Buying an old outboard engine that doesn't run can be a BAD idea

Buying an outboard engine that doesn't run can be a bad idea. Why I am giving up on the Evinrude 2 - Two stroke 2 horsepower outboard engine. Last year I purchased a non-running old outboard engine. This 1977 Evinrude 2 stroke outboard motor wasn't seized up, but it had not run in years.
I have had good luck getting some old outboards running again and decided to try another old outboard motor repair. But this time this vintage 2 hp boat motor was nothing but problems, disappointment and heartache - not to mention the cost! Sometimes it's just not a good idea for an amateur like me to try to fix up an old little outboard motor like this Evinrude 2.
Here's a playlist that includes videos of what finally happened to this engine!
• Evinrude 2 - old Evinr...
#evinrude #2stroke #outboardengine
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Why I thought I could handle fixing this Evinrude 2 hp outboard
03:10 Comments from viewers telling me to not do this project
03:52 Sunk Cost Fallacy
04:39 The last straw with this project
06:58 I'm a Quitter
09:15 Lessons Learned
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[@mitchelldranow5069]

I understand your frustration, but you’ve overlooked the fact that by attempting to get this motor running, you’ve further enhanced your mechanical knowledge of outboard motors. While you didn’t get this motor running, what you learned about the design and operation of it (or lack of) will aid you in your next project. You didn’t spend a ton of money. I see it as a success.

[@hankschrader149]

On the other hand I just had a mechanic who used to work for OMC and was an instructor for tech's in the pac nw. Not many of these 2 stroke guys left! He got my 120 hp Looper back up and going good

[@azheatsource]

It takes a lot of courage to pack it in like that, some time enough is enough.

[@manuiwa5905]

Sorry for the frustration. I was one of the guys that wanted you to fix it. But kudos and respect for putting in the effort. On the positive, I know your knowledge and expertise has grown exponentially through the experience. Soon, if not already, you can't say your disclaimer that you are a beginner at boats. Thank you for taking us along on your journey and know that we appreciate your efforts. Keep up the great content and stay safe!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@11bayrat]

The money you spent is your price for the schooling and learning some of us just have fun learning and tinkering!that’s money well spent.and you got to make a few more videos and help a friend with parts. That’s a real win win in my book! That motor just keeps giving and giving!!👍🇺🇸🇺🇦

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Great points!!

[@hankschrader149]

Lol yep been there done that 🙋‍♂️ I've got a 2000 6 hp Evinrude 4 stroke in my garage! now try and find parts for that (last of) OMC outboards!! Never have heard it run but hey I had to have it! 😂

[@Dailyfiver]

I luckily got rid of a Jeep because I knew of sunk cost fallacy hahaha. It was costing me thousands and it would continue to do so if I kept it. I found a used old lady owned Lexus with low miles for cheap and it changed my life. It can be a good thing to “give up” sometimes! Don’t feel bad, cutting losses is a smart decision if it’s not going anywhere.

[@dgrigg1]

I enjoy watching your journeys into boating. I like that you integrated an economic concept into this one. One more you might add: opportunity cost. Unless your time is worthless, you invested a LOT more than $225 into this engine!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

TRUE! And thank you!

[@jeffmelton6875]

I just finish your video about 2 strokes where you talk about this motor as a fail and decided you watch this one because I bought a 74 Johnson 2HP a few years back. Mine is running great and perfect for what I use it for. I had a similar experience to yours with many frozen bolts and other problems. The most difficult problem was a leaky gear case shaft seal. It still leaked after replacing the seal and I discovered the drive shaft was so badly pitted that the seal couldn't do its job. I avoided buying a new shaft, which cost more than the motor was worth, by brazing a stainless sleeve on the seal area and turning it down until it was thin enough to fit. Lots of hours and sunk cost. Bottom line: I think you made a good call to let that motor go.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Yeah sadly some of these are more trouble than they're worth - however the next owner has a lot to work with!

[@garnettwoodside2685]

You did your best I appreciate the time you put into it thank you so very much

[@boatbuilder1954]

Well Wayne, I have the same exact motor as you have and was looking forward to see you complete this build so I could do the same to mine. Now Hopefully Brandon will rebuild this so I can fully see what to do. As for the pull starter ,I hate to admit this because I am really good at fixing things but I spent over two hours on that pull starter before I got it all together and working. Now I will watch and see how Brandon repaired it. The good news for you and for Branden is you both just got a new subscriber! Thanks

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

I hope your engine is a better candidate for revival than this one! These engines are quite simple and basic, I just got in too deep with this one!

[@boatbuilder1954]

@@WayneTheBoatGuy I had the motor given to me about 8 years ago and didn’t start it until last year and it ran pretty good but couldn’t get it started this year. I am pretty sure it’s the carburetor and have ordered a rebuild kit and also new impeller. The motor hasn’t got much use on it as the person who it belonged to passed away about 30 years ago and has sat in their garage all these years . I was surprised that I got it started last year. Also watched Brandon’s video and I see where I could have saved a couple of steps by taking the rope pully apart. Thanks Wayne

[@user-fd1qz9yi6m]

We finish what we start a hobby that is fun.

[@edvanderveen5973]

I like your box taping technique

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

lol

[@mte874]

A fantastic video 👍👍 Some big life lessons here to hold on to.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@paulpuglia8480]

Wayne, love watching your videos I notice you're not doing as many this year but yes you did the right thing by quitting you're still ahead you have other outdrives so what's the point move on find another project have a nice weekend ciao for now bro.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Thanks! - I hope to get back to posting new content every week pretty soon!

[@gillesgomez3091]

Good idea to send this motor to Brandon. He's the one who could fix it. I don't like the idea of trashing things that could be fixed and have a second life. Have fun with your boats. The summer is not over!

[@steelcityrooferjm]

I got a real good deal on 2 evinrudes that were non running, a '72 85hp and a 125hp. Between the 2 of them i got the 125 running with not too much trouble and feel like with a few parts off ebay i could get the 85 going as well. I was only about 700$ into the both of them so I feel on top of the game

[@sharonbraselton3135]

I0 hp eltric

[@richardgrady2232]

Make sure it's running 👋

[@chriseisele9969]

Sometimes things don't work out. I'll let you know how my 1973 evinrude 25 hp comes out when I start on it this winter btw I only paid $30 for it Chris from OHIO

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Nice!

[@chriseisele9969]

I'll let you know how it goes 😏

[@maddgoatee9708]

Ya, I was leaning towards hang as art when you asked. I have a 7.5 and 35hp mercury art hanging in my garage I was giving for free. My buddy bought them and had no clue how to repair. Said I can have them. Started 7.5 once, needs carburetor work. It'll stay running if I spray gas down the carb. In my state all bodies of water don't allow two stroke. Sad because the 35hp is in showroom condition, never tried starting. So currently no need to fix them.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

In another state - those would sell for a few $$

[@sharonbraselton3135]

8 hp eltrc betrre

[@wayneberry8703]

G’day Wayne, you tried mate but as you said good money after bad!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Yeah - it was best to move on!

[@Mascotal]

I would take the lower unit and try to fit a lawn mower motor onto it. Air cooled, dependable, low cost.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Yeah - lots of potential projects with these!

[@youdonthavetoreadthispost.5850]

If it's not running it's a 'pig in a poke' that may not be capable of a 'resurrection'. I was given a six horse Johnson that was a question mark and it was a great small motor. I've made enough on small outboards to make that worthwhile. Put it on the porch Wayne 🙂. The cover is worth a few bucks 🙂

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

It's going to a 'good home'!

[@ScottWConvid19]

I bought a 16' jon boat, trailer, 9.9 Mercury 2 stroke, and trailer with depth finders, lights, etc all for $1150. The transom needed to be replaced. After putting about 15-20 hours into it and spending over $300 on tools and parts, I realized that the entire aluminum sheeting on the back was pitted and there were over 50 holes in it. Just to replace the aluminum that needs replacing, material costs alone are in excess of $800 including aluminum, wood and epoxy, paint, sand blaster, etc. I realized that I was sinking. Now my boat sits in the yard. Thinking about turning it into a roof for a wood shed. Very sad to quit, but It's just not worth all the money and all the time it will take to get it sea worthy. It's a relief to quit when a project is stealing your time.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Dang - on the plus side all of the other components have some decent value... and it might make a sweet roof!

[@hankschrader149]

@@WayneTheBoatGuy oh man I like the way you think Wayne! That's called up-cycling? 🤔 haha

[@ScottWConvid19]

@@WayneTheBoatGuy that was my thought, exactly.

[@dmc9492]

Wow I'm restoring an old Johnson 18hp 2 stroke that I bought running but blew a coil then there were some issues with the carb now I'm doing a general tune up/service but the thought "throwing good money after bad" had occurred to me as well, hope not!......🤑🤪😬🙏

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

good luck! An 18 hp is much more motor than a 2 hp!

[@dmc9492]

@@WayneTheBoatGuy well I travel the great lakes & the sea's get pretty rough at times so it takes more "grunt" to get through it also have an old Mercury 22hp no one seems to know anything about I'd like to get running

[@markcollins5026]

Man, many year's ago one of my buddies had a 15.6 ft aluminum boat with a 18hp Johnson on it, man one of the fastest boats on the lake, that thing would fly !

[@BD-oo6ru]

It's a bummer but if you work on stuff you're eventually gonna get a lemon. Been there, done it too.

[@scottmu1]

sometimes you just have to cut your losses and move on and use it as a learning experience

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

This was one of those times for sure!

[@-Viceroy-]

Next time take a strong grip from the magneto wheel and see if there is any play in the lower bearings. (just watched Brandon's video)

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

This outboard really did need EVERYTHING!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Here's Brandon's Garage video showing what happened to this engine! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYTFaKR9prF_bKM If you haven't seen some of the other videos in this series: The first video "should I fix this?" kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnOqnpeeaNWapJo The second video "good and bad" kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZjXe6GofNx1eNk Brandon's video "fixing the pull start" kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4e9mnmPbaeho68

[@pdlegend6829]

Wait no! I have one exactly like tha! We can make one good one out of the 2!!t

[@rgboyte]

Wow !

[@joeordinary209]

I had one of those from new. It actually newer worked well, was always hard to start, probably the worst outboard ever owned, and I have had many...

[@victorremick9721]

Getting rid of it will be your worst mastake. When your constaped you take something to fix the problem even if it takes a bit to inprove the situwation. you don,t just spend the rest of your days with a belly ack.

[@markcollins5026]

Man, just fix it and say I did it !

[@mattbrown5511]

A wise man knows when to walk away from a losing situation. I think you made the correct decision. I hope Brandon(?) fids this little engine a fine home. I look forward to the day I can get my own boat. Be well and may you have full stringers.

[@spavliskojr]

A wise man knows when to cut his losses and move on.

[@joecote827]

Sure could use some of these parts

[@j.markkrzystofiak9907]

I’ve been there, and learned the lesson the same way. Just with a Jet ski. BTW. Why all the tape on the top of the box but no more on the bottom?

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

I went back and added more tape!

[@brian_onthewater]

Is it already spoken for? I have a 1985 on my 12ft jon could use some spare parts

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Did you watch the whole video? I share where it is going.

[@edvanderveen5973]

Hot day down there?

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

It was extremely humid too!

[@fern8808]

put a 4 stroke lawnmotor engine on it or convert it to electric if you haven't tossed it yet.

[@Cutebabys12377]

Kiddie motor or mini motor?

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

I think some of these were used as trolling motors

[@sailingpittsburgh]

I would never buy something that is not running.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Smart!

[@hankschrader149]

I personally like the challenge of getting it running, within price limits of course! Not gonna spend too much money on an outboard I can't see run

[@stevesmith6058]

😊 why did you buy parts for it if you’re not gonna fix it that’s stupid you have all the parts you need to get it running now you want to trash it now that’s stupid you don’t go out and buy parts and then trash forget about it you just proved everybody out there that you can’t work on these things so over your head what’s so complicated about it you just said three things spark compression and fuel you have all those it’ll run I would’ve seen it through all the way

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

I didn't have all the parts I needed. You also might want to see the video on Brandon's page of what eventually happened to this motor.

[@ralphbarker7791]

First of all you make money from your videos, so why would you not want to show more about the 2 hp. You live in the United States and parts are a lot cheaper than in Canada. For god sakes man a used stater plate is only about $30.00 on e-bay. That 1977 2 hp in good condition sells for $400.00 in Canada.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Even if I got a new plate and screw for $40 shipped, I still wasn't sure about enough other components to feel that I was on the right path. I got much more satisfaction from giving the motor away than I would have gotten from seeing this project through.

[@ralphbarker7791]

Yes, that is another way of looking at it and after all the compression is only 78 psi so it would need rings soon too. It does get discouraging and very time consuming. I enjoy your show Wayne and you are an excellent narrator. You must have been a teacher?

[@markcollins5026]

Man, just fix it and say I did it !