What year is this West Bend?

[jerry-ahrens]

Found this one on CL. I am supposed to pick it up in a few days. Any idea on a year?

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[jerry-ahrens]

While your at it, here is another one. This looks West Bend built to me, I think?

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[kees]

quote Jerry Ahrens:

Found this one on CL. I am supposed to pick it up in a few days. Any idea on a year?

must be around 1956 ? at least they had a 2 hp close to that year

[frankr]

The 2hp was made for many years, but since it says West Bend on the side, it would fall into the 1955-65 range. Later ones would say Chrysler. Yes, the also made motors for Sears/Elgin till Scott-McCulloch gradually took over in 1959-ish. Your 12hp certainly is a West Bend. I used to have one. A bit "different" but a good running, reliable motor. In my not-so-humble opinion, the 2hp was the only air cooled outboard worth a hoot. (Oops, the 1-1/4hp was good also).

[lotec]

With the model # we’ll be able to pin it down exactly. But based on my experience with the colors, I’d say the 2hp West Bend a ’56 (orangish-pink & white) and the pink/white Elgin 7 1/2hp a ’59 and possibly a leftover into the 60s. (Especially if it is from Canada)

I’m with Frank on virtues of the 2hp – I put together an extensive write-up of information on them over on the Elgin page of my OddJob Motors website. Here is the link, scroll down to the 2hp section – that West Bend 2hp would be the same as the Elgins described: http://www.oddjobmotors.com/elgin.htm

[jerry-ahrens]

Thanks so much for the information! I saw these on CL and thought I would go check them out. I found my first Elgin about three yrs. ago in a customer of mines garage. It belonged to his dad who purchased it new. After doing the OMC coil conversion and a clean carb it was running. I must say, I am very impressed by how well this motor runs, starts easy idles good and has lots of power. I thought I might get a couple more for the collection! Here is my 7 1/2.

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[lotec]

The fiberglass hooded 7 1/2 is a whole different animal from your "top tank" motor. The glass-hood West Bend & Elgins of 5 1/2 to 35hp are among my favorite classic era motors – light, quite, powerful and easy to work on. Think you will really like the 7 1/2 when you get it going!

BTW, nice little collection with the 45 and Challenger: two super nice motors!

[jerry-ahrens]

Thanks Art!

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