How to prep engine before sale?

[admirial_deluxe]

I will be selling a '56 30hp Johnson Seahorse Javelin in the near future. I'd like advice on how to prep it for storage (when I take it off the boat) and sale.

Can it be stored on its side?
What would make it easy for a buyer to inspect it?
Etc etc

Thanks,
Eric

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Building a motor stand is easy. Put wheels on it.

 

[Ray Clark]

Building a motor stand is easy. Put wheels on it.

That's how I did it.

Search for DIY Outboard Stand on YouTube and you'll see a whole bunch of them.

A stand allows you to work on the motor easily and show it to prospective buyers quickly. The outboard also has less risk of damage than just laying on its side. A 2 cycle is pretty tolerant of laying on its side, but in my experience, stuff happens and there's a greater chance of accidental damage to the machine if it's just "laying there."

 

[PunkR0ckz]

I will be selling a '56 30hp Johnson Seahorse Javelin in the near future. I'd like advice on how to prep it for storage (when I take it off the boat) and sale.

Can it be stored on its side?
What would make it easy for a buyer to inspect it?
Etc etc

Thanks,
Eric

First of, it depends on what you want out of it.

If you are looking for a quick sale, you could sell it for parts, as is, obviously.

Otherwise, if you're looking for the most amount of money; clean the carburetors, change the water pump, change the oil in the lower unit, change the sparkplugs if needed.

As far as the buyer side of this goes, I would say a very crudely made 2x4 stand is the most crucial thing. No one wants to bend down to inspect an outboard engine or wants to take it off a boat (unless its discounted for the labour done to do so). Having a pressure gauge ready to prove it has great compression is also something I would love, as a buyer. If you have the last shop inspections/evaluations/repairs bills, that's also great.