Originally Posted By MALT0SE:
I was gifted a boat with a 1969 engine. I was certain I could get it started - but even if I could, the power trim and tilt is busted, the wiring is corroded, the lower unit is cracked, and it is 40 years old. A new 90 hp suzuki installed would be about 11k. I just don't have the funds for that, and even if I did, the boat would be taken out maybe twice a week for 4 months- and I can't justify spending that much for a toy.
I would like to keep it in the 4-5k range. I am thinking about buying a sub 1000 two stroke 90's mercury and then paying to have it rebuilt. I figure that would be 2-3k but could be way off. Another option is to buy a remanufactured one from outboard exchange, but again I don't know if that is the best.
Is it a better option to buy a running outboard, of unknown history or hours, that is in the 3-4k range and leave 1k for buffer?
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It's really a crap shoot if you don't know the history of an engine.
Older 2-strokes don't have any type of computer to pull data from (for the most part)
and hour meters are dubious to say the least.
Rebuilding say a mid 2000's Merc 90hp 2-stroke 3 cylinder is going to
run about 3K if it's done right.
In my opinion, unless you just have to have a 2-stroke, EFI 4-strokes are
the way to go. They aren't cheap new, but you may be able to find
a good used one if you look long and hard enough.
Stay away from any motor that has been run in saltwater no matter
how well it was flushed after use. Saltwater is very corrosive and
motors run in saltwater have about a 10 year lifespan even if they are well taken care of.
After that, you are on borrowed time.