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1974 Evinrude 15HP

K

kevinj

Advanced Contributor
"I'm looking to find a sma

"I'm looking to find a small outboard to push my 14' jon boat. I have found a 1974 Evinrude 15HP locally that seems to be in nice shape. The owner says it has had the water pump replaced, all hoses, carbs rebuilt, and has good compression. The price is $450.

I asked my local mechanic about it and suggested to pass it by. He said he wouldn't buy a small outboard older than 15 years old due to the gaskets. His rationale is that older gaskets were not designed for Ethanol blended fuel, so running today's E10 through these engines will eventually result in leaks at the intake, engine case, and crank seals. Once these develop, you're putting much more money in the motor than it's worth to install new Viton seals and gaskets.

What's the consensus around here regarding gaskets and E10. Should I take my mechanic's advice on this and find a newer motor, or is he being overly cautious? I have no reason to think he's steering me wrong, afterall, if I were to get a motor and the seals go bad he stands to make some nice cash repairing it.

This motor, at $450, is around the amount I can afford at this time. Newer motors are in the $1,000 + range and are out of reach. One reservation I initially had is the motor is not CDI. Not that point and condensor ignition won't work, but I'm kind of spoiled on the "set-it-and-forget-it" functionality of CDI. Is it worth taking a risk on this motor or should I just keep looking.

Thanks,
KJ"
 
"u would be better off,w/the 8

"u would be better off,w/the 80's era or later,..as for as the seals etc,...he has,a good point....if u do,choose this engine,i suggest highly,that u take it for a ride...lower unit gears are getting outrageous for older,small engines,..."
 
"Thank you JWB. My mechanic h

"Thank you JWB. My mechanic has always been straight-forward and fair about everything he has done for me, so I really had no reason to doubt him. I was just curious what experiences other's have had with old, non-ethanol resistant gaskets. I didn't think about the gears and other components in terms of replacement cost.

I recently missed a chance at a 1992, 8HP Johnson. The seller was asking $600 for that one. My boat is extremely light (narrow, shallow draft) so that 8HP or a 9.9HP would push it along very well. Oh well, "you snooze, you lose" sure does apply to me on that that one. The search continues!!!!

KJ"
 
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