1959 Elgin 12hp Outboard Motor Lake Test on the Alumacraft K

My ugly black Elgin 12 on the Alumacraft K for the first time. I really like this motor. I should do some cosmetic work on it someday and make it look better since it is such a nice runner.

[@outboardfixer]

That is the smoothest sounding motor I have heard in a while and really fast for a 12.

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

This is a very smooth and quiet running motor and has great power for its size and weight. I really like these Elgin (West Bend) 12s. I habe a West Bend Commodore 10hp that is also a sweet smooth runner with very similar performance. Thanks for watching!

[@VintageOutboardMan]

I would love to find one of these here in Holland. They're quiet, they sound fantastic, they put out plenty of power I think, and above all they look amazing. You should definitely clean that one up and give it a paint job. That one is a keeper. Take care

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

I really like these a lot. They are very smooth and quiet runners with plenty of power for their weight. I'm very much wanting to find a West Bend 18hp. I like the styling also. The Elgins look pretty good, but I love thise West Ben's branded ones with their space age styling. I habe been wanting to clean this one up, but at the same time am torn. There is something to be said for a motor that looks like a beater, but performs flawlessly. I still think I want to clean this one up and make it look nice. They're fairly common here in the US. They're getting less common as parts availability dwindles and there is no place to take them for service unless you know an individual that will still work on them. I enjoy running something a little different at times though and I really like these motors. Thanks for watching!

[@GlenB1963]

No no no. Please leave it exactly as it is. Perfect is a motor that runs fine, and looks it age. I dare you to show self restraint. Man, have a listen to it purrrrr.❤ best wishes from Brisbane Queensland Australia 🇦🇺 🎉

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

I have left it in its current state of appearance since I have owned it. Someone painted it with a black rattle bomb. It was originally cream and gold. I really like the black and red paint scheme found on some of these Elgins. It is such a great runner, I just feel like it is a bit of a shame to leave it wearing this crappy and unoriginal paint job. I very much enjoy running this one. I have a couple others too. One has the cream and gold paint and the lower unit seems to vibrate more than it should. Still a nice motor. I almost always leave the paint alone, but the original is already gone from this one, so I am strongly considering painting it. Thanks for watching!!

[@robertmorris9998]

What a nice running motor! And it has a nicer tone than the Scotty you ran yesterday.

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

@@robertmorris9998 This one has been a beautiful running motor since I went through it after bringing it home. I guess the exhaust tone is a matter of preference. I like this one and the Scotty-Mac. This one is quieter. The Scotty is crisper. Thanks for watching!

[@pryan05p71]

I have an 1960 eglin 10hp, it looks the same, but i believe it has the same lower units as the 7.5 full cowling models. Like you said they run great. Thank you for the video

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

Yes, the 7.5 and 12hp full shift Elgins of this era were identical other than the powerheads and props. They really are excellent runners. Thanks for watching!

[@LL.bean123]

I had a 1958 Elgin 12 hp it would start amazing run amazing it ran great all the way up the full RPM. I could get about 20 miles an hour on my double haul Livingston catamaran after a couple days of use when I went over 2000 RPM, it would make this horrible noise and would not go any faster at first I thought it was something with the lower unit, I’m thinking it must be something with the dog clutch

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

Great motors. The issue you had with yours does sound like it was a clutch dog jumping out of gear. Depending on how much that has happened, it may be able to be fixed with only a clutch dog, but it could require a whole gearset. Unfortunately, parts availability is not great for these. You may be as well off finding another motor with a good lower unit and otherwise non running condition to.obtain your parts. Thanks for watching!

[@robertgatto6392]

American made?

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

Yes, American made by West Bend Aluminum for Sears and Roebuck under the Elgin brand name. West Bend outboard motor division was later bought out by Chrysler Corporation and would become Chrysler Marine Division. I kind of prefer the West Bends to the Chryslers, although there is nothing wrong with most of the Chrysler motors either as long as they were maintained properly. Many of them were neglected and beaten, which I believe gave them an undeserved, less-than-stellar reputation. Thanks for watching!