The 22 cubic inch motor (18-20-25hp) has a long history, and many changes along the way. None of them could be classified as "bad", but overall they were improved as they went along. For instance in 1961 they started using the bigger wrist pin bearing –the same bearing used in the big V-6 engines. That ought to be tough enough. To me, they started their decline in 1968 when they started dinking around with the environmental issue. Supposedly they ran cleaner, but that is mostly BS. What they did do though is run worse at slow speeds.

I like the Evinrudes 1961 through 1967. Johnsons of course were the same, but with different hoods. Evinrude hoods fit better and tighter and rattled less. Of course if you want the classic old metal hoods those ended with the 1958 models.

Not quite sure what you are asking zephyr. Like Frank says, the 22CI engines suffered in the 70s when OMC struggled to make them more environmentally friendly. Adding low tension ignition to the mix just spells more frustration. I will make an unpopular generalization by saying I would avoid any of the OMCs with low tension ignition. This is not to say that these engines can’t be made to run reliably, but the low tension ignition usually requires more servicing than CD2 or the universal mag, and this system is usually more prone to plug fouling….