with a running Mercruiser or a Volvo complete platform.
I was an OMC stern drive dealer from 72-03 so I hope you take my advice.

 

[RastB]

Those Evinrude/Johnson boats were very well built and quality was good.
Unfortunately they were expensive and priced themselves where OMC most likely lost $.
If your boat is a pre 68 model original drive parts are impossible to find. While the engine may still be in good condition that is where it stops.
If you really like this boat the best advice I have is to gut it out, thicken the transom to 2”. Find a rotted/wrecked hull with a running Mercruiser or a Volvo complete platform.
I was an OMC stern drive dealer from 72-03 so I hope you take my advice.

Thanks.... it's a 1969, can I keep it? Well, watched some vids on changing lube/fluids, important seals etc. Going to start by seeing if there's any water in any of the fluids, check various functions and go from there. Probably not really interested in a re-power, if it comes to that I can at least clean it up and sell it with running engine. Just had it running a few seconds, no water hooked up.

 

[kenny nunez]

With the ignition on and engine not running shift to forward, try to rotate the propeller, it should lock in one direction. Next loosen the oil drain screws and see what comes out. If the lift still works that would be a miracle.
If the carburetor is a 2 barrel then it is a 155 hp, a 1 barrel 150.

 

[RastB]

With the ignition on and engine not running shift to forward, try to rotate the propeller, it should lock in one direction. Next loosen the oil drain screws and see what comes out. If the lift still works that would be a miracle.
If the carburetor is a 2 barrel then it is a 155 hp, a 1 barrel 150.

Will do, thanks. That's pretty low, thought a 300cid buick was about 200hp? Maybe marine was different than automotive.

 

[racerone]

Any pictures of this Buick 300 CI engine?-----A V-6 or V-8?

 

[kenny nunez]

Yea, if the engine is a V8 then it is a 200. I thought it was a V6. After the Buick V8s then they converted to Chevy 283s then 307s.

 

[RastB]

Yea, if the engine is a V8 then it is a 200. I thought it was a V6. After the Buick V8s then they converted to Chevy 283s then 307s.

Any pictures of this Buick 300 CI engine?-----A V-6 or V-8?

Will grab some next time I'm down there. Getting some plugs and wires for it, cap/rotor/points all look fine.

 

[RastB]

Any pictures of this Buick 300 CI engine?-----A V-6 or V-8?

Here's one in a MGB Also made a 340.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Here's one in a MGB Also made a 340.

Do not confuse automotive motors for marine motors

 

[matt167]

Buick 300 V8 was only used a few years in the cars. I think in the small cars like starfire. So there’s not much info on it even in an automotive application.

The problem is, all the parts OMC used to make it a marine engine have long been discontinued. The $100 price tag likely means the engine itself is worth more than the boat

 

[Scott Danforth]

agreed. motor side parts are NLA. the drive side parts are also becoming NLA

Grabbed it up for 100$, 300 Buick and stringer o/b, just found out it runs. I have no literature on this boat yet, haven't checked anything in the outdrive at all. What are the boat specific things (besides basic engine maint) that I need to look out before I would ever test this thing on the water? Been sitting for a long long time. Just want to make sure I don't take it out and sink it, or mess something up because I didn't do maint. on it. Thank you for accepting me to the forum.

with it sitting a long time, the rubber impeller is in need of replacement

the transom boot will need replacement

the drive should be serviced. the ball gears will most likely need to be replaced.

being a 55 year old boat, check for rot

 

[southkogs]

You can read about the boats a little HERE and a little about the drive HERE.

I like the look of the old OMC boats, and I actually even liked my electric shift stringer, but listen to the advice and carefully check the boat over. Then do a gut check: this boat in good condition is a maintenance boat; it's going to want lots of attention in the garage. If the hull is bad or the drive is crumby, it's going to be a lot of work and searching. Many guys running marine shops these days haven't even seen an electric shift - they're that obsolete.

 

[airshot]

Even if you get this up and running ( and you probably wont, no offense) all you will end up with is a possible parts boat and motor. Hate to bear bad news, but no one else will be interested in this other than for some spare parts mabey !! While these were cool looking, no one would be willing to spend thousands to try and fix it up and have nothing after that anyone wants. Your money, time and energy....choose wisely...

 

[RastB]

Brief test of some of the functions only wiper works after fiddling with fuse/connectors which are all quite filthy from age. Tilt selenoid clicks with flick to down but not up and had to hotwire the engine to get it to fire so electrical connections/wiring needs attention. Not in any hurry, to me it's fun to try and resurrect an old machine, see how far I can get with it before cheap entertainment isn't cheap anymore. Btw i'm no expert in assessing boat hulls but I can't find anything soft, anywhere. Thanks for all the help so far.

 

[kenny nunez]

The 2 plastic plugs that connects the engine to the main harness is usually where the bad connections exist. The smaller one is for the tilt. Just wait to see how much fun you will have removing the tilt motor, you will invent a whole new vocabulary of “X” rated words!

 

[RastB]

The 2 plastic plugs that connects the engine to the main harness is usually where the bad connections exist. The smaller one is for the tilt. Just wait to see how much fun you will have removing the tilt motor, you will invent a whole new vocabulary of “X” rated words!

I never use bad words Thanks for the info on the plugs!

 

[kenny nunez]

Since the engine still runs and if you give up on the boat that Buick “nail head” is still popular with some old school street rodders. Obviously it is a fresh water only engine. Worth some $.

 

[RastB]

You made me curious.
Nail head
264
322
364
401
425


small block
215
300
340
350

big block
400
430
455

Mid 70's up
260
301
305
307
403