Which to restore?

[MarineSurplus]

Hello everyone!

I’ve always had a fascination with vintage outboards and have finally been able to find the time in my near future to get started on a restoration project.

In searching for a SINGLE outboard to restore I stumbled upon a group of 8 of them for sale for just $400. Now, I need 8 outboards like I need an extra hole in my head, but irrationality and the chance to get a deal prevailed and now I am the owner of 8 motors that need restoration.

I’m looking forward to the project, but the question is: Which one?! I was originally thinking that I loved the little Evinrude Sportsman, but read here that the impellers are near impossible to find, and I’m missing the lower cowling as well. Now I’m looking at the Johnsons but the cowlings all seem to have quite a few dents and I’m no body shop man. But then again, maybe I can still do those?

My question is: Which would be best for a first timer? I want to pick one that isn’t (terribly) hard to find parts for and won’t cost me a small fortune to restore. I do have experience in other restorations of small motors and can lay down a beautiful coat of paint so I’m not fully inexperienced, but I also don’t want to get too deep by choosing a motor that has parts as rare as hen’s teeth.

With there being a multitude of experienced restorers and knowledgeable folks around here, I thought I’d ask: Which would be best for a beginner?

On a side note, I do own a Marine parts business that sells hard-to-find parts. Would any of these be particularly worth parting out?

[kerry]

Many members, myself included, would vote for the Johnson JW on the left in the picture. Probably the best “learner” outboard made that parts can still be found somewhat easily. Just keep those others around so you can choose the next project after you’ve gained some expertise.

If you have too many, AND not enough, you're a collector.

[MarineSurplus]

That Johnson on the far left IS very appealing to me, I have to admit. It has a great look about it and I can envision it being beautiful after a restoration. The only thing about that one is the extensive amount of dents in the tank. Any advice on how to deal with that?

• This reply was modified 4 years, 3 months ago by MarineSurplus.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 3 months ago by MarineSurplus.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 3 months ago by MarineSurplus.

[dave-bernard]

get another tank if it is that bad.

[lloyd]

I agree that the JW is your best bet for easy restoration and those tank dents aren’t bad at all. Best to leave them alone, get it running and pumping well and sell it to a local fisherman. I mechanically restored gobs of those JW’s and sold them to local fishermen for 300 to 400 bucks each.
financed my hobby that way.
The Sportsman can be a pain in the neck for a number of reasons.
The Johnson cowling dents are easy to repair with a light hammer over a block of wood. And you can get new primer seals and installation instructions from me. They will surely need new ones.
Fix and sell the JW. It will more than pay for you to play with the rest of them.

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