What motor to look for?

[tsmgc]

I am starting a restoration on a 16 foot ’57 Wolverine Wagemaker runabout that I hope to run on Lake Tahoe.
It calls for up to a 50 hp motor and must be a 4 stroke to use on Tahoe.
Are there any favorite 35-50 hp vintage motors you can suggest for me to look for?
I’ll need to know the motor before I install controls, cable, electrical, etc.

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge, experience and advice.

[retiredoz]

‘Bout the only ‘vintage’ 4-stroke that comes to mind would be a Homelite or one of it’s cousins. It’d still be a ’60s motor…

[stanley]

I can’t suggest a motor,but I wonder if any of the forum wise men can come up with a way to put a vintage shroud on a modern 4 stroke motor?

[phil-b]

The Fageol 44ci/40hp was announced in 1957:
http://www.fiberglassics.com/library/Fageol

But I imagine the Bearcat/Homelite versions from the 60’s would be easier to find (and more stylish: the Fageols look like someone put a bucket over it)!!

http://www.4cyclemarine.com/bearcat.html
http://www.bearcat55.com/

I’ve always liked 1958 Johnson lineup, which included the 35hp and 50hp (porthole/fat 50) "Super Seahorse" models….. But they’re two-stroke… I have a hard time imagining getting a modern engine under a Mercury Mk 55 or Mk 75 shroud, but maybe I’m wrong! In 1957 Scott-Atwater had a 40hp, but it may be an acquired taste!

[eltoquad]

Check your PMs I sent you info on a Fageol I know of that’s for sale for $200.00

[auldscott]

It is possible to put a classic shroud on a modern engine. I have seen several such conversions, and they can look very good. However, each combination of modern and classic has its own requirements for all the many dimensions, mountings, colors, connections etc. There is no "book" for doing it.

Try putting out the inquiry to the group by asking for those who have done it to respond to you.

[garry-in-michigan]

No Antique or Classic motor would meet the emission requirements for Lake Tahoe. HOWEVER The "Fat Fifty cover can be adapted to many of the compliant outboards. I have a picture of one, but I cannot currently post it here.

I made a payment to Walagata.com as soon as I got the notice my account was expiring. However it is now 5 days and I still can’t access the pictures I have stored there. – 😡

[eviltwin]

My vote would be for BearCat (goes with Wolverine and an animal theme.)

Here is an example:
https://www.google.com/search?q=bearcat+4+stroke&rlz=1C9BKJA_enUS686US686&hl=en-US&biw=1024&bih=653&prmd=sivn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj9tLeL3IvNAhWszIMKHUV8AOUQ_AUIBygC#hl=en-US&tbm=isch&q=vintage+bearcat+4+stroke+outboard&imgrc=J5QpCZNInL0AaM%3A

[auldscott]

One of the Carolinas chapter members describes what he did:

I purchased on EBay a cowl with the "fat fifty" shape. I remember the price was $50 but the shipping was very high (weigh and size). The real trick is a V4 shape can completely cover a modern straight inline 3 cylinder engine.

The "conversion" was that I put it over the new engine (3 cylinder Yamaha) and it almost fit. A sawzall trimmed some metal away and darn it fit. The new engine still has its original cowl. The old cowl has enough weight so it will not bounce off. The old cowl had form sound deadening inside so there is no metal to metal contact. There was maybe 30% of open space on the sides between the two so air can get into the modern engine but you can not see the space unless you are looking up from ground level. I also painted part of outside cowl the same color as on the new motor’s bottom.

[stanley]

This pic is from the Glen-L forum

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