Repower issues

[Adam]

I have a 94 Explorer with one perfectly good original Yamaha 150 and one with a seized lower unit and many other issues which is making it very close to writing off as I'm not sure if $1700 on the lower unit and another $2k getting the rest sorted out is worth it as the pair is probably nearing the end of its time anyway. It just seems so wasteful to take off a perfectly good engine. Is it worth getting a new powerhead and lower unit on the bad one or should i just bite the bullet and replace them both with either a 250 single or the same yamaha two stroke 150s which I saw on Iboats for $8500 each hopefully keeping the same controls etc. I like the 150s as they seem very reliable and I'm not sure I'll catch any more fish with $25k four stroke. The boat is in great condition and is gonna do another 5 yrs with me I would think.
Any advice welcome?

 

[no problem]

Not sure if this is the exact model you need, but it's worth a look. I've heard nothing but good about them. I don't know if you need counter rotation or not.
http://www.sterndrive.cc/mm5/merchant.m ... Code=SE416
I just repowered myself but if your not sure it's cheaper to keep what you've got. What would cost $2000 to sort out ? If you were going to repower the good motor is worth around $2500 if it's in good shape. The bad would be nearly worthless with a bad top and bottom. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[Adam]

Thanks. That unit i alot cheaper than the reconitioned ones ive been looking at. The main poblem i have is the cylinder head was not put back on properly when the head was inspected when the lower unit seized and over the winter. Moisture got in and made a mess of the cylinders. Its going to need milling out and god knows what else to sort out. I'm no mechanic but i've got a guy that builds racing engines from the ground up seing what he can do with it but I fear the worst and even if we start the job i'm not sure what else will come up as a result.

 

[Grog]

If the motor is from the mid or early 90's it's not worth the $ to rebuild. For probaly a little over $8500 you can get a pair of HPDI's.

 

[BobP]

If it's just a lower unit, someone is selling 100% new ones for $1200, as I recall, saw ad in magazine. SEI ?

Don't do powerhead on something that old, since the other one may go anytime, and warranty is not much, 6 mo or 1 yr? Not to mention T&T units, that go for $1200.

Find a used motor for sale, should go for less than $1500, demo and have compression checked, that's it. Then keep old bad motor for spare parts.

If you want long term reliability with 5 yr or more warranty, buy new.
For economics, new is last option.

When getting new, might as well get instruments and controls, newer stuff out there today. If staying Yamaha and single, F250 is only V6 4 stroke motor I'd recommend.

 

[Adam]

Thanks Guys
If I move to a single i think the grady bracket has to be changed. And it seems $20k or so with controls is alot to spend on a boat worth half that even if it is in great condition. I thought someone might make a mod for the bracket but it does nt appear so. I've seen new TXR 150 2 strokes for less than 7k new and thought that might be the most cost effective new option even if it is a little old school and noisy.
I think you are right with most sensible option of buying a used motor or used pair. Does anyone have any advice on where to look? (tried ebay)

 

[Grog]

I looked for a used pair a few years ago, what a PIA! When they sell a pair they want more than twice what one motor costs. I'd check the local outboard dealers/marinas and see what they have from repowers. They don't advertise their used inventory.

 

[BobP]

I'm surprised you could find TXR 150s, that's an OX66 right? Those are cheap and prized.

I thought they were discontinued due to high emissions in favor of HPDI or Fs.

Stay away from dealers.

Place an ad in local Fisherman or internet place for "Wanted, Considering upgrading to 4 stroke? Private owner looking to buy your 2 stroke, need rating / years.....must be perfect running, sea trial, and checked out by my (Yamaha certified) mechanic"

On a repowering job, dealer pays $0.00 trade in for existing motor. Watch them run. Pick and choose.

Most 4 strokes installed as retrofits have nothing to do with any current bad 2 stroke motor issues.

 

[Adam]

Thats a great idea I'll give it a shot. The new OX66s i found are at http://www.edsmarinesuperstore.com/yamaha.htm
they have 3 left but unfortunately no good as they dount have a counter rotation left so I dont think you can put two the same way on or is there a way around this. Shame as they would have just bolted straight on with minimal hassle.

 

[BobP]

Ask Ed if he can fit one standard RH motor up by swapping lower unit with counter rotator lower unit, (standard dealer policy).

Considering you would buy two and this econonmy, I'd expect him to water at the mouth and say sure I can! THE CCR motor is a little more expensive, buy pay nothing more for lower unit labor on swap. (It's a 1/2 hr job anyway).

The only difference is internal to lower unit, and LH prop, that's it, absoluetely no other changes above. I think the local tilt actuator will be on the inside, so what.

And don't let anyone tell you what I just wrote is not 100% true.

Tell Super Ed to read this post. We will see if he steps up to the plate!

As far as converting to single motor bracket, cheap job, relative to 2nd motor cost. Severel guys do alum drives, a few grand installed, I'd say.
Google D&D, I think he's one such drive builder.

 

[gw204]

I dont think you can put two the same way

Been there, done that. It works fine. The only thing I noticed was it was slightly harder to turn one direction than the other.

 

[Adam]

Power boat race ace engine guy came up trumps. Went to see him this morning and it was a bent reed and he cleaned out the cylinders. Way beyond me but hes got it running nicely somehow so I'm getting the new lower to replace the seized unit and we live to fight for another year on the 94 pair. Huge relief...put off the repower for another sumer.