Powerhead question
 

I have a question for the experts. I have an engine that I'm selling and this is what it looks like. It's a 1989. Would it scare you off?
http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/...psbbc46f9d.jpg

I'd want to hear it run and do a compression test. But outside corrosion, while ugly, would not by itself scare me off. It's what's inside that's important.

I've run it on muffs and checked the compression. Ran great and the numbers were even. I had a guy come up from cherry hill today and look at it. He kept telling me it was mud and that the engine was underwater at some point. I thought maybe I was crazy in thinking it was ok.

That guy is an idiot.

To me it would depend on the price.

If it runs good and has good compression numbers, then I would take a chance on the corrosion at the right price.

I would want to see that pic above before I traveled to see it in person.

I second what everyone else said. It's all in the internals and how it runs. Now......a little cosmetics go a long way. Get yourself an electrically powered Dremel Tool and go to work cleaning up the corrosion. Apply a coat of zinc chromate primer and some fresh black paint.

I figured if I painted it, it would look like I was covering it up. Cleaned right up with a wire brush.
I originally emailed the guy some pics and video of it running. Here's a screen grab of the video, clearly shows the corrosion. I think he thought I would just give it away.
http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3133bb5a.jpg

looks just like the 88 special on my McKee. One of these days im going to clean up the corrosion and paint the power head. kinda normal for those motors, tehy had a pretty crappy paint job from the factory

Yep, pretty well normal for an older outboard that has been in the salt, or any outboard for that matter. Heck, every 5 or so years you should pull the pans, degrease one, and respray it to keep it covered. It is all part of engine maintence to keep the paint touched up. It's going to chip off, and once it starts to chip it will start coming off in pieces. Your only choice is to clean it up and repaint them. I don't care how good you clean, prep, and paint one, it is only a matter of time before the paint will start to come off again.

That's what I figured. Would that be a deal breaker for you? I was trying to be honest with the guy but I won't be beaten down like I'm some sort of shiester. I figure I'd rather see the engine in its natural state than a rattle can clean up on the block.