These are great engines. You could probably put a whole top end on
for less than buying a new one and run it for years more. It isn't
just the engine cost. Changing beds, cable and hose routing, prop,
etc. will add up very fast. A top end may look expensive but not when
you compare it with the full cost of an engine change. You have a
good chance of getting away with just a head gasket and maybe a valve
job.

Are you sure it isn't a 2QM20? (Which was actually 15 shp). If so, I
have the service manual and could send you some scans of the cylinder
construction.

Even if salt water has gotten to the cooling passages, a new top end
will take care of that.
--

Roger Long



"Tim" wrote in message
oups.com...
I'd change it ASAP, but for the heck of it, remember..you can't tear
up
junk

I'd pull the valve cover first, and re-torque the head bolts. it's
possible that the bolts at the front of the head may have come loose
or
have probably streached. that wouldn't be a permanent fix by any
means.
but should "get you by" for a while. But don't stall a good repair.
I
can understand that you don't want to put a lot of money in an
engine
repair, but then again, you don't want to ruin an expensive head
either.

Those engines have a very tough lower end