wrote in message
ups.com...
Mr Wizzard wrote:

Evinrude made a 2-cylinder "3" HP? Wow, whats
that got, like a 1-inch bore per cylinder.

Very common motor in its day.

Thats cool.
I have the number for the dude on the East coast
that bought up all them Force/SeaKing parts if
needed. And yeah, stay away from the Clinton.
The Force's in the late 70's, early 80's had lots
of problems with the crazy spool-gear type recoil
starter, and such, but when a motor is free, money
spend for parts is not so bad. Speaking of old motors,
I recently did a full rebuild of a 1974 Sears Gamefisher
7.5, and almost ALL parts are still available including
pistons, and all bearings. This is a one-lunger Techumseh.
Old outboards are fun. (expecially when they run after
rebuild)

A hobby of restoring or playing with motors is fun, personally
rewarding and not to be dissed, even respected. But for practical &
reliable use these are, well, bottom-of-the-barrel motors & were so
even when new. Any 5HP 2-stroke less than 20 yrs old will outpower a
'70's 7.5 Gamefisher & be more reliable to boot - and is available for
the same or much less than the cost & time of hunting up & buying parts
for one. I have my share of small junkers around, too, Gales & such,
but it is wiser to put any effort or even parts into a good-performing
model of motor. The cheapos also use much richer oil mixes, which gets
expensive & dirtier.

All very very true. The old junkers given to me (Gamefisher included)
was my first introduction to boat motors in general. And since well
versed at rebuilding small engines in general, this was a natural for me.
After I learned what you just stated, I went out and bought a brand
new 2005 Johnson 8 2-stroke for my Zodiac, and then understood.