Help identifying motor

[cwar1972]

Hello all
I recently acquired an old motor when my dad passed away and know very little about it. It’s an old Elgin, but it’s not the typical blue-green color all the ones I’ve seen online are. His neighbor said he got it a few years ago, dad was told it’s a 1956 model, they cleaned it up a little and had it running really good. Since then it’s been stored in a temp controlled garage. I’d like to find out more about it and see what kind of value it has. I haven’t had the chance to find a serial number or anything like that yet. I only know it’s a 5.5 hp, has forward and reverse, and under a small hinged cover there is a button to empty out the carb when your done using it. It looks to be in good shape and all of the stickers appear to be original, with no sign of having been taped off if it was repainted. Any areas where is is scratched through the paint show no signs of previous layers of paint. Any help would be great. Thanks a lot! I can send other pics if need be.

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[Anonymous]

don’t know for sure but it is latter than the green ones. most likely late 50’s. it is original colors. worth what some one will pay. not a real collector. they were good motors.

[cwar1972]

Ok thanks all the pics I’ve seen were green… Appreciate the help

[Mumbles]

West Bend built the 5.5 horse Sears Elgins from ’47 – ’59 and they didn’t start offering colors other than green until around ’58. I’m thinking it’s a ’58 or ’59 model but posting the model/serial number will be the only way to find out for sure.

[cwar1972]

Ok will post when I can

[Tubs]

http://elginoutboards.org/

A "Boathouse Repair" is one that done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.

[20mercman]

The Scott/McCulloch motors were very nice motors. These were built at a time when Sears still wanted to sell high quality products. I would first clean the motor up and see if how it presents. It looks like it could be a fairly good original, but may be a candidate for cosmetic restoration, or spot treatment. They run very well when in proper tune.

Steve

[seakaye12]

Those West Bend Elgins were pretty nice…and I think that the models like yours (from the late 50’s on into the 60’s) would make a great base for a small affordable collection.

You don’t see them every day (especially the unusual colored ones) and like others have said…they are good runners.

They aren’t worth much…and probably never will be worth much…..but that also means that you can build a collection "on the cheap" if you’re doing it just for enjoyment.

I wonder just how many colors there were? I had an all black one for a while…..looked just like yours except for the color.

PS: Hopefully the decal is in great condition on the other side as well; some basic touchup of the black areas and that motor would clean up very very well.

[lotec]

FYI, on most of the fiberglass hooded models from 1955-59 you will find the ID tag on the tiller arm. My hunch is you’ll find it a 571.59721 which is a 1957 model year motor and was made by West Bend for Sears.

I find the fiberglass hooded West Bend-made Elgins to be one of the most under-rated motors in the club. They are smooth, quiet and relatively easy to work on – also more powerful than their OMC competitors. If you look at the Elgin page on my OJM website there is a fair amount of information on the 1956 5 1/2. (You’ll have to scroll down below the info on the 2hp) Here is the link:

http://www.oddjobmotors.com/elgin.htm

The 5 1/2 Elgin models were mechanically identical from 1956 to 1959, only the hood, paint and graphics changed.

ENJOY!!!

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