I need an opinion! Or, two…

[David Jenkins]

I have brought hit and miss engines back to running order, a vintage Briggs and Stratton engine back and now am enjoying vintage outboards.  I just picked up a 1935 Evinrude Sportsman 1.5 hp.  I was told that it ran last summer, and I believe the fellow.  Very nice individual.  My question is, do I get it running and keep the “patina” and half there decals?

Or, do I get it running, polish the hell out of it and put new decals on it?  I would like to know what people think, as I like them both ways.  An “original runner”? Or a showpiece hanging with the others that is really cool, pretty, and runs.

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

I myself like to keep them in their work clothes.

It shows what their life was like before I got them.

I have a “59 Evinrude 5.5hp that spent it’s life going

on vacation to Canada once a year.

It must of rode in the trunk the same way all it’s life

because one side is beat and scratched real bad and

the other side looks real good.

But it’s your motor, fallow your heart.

[David Jenkins]

Steve, thank you.  When I was a kid, my dad bought a  Johnson 3 hp,  that we took to Canada every year on vacation.  I found one and it was the first outboard that I brought back. I paid a bit too much for it, and then did a lot of work in to it to get it running But when that thing fired up, and I took it for a run, it was great!  Still me favorite engine.  Still looks like it came out of the trunk. But cleaned up a bit!

 

[Buccaneer]

WD-40 is a fair cleaner, and doesn’t seem to hurt the old decals.
If it ran last year, I’d just put a little mixed gas in it and give it
a go, after making sure the gear case has the proper grease in it.
Not sure of the gas / oil mixture on that one, but 16: 1 is probably
okay unless you hear different.
I kind of started out the same way, but first “old cars”, hit and miss engines,
then outboards, as they were cheaper to obtain, fix, and tons of variety!
Enjoy.

Prepare to be boarded!

[Author]

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