Boat motor rebuild?

[Eagle19]

Anybody done a boat motor power head rebuild? Looking at a good deal on a 2010 merc that needs a rebuild. I know a lot of the older motors were sleeved so a rebuild wasn’t that bad.

New/rebuilt power heads for this motor are $2,000-$3,000.




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[Leemo]

I’ve rebuilt 2 Yamahas for my crab boats, one rebuild I got about 1500 hours out of it, another rebuild it never ran right, I won’t do it again. Generally a rebuild is a 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of a new motor, it’s a crap shoot in my opinion. I make my living on the water so I only buy new motors now. If I was going to use the motor for pleasure, I’d take a chance if I knew the mechanic was good

[Walker]

Ive done mercs, evinrude/johnsons, and yamahas. Mercs were the most difficult to stab pistons. One thing about 2 strokes is you can go oversize on just one piston if thats all thats needed. 2000 to 3000 for a new/rebuild sound down right reasonable to me.

[Fmjag64]

$2k-$3k seems pretty low per what I've shopped around for a Yamaha 250 Vmax. Seems more like $5k is the going rate for known shops but that also includes new fuel lines and everything else involved.

[tx_basser]

I think it really depends on how the motor was treated also.. My 98 Johnson 200 was rebuilt by the previous owner right before I bought it about 8 years ago, and it has been strong ever since. I could tell he had taken care of the boat and he showed me the paperwork from the place that rebuilt it and they had good review and were well known.

If it is an EFI or CARB I would think you should be fine, but an Opti I don't know if I could take that risk.

[Fmjag64]

I think it really depends on how the motor was treated also.. My 98 Johnson 200 was rebuilt by the previous owner right before I bought it about 8 years ago, and it has been strong ever since. I could tell he had taken care of the boat and he showed me the paperwork from the place that rebuilt it and they had good review and were well known.

If it is an EFI or CARB I would think you should be fine, but an Opti I don't know if I could take that risk.

100% if i am buying a boat 5-10 years old, I would have zero issues with a reputable rebuild with warranty. Never know when those things are gonna go.

[Capt Glenn]

I had a couple 2 stroke outboards rebuilt years ago that were never the same after the rebuild. On my boats it would be new powerhead or new motor only. I won't ever waste my time and money on a rebuild again.

[Notaguide]

I had a couple 2 stroke outboards rebuilt years ago that were never the same after the rebuild. On my boats it would be new powerhead or new motor only. I won't ever waste my time and money on a rebuild again.

This^^^^

Rebuilt a 150 Johnson (bored block with new piston and rings) years ago and was plagued with every other problem from that point on. Wish I had the time spent both on and off the water back. Hated that motor.

[Eagle19]

Yeah I’m trying to figure out what route I want to go. A 2010 merc 60hp I’d probably have about $4000 wrapped up into it after rebuild. The heartache I have with that is $5500 I could just get a new Tohatsu.

Or I could just get like a 89 40hp Evinrude that works. I think you can upgrade carbs to 60hp. Then just be done with it for $1,000.

This probably isn’t my forever boat, but the difference between the two motors could improve the value of the boat.


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[cbd10pt]

Pull the head off and make sure it's not just a head gasket.
if the cylinder walls are scored go ahead and buy the tohatsu

[cbd10pt]

If you find a head gasket is blown and the cylinders are okay
you should probably have the head milled to make sure it's still flat, being careful not to cause clearance issues

[cva34]

I rebuilt lots of Steel/Iron motors(auto/truck/industrial)and got long life comparable to new ..Aluminum motors esp Marine not such good luck...maybe its just me but thats my story.

[Flex]

I wouldn't fool with it. Buy one thats either been rebuilt or is already running good. Especially if you are looking at 10+year old motors. There is an almost endless supply of good running 80's and 90's 2 strokes that will scream for cheap.

[Duckologist]

Yeah I’m trying to figure out what route I want to go. A 2010 merc 60hp I’d probably have about $4000 wrapped up into it after rebuild. The heartache I have with that is $5500 I could just get a new Tohatsu.

Or I could just get like a 89 40hp Evinrude that works. I think you can upgrade carbs to 60hp. Then just be done with it for $1,000.

This probably isn’t my forever boat, but the difference between the two motors could improve the value of the boat.


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I wouldn't spend 1K on a 31 year old motor either

[panhandlehunter]

I’d just go buy a new one. The price for a 60hp ain’t that bad. Nothing worse than motor issues on a boat.