70's/80's Evinrude 2 hp OB - Worth fixing?

[prof_mariner]

I've just acquired an old Evinrude 2 hp outboard that I'm told won't start. From its appearance I'd guess it's from the late 70's or early 80's. The engine cranks easily but the pull cord is jammed. I found a couple videos on Youtube where guys rebuilt these. My question is this: is it worth the time, money and effort to repair? I love how lightweight and simple it is (my 4 cycle 4 hp weighed easily 5x more). But how cheap /easy to find are parts and is it worth it?

[Sailmonkey]

I’d rebuild that little thing (or just repair what’s required) for the joy of having a cool outboard!

[rolandcavanagh]

I have the Mercury version, great for a "stroll" around a harbor. Reverse is a little quirky...

[JimsCAL]

They made a LOT of those over the years. Parts should be readily available. The current 2-3 HP 4-strokes are heavy, expensive and can be unreliable if not given ethanol-free gas. I would fix it.

[prof_mariner]

Any suggestions for source of parts? Free online shop / user manuals?

[JimsCAL]

Try boats.net for parts.

[Cheechako]

I had one on my first cruise to Mexico in the 80's. Good little engine, although as a 1 cyl a bit rough and a pain with no gear shift. Super light weight though! maybe see if you can free it up, the piston is likely stuck in the cylinder. Fill with light oil or kerosene etc and let it sit a while.

[OldManMirage]

I have the same engine, and I'm rebuilding mine.

Try www.maxrules.com

The guy has a great website loaded with parts for old outboards like this.

[wsmurdoch]

I have one. The grandkids use it on the old dinghy. It starts easily, and they love to go in tight circles because the straight line speed is (safely) slow.
The parts you'd probably need are still readily available try https://www.boats.net/catalog/evinru...oard-by-hp/2hp

Bill

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by wsmurdoch

I have one. The grandkids use it on the old dinghy. It starts easily, and they love to go in tight circles because the straight line speed is (safely) slow.
The parts are readily available try https://www.boats.net/catalog/evinru...oard-by-hp/2hp

Bill

Yep, had one jump of the transom of a dinghy as a child. Dad fished it out of the canal and got it running again without too much trouble.

However, be aware that every bolt that goes into aluminium is going to be seized with 40 years of corrosion and the bolts are made of chocolate, therefore they are bound to snap and leave a bit in the casing. You will become good at drilling and tapping new holes.

What ever you do, don't undo the big screw on the top of the engine cowling, it holds the spring in place and its a devil of a job to wind it back in again.

Fun little engines, I am just extracting a couple of chocolate bolts out of the slightly later 2.3hp version. They are soaking in WD40 as we speak.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by prof_mariner

I've just acquired an old Evinrude 2 hp outboard that I'm told won't start. From its appearance I'd guess it's from the late 70's or early 80's. The engine cranks easily but the pull cord is jammed. I found a couple videos on Youtube where guys rebuilt these. My question is this: is it worth the time, money and effort to repair? I love how lightweight and simple it is (my 4 cycle 4 hp weighed easily 5x more). But how cheap /easy to find are parts and is it worth it?

I might check into parts availability. Something that old may no longer be supported and I believe OMC went tits up?

[BobFord]

I was told by a Dealer that my 2hp Yamaha was a 'write off'. With nothing to lose , I carefully dismantled it , took plenty of photos, invested in Carby Cleaner and followed You Tube blogs. Re-assembly was straight forward and the little bugger keeps on going , 2yrs later !!

[Captain Parry]

Originally Posted by prof_mariner

I've just acquired an old Evinrude 2 hp outboard that I'm told won't start. From its appearance I'd guess it's from the late 70's or early 80's. The engine cranks easily but the pull cord is jammed. I found a couple videos on Youtube where guys rebuilt these. My question is this: is it worth the time, money and effort to repair? I love how lightweight and simple it is (my 4 cycle 4 hp weighed easily 5x more). But how cheap /easy to find are parts and is it worth it?

Everyone comments on my old Johnson 7.5hp Seahorse. Starts every time.

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by prof_mariner

Any suggestions for source of parts? Free online shop / user manuals?

I would do the rebuild for 2 reasons.
A. I might get a working motor out of it at the end.
B. I would get experience rebuilding and working on motors on something that I could afford to throw away if I screwed up. If you are going cruising you want to know how to repair your stuff even if you expect to normally hire the work out. Sometimes you will be places where there is no one else to do the work.

I got manuals for my 1982 Johnson by going to the library. I took the 2 I found to work and scanned them into PDFs.

Take a photo of the serial number sticker and post it here. We can find out what year it is which will help with getting the right manual and the right parts.

https://www.themanualstore.com/Evinr...uide-s/232.htm

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Captain Parry

Everyone comments on my old Johnson 7.5hp Seahorse. Starts every time.

Hang onto it. It is an antique.