D
Doug Rodrigues
No one has mentioned it yet, but there is a problem switching from a two cylinder 2-stroke outboard, to a single cylinder 4-stroke outboard of similar horsepower or weight. My 56 pound 6hp Nissan single cylinder 4-stroke replaces a 48 pound 8hp Johnson two cylinder 2-stroke. The original swing-up engine mount cannot take the increase in vibration of the single cylinder 4-stroke outboard. That vibration hammers away at the mount.Yesterday, my engine mount broke another stainless steel bolt. The first time that happened, I replaced the broken bolt with a galvanized high quality steel bolt of the same size. After disassembling the mount today, I noticed that even that high quality bolt had wear after only approximately 5 hours running time. My plan is to modify the swing-up mount by installing the largest bolts that can fit the pivot points in the mount (with modification of the cushion material). Of course, that means that the brackets will have to be drilled-out to larger size holes. Still cheaper than buying a new $330 mount built for the 4-stroke engines, and going through the hassle of bolting it to the transom. Look at the West Marine pictures of the 4-stroke mount. Looks like the bigger bolts are what is required. Just giving everybody a heads-up on this problem.