Reply To: New kid on the block

[Don]

The late 50s 10hp engines are one of my favorites for sure…But, there are a few things to look at fairly closely when considering a purchase. These engines had plain wrist pin bushings that were slightly undersize, they tend to wear causing excess rod slop. Check to make sure there is not alot of slop by rocking the crank back and forth slightly listening for the clunking noises that indicate worn wrist pin bushings.
1958 and newer 10hps used the smaller 5.5/7.5hp gearcase. Not a big issue unless water gets into the gearcase, then the extra power of the 10hp can ruin the driveshaft and lower pinion bushing pretty quickly. Decent driveshafts for these engines are getting hard to find…So, I recommend cracking the lower drain/fill lube screw and checking for water prior to purchase. Raw water, or the lack of anything trying to drain out usually spells trouble….
Add these two inspection points to the usual inspection points used for buying most outboards…