To rebuild or not to rebuild?

[BThomas190]

Good morning all. Quick question for someone who knows more about this stuff than I do. I recently bought an old boat, motor, and trailer. I paid $300 for the whole package. I knew going in that the motor has problems. The motor turns over, but has 90 psi in the top cylinder and 120 psi in the bottom. (cold readings because I couldn't keep it running long enough to warm it up) The motor is an Evinrude 35 hp long-shaft, model E35ELCSM, s/n E0004040 (I believe it's a 1980). My question is this: Is this motor worth rebuilding? I've always been handy with fixing things, but have never tried to rebuild a motor. With only $300 in the whole deal, I figure I can't get hurt too bad. On the other hand, I don't want to bite off more than I can chew if this is something that would be a waste of time anyway. I've read a lot of posts on here, and greatly value the opinions I've seen. Thanks for your help!<br /><br />BNT

 

[Bass Runner]

Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild?

Sounds like it's ready for overhaul, this is only my 2 cents worth, check how much it is going to cost you for parts and materials, then check around for prices on used motors in your area then compare, remember you have to add the labor you will have put out, (important) first and formost if you decide to rebuild get a repair manual for your motor. That was a good buy for the rig if it is serviable. Good luck with it let us know how it goes.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild?

hey chief,there is a company here in tampa that will rebuild it for your for 295 a cylinder, or just swapp it for one of theirs.. www.powerheadexchange.com you could do it yourself, its a fairly small motor, and at only 2 cylinders, you could be done in a jiffy, get yourself an OEM manual for that specific year and hp from the dealer if need be, you can find em online all the time,, you could have a brand new motor for 800 bucks when all is said an dunn<br /><br />mikey, again

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild?

Before you go tearing it apart, do the easy stuff first. Try decarbing the engine (there's a FAQ in the FAQ forum), mabey you're lucky and it's just a stuck ring. It's a longshot, but a can of it doesn't cost $10. <br />Next remove the head and examine the cylinder walls. That will tell you a lot about why you're not getting adequate compression there. If it looks good, perhaps you simply had a leaking head gasket.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[LubeDude]

Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild?

Paul has given you great advice, there have been numerous times we have seen a decarb do great things here on the forums.<br /><br />As far as rebuilding goes, it depends on if you would enjoy doing something like this or would it be a pain in the a*s for you. If this is true, you would be better off having it done if you need to. Also, you might want to look for a good used engine with a little more power. You can find a lot of engines out there for around $1,000 that would fill your needs.

 

[Solittle]

Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild?

Years ago I picked up a 35 hp as a project motor. I took it and enroled in a Vocational Tech course in marine motors. They had a huge pile of junk motors that was great for cannibalizing parts from. I had a ball doing it. When I get done it started at about the third pull. Having no need for the motor I sold it for about $400.00.<br /><br />I agree with Paul on yours. Check & see if you can get yours running right - if not - have at it.

 

[BThomas190]

Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild?

I just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who replied to my question. I decided to go ahead and start the rebuild. It looks as if the top cylinder has thrown a rod bearing. The crankcase has a crack in it, so I'm figuring the motor is pretty much trashed. I'll finish breaking it down and see what it looks like. Again THANKS! You guys are the best!<br /><br />B

 

[bonitoman]

Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild?

I would not count that out. I have built many for myself. You can have most blocks welded. I live in sanford. email me and I could refer you to some welders to have your block welded. You could put two new pistons and rings,bearings and be on your way. The block would get bored from a machine shop and the head surfaced. The toughest thing would be to pull the powerehead with the corrosion of being used in the salt over in the ponce inlet area.