Re: Elgin outboard

[stxray]

I recently picked up a 5.0 Hp Elgin. He was asking $200 but took my offer of $100.
Looking back at it now, I think I overpaid. Here’s some things I should have considered…
1. Instruction/Parts Manuals – You’ll need a set of these. Figure on $30-40.
2. Fuel – If gas was left in the tank to evaporate, the carb will need to be cleaned (best case) or rebuilt (worse case). Rebuild kits are available but will cost you around $30-40. Also plan on cleaning/replacing the fuel line and in-tank screen.
2. Spark – If has no spark, it would most likely be points (I learned that the hard way). Points will cost you around $15 each. New condensers, should you need them, will set you back another $15/ea. If it does turn out to be the coils, they’ll cost you more than the motor.
3. Cooling – If it’s not running, there’s no way to know if the impeller is any good. You can figure around $40-45 for a new impeller.
4. Compression – If it has no/bad compression in one or both cylinders, you better love that engine and/or the restoration process as this is major.

All this assumes there’s no parts missing. Yes, you can do a restoration on the cheap but, in the end, its the love of that particular beast.