To Rebuild or Not

[rcnight]

I know this subject was recently discussed, but the discussion didn't go the way of my questions. I recently purchased a 1983 20' cc with it's original 185 Johnson. The motor is in need of a rebuild - something loose inside, although not too bad. Is this motor worth rebuilding for occasional weekend duty or should I move up to a newer motor? I have a line on a 1997 Evinrude 150 Ocean Pro. Would I be happy with the 150 hp or wind up craving more hp down the road? I can't get too deep into my pocket at this time. Thanks for your input.

[Mark]

150HP is plenty for that boat. If you can get a deal on the '97 Johnson, I would skip rebuilding the old engine. I had a 130 on my 20' which pushed it great (same engine as on Hammer's redone 20'). I switched to a 140 4-stroke not because of the 10 extra HP but because of the 4-stroke.

[John R]

RC - assuming that both the 83 and the 97 are making their rated horsepower - they're really the same. Before 1988 or 89, engine horsepower was rated at the flywheel and 88/89 and later was at the propshaft. If both engines were rated at the propshaft they's be within 10HP of each other...

[thedink9]

RC
I had a 20 with a 150 a fewe years ago and it pushed the boat, just fine.
The 97 will be rated at the prop. so if the compression ckecks out as normal, I would jump on it. Rich

[ScottM]

RC,
Is it worth rebuilding? Depends on the situation. A complete rebuild on that engine in my neck of the woods will run around $3K. If you don't have a lot of coin right now, this may be the solution. As John R mentions, the prop output of both engines is going to be very close, so you shouldn't be concerned with the 150. If it were me and that 150 was double the price of a rebuild on the 185, I'd go for the 150. It's a newer engine with more life in it than a rebuild.

[TUGBOAT]

I went from a 200 Mariner(85) to a 150 Merc.Carb (95) on My 83' 20' MA,Differance in Noise,Fuel economy is better, lost Speed,Butt what the heck She's pushed fine. Don't do the overhaul Unless You go from top to bottom,its just to old & You'll spend almost the same.Its only as good as the Guy re-building it too.Go Newer !
Scream'n Reels' [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[Billybob]

Hey RC,
If the price is right, the 97 150 will be fine.But if funds are tight, I would investigate whats loose.Is it running and somethings rattling - or do you know what it is?
If it were me, and say it was a crank bearing - I wouldn't bother. But if I didn't know, I would find out.
I bought an old 225, and I'm sure the guy that sold it thought it was dying.Turns out a reed block was loose, it cost nothing to fix and has been fine.
So, check it out first.
Bill

[Dave Hirshberg]

RC,
I buy and sell outboards from time to time and a 185 is not worth rebuilding. Think about it... its 21 years old. You can find a good running used 91 to 95 150 for around $2500 and move up a decade in technology.
I guess I shouldn't be talking though, I'm typing this on a compaq 233Mhz computer... Think I better give Dell a call [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Briguy]

That 70's boat, that 70's motor, that 70's computer..... Wow, do you still have plastic protection on your velor couch next to your lava lamp????? [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]