Outboard Motor Advice

[Irishguy]

I have a 1974 Macgregor/Venture 25. It came with a 1984 Honda 4 stroke outboard. It had been sitting for a while and I got it running pretty good by cleaning the carb. I don't particularly care for the motor, because it is pretty damn heavy and I have been looking for a lighter motor that will still push the boat fine.

So before winter it started to run poorly and then got to where it wouldn't idle and then to where the only way I could get it to run was by spraying starter fluid into it. So I met this guy who restores old outboards as a hobby/semi-profession. He as one of the coolest collection of vintage Mercurys I have ever seen. So he agrees to take a look at my Honda and get it into good running condition. He gets it running and tuned up and only wants $115. However he says that I will be needing a new coil soon and they are kind of hard to find. [I found one on eBay and the bids are already up to over $80.]

He's a good guy and a straight shooter, so I ask if he is willing to trade my Honda for one of his lighter motors. He's not a dealer so he ask me to make him an offer on something. I figure I already owe him $115 regardless, so I said let's make the money I owe you $100 even, you keep my Honda and I take this nice 1985 Mercury 7.5 two stroke. After a little bit of thinking he agrees.

I haven't made up my mind, but I need to by this afternoon. What do you guys think about the trade. The Mercury is much nicer than my Honda. I'm kind of gun shy about the Honda's reliability and the parts availabity and I am tired of lugging the thing around. It is Heavy! Are there any real downsides other than mixing the gas and oil to owning a two stroke? The motor is simpler so there would seem to be less to go wrong? I just want to sail this year and not worry about getting home.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[DJN51]

Most states are in the process of outlawing 2 strokes,especially on resevoir lakes.

 

[tommays]

Your going from old to old with the same issues of getting old parts and service

I do see your in freshwater which makes it less of and issue

 

[Joe]

Go for it..... the worst that can happen is you're not happy with the new motor... but, then, you weren't happy with the old one either. The difference is, this one has the possibility of making you happy, the other didn't. You might check if there's a ban on 2 strokes in your sailing area first, but if not I'd do it. Those old Honda and Yamaha 4 strokes were terrible. The old 2 strokes are fabulous. As far as service goes... well you bought it from the guy who rebuilt it... so there you go! I think it's a no-brainer.

 

[kloudie1]

Parts aren't a problem on those old guys, I have a 1976 Johnson 6 HP and a 1981 Johnson 4 HP. The only downside I know is that the ignition may not be electronic and so the points and timing may have to be maintained periodically. If it has an electronic ignition system and your lake (and the places you may sail) is not outlawing 2 stroke engines, I see no reason to not go for it. Good Luck

 

[Ted]

Many people I know who have purchased small 4 stroke outboard motors complain that they aren't as powerful or smooth running as their old 2 stroke motors. I had a Honda 7.5 and really liked it except for the weight and the cost of replacement parts. I also have a 1988 Mercury 8 hp 2 stroke which is lighter and smoother running. It's not a big deal mixing the oil with the gas. I'd go for the Mercury without hesitation after a satisfactory demo. It's not a problem getting parts for these motors and parts are less expensive.

 

[Alan]

My 4hp Yamaha 2 stroke is 17 years old and runs flawlessly. It gets a once a year service which takes me all of 1/2 hour. It is very stingy on fuel is very quiet and purrs. At a 100:1 oil mix ratio the pollution exposure is very small. I would buy its sister 8hp for your application if you can find one. A 10 out of 10 rating in my book.

 

[Sailm8]

I hated my 4 stroke Honda 2hp. If I didn't run it every week it would not start. Bought a spare carb that I kept in cleaning fluid. I could swap out the carb in 5 minutes. I now have a 3.5 Nissan and love it. Can jump in the dink holding it in one hand,

 

[Ted]

A pair of those Honda 2 hp motors would make great bow thrusters on Irishguy's Venture 25.

 

[Winkfish]

I have a 1985 Mercury outboard on my fishing boat. The older Mercs are great engines if maintained, and it looks like this one would have been. Mixing oil is no problem, probably your standard 8oz oil to 3 gallons of gas. Use good quality 2-stroke oil - Quicksilver made by Mercury is excellent. I also add Stabil and Sea Foam to my fuel.

 

[Rick Webb]

I would Not Think Twice About This One

Do it yesterday

 

[Irishguy]

Thanks for all the quick replies folks. All have been very helpful. I am about to call the marina and ask about the two stroke ban. I doubt there is a ban in the works. We are in Alabama after all and we are about 20 years behind all the other states except Mississippi.

I'm glad to hear the positive comments about the old 2 stroke motors and their reliability and ability to find parts. I think I am going to go ahead and make the trade after I hear the motor run.

 

[RichH]

I think that with the 'threat' of E15 fuel on the immediate horizon, plus the horrendous problems already caused by E10 ... going to a used 2 cycle (vastly easier to maintain, etc.) should make the choice quite obvious.

With the impending widespread usage of E15, it will be infinitely easier to 're-jet' (bore out the jets) a 2 cycle carburetor, than infinitely, constantly. ad nauseum, 'clean' and readjust a 4 cycle carb.
Even with the presumption that E15 will only be mandated for 'late model' automobiles ... you KNOW whats going to happen.

Go for the 2 cycle.
Parts for Evinrude, Johnson and the powerheads they made and which were 're-branded' for others are READILY available.

 

[bffatcat]

2 stroke outboards

Im sure you know there are enviromental issues with 2 strokes. They`re going to be banned
altogether sooner or later But for $100 go for it why not. you can always get something newer down the road

 

[HEINZIR]

Go for it. Worst case: if something goes wrong with the motor you have a guy that knows it inside and out and probably has some good parts connections.

 

[pogo2]

Real oldies

I now own several old outboads and really love them all, parts are no problem and the all run great. If the Government wouild keep their hands off things that really don't concern them, maybe life for the little people would be enjoyable for a change. Get their own house in order before dictating to us. enough said.
I have a source at a marina to get gas without ethanol, makes a big differance on the oldies. here we go:
1956 Johnson 3 hp
1956 Johnson 5 1/2 hp
1956 Johnson 10 hp
1981 SuperBug 1 1/2 hp
2003 Nissan 9.8 hp
2000 Johnson 50 hp
The Oldies are easy to work on, parts are available, and they run great, so don't be affrade of the oldies.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

how many HP was the old engine?

shaft length same on both? (25")?

fwiw, I have a 1988 merc 9.8 and it burns around .75-1 gal/hr. take the serial number to a merc dealer and spend 50bucks for the factory manual.

but my engine does not have low water pickup and is not great in a chop... make sure it has a water pickup below the prop.

-my .02

 

[Irishguy]

I just wanted to give everyone and update on this thread...

After going and looking at the Mercury 7.5 - 2 Stroke, and carefully weighing the options, I decided to stick with my Honda 9.9 - 4 Stroke and here's why:

1. The Merc was rather noisy and smoky and I didn't think it would add to Mrs. Irishguy's enjoyment.
2. The Merc did not have a power output for charging the batteries, it didi not have a throttle lock, and it did not have a set-screw for locking the outboard straight ahead. The Honda has all of those and i use them all. I like to just use the Honda as a thruster and steer with the tiller. These three items were a deal killer for me.
3. The guy got my old Honda running pretty darn good.

I'm just going to be carefull about gas, running the carbs dry and using Stabil and Sea Foam.

A couple of weeks ago we were out on the lake and the wind kicked up pretty good for some inexperienced sailors like us and we dropped sails an wanted to get back to the dock. We were thankfull for the power of the Honda. If it had been anything less, i think we would ahve had a much harder time getting back.

At least I have a new friend that it an honest, reliable and reasonably priced outboard motor mechanic.