Record keeping/ motor history

[wagemaker]

I am getting too old to remember the history of my motors. I was wondering what forms, card file, motor tag or other record keeping members are using. I know that I should learn Excel and use it but…(insert excuse here).
I try to keep track of: Make, model, year, purchased from, cost, repairs made & date, repairs needed, and notes. I use red tags for things such as dry gear case.
Thanks for your suggestions or samples of what you use.

[Buccaneer]

I created a Excel spreadsheet for mine, showing Make, Model, Year, Condition, Where purchased, Engine "Free" or "Frozen", etc. Then I went and bought a new computer and don’t have an Excel program anymore! 🙁

Prepare to be boarded!

[david-bartlett]

A good old notebook will work fine.

"The weakest ink is stronger than the sharpest mind". Somebody smart once said that.

[SCOTT BOGUE]

I make a Windows folder for every motor and then keep records of maintenance/operation and expenditures on Windows NotePad documents. The folder also has photos, notes, relevant emails, downloads from the internet, shop manual, parts lists, etc.; anything related to that motor.

[Mumbles]

Living under power lines, eating from aluminum cookware and drinking water from lead soldered pipes hasn’t improved my memory much so I find tagging motors and separate assemblies seems to work good. For example, if I do a run of gearcases, now I attach a tag with the date, what was done to it and whether or not it has oil in it and is ready to go. A digital camera devoted for the shop only is also a big plus to help organise things.

[Buccaneer]

Maybe we should get "Outboard Secretaries" to keep us organized?
Not sure if my wife would go for that or not, and not sure if I could
find one that would de-grease the outboards before I work on them, lol.

Prepare to be boarded!

[20mercman]

quote Buccaneer:

I created a Excel spreadsheet for mine, showing Make, Model, Year, Condition, Where purchased, Engine “Free” or “Frozen”, etc. Then I went and bought a new computer and don’t have an Excel program anymore! 🙁

This should have a "LIKE" button, as this is what I have done. I have a few more to add to the list now……….wonder how that keeps happening. 😆 Makes it easy to see what I have, and where they came from, when they were last run on the boats, etc.

Steve

[dan-in-tn]

Since I have a tendency to do the same thing to all my "Classic" OMC engines I have come up with a code system. I can’t even read my own writing anymore and get tired of all the notes. I have a ledger to keep up with the codes. Really simple. Code #21 is most common and includes what I do to most engines: coils, tune up kit, carb kit, water pump kit, gear case seal kit, spark plugs, any gaskets (base gasket) associated with the particular model worked on. Of course other information (model, year, major repair, date, etc.) has been entered by my wife a school teacher! Where do you think I get these ideas? Not from myself. I do some rebuilds, pistons, boring, porting, etc. and like to keep notes on internals, etc. on record.

Dan in TN

[sydinnj]

Something that I have thought of, but not acted on yet, is to set up index card file and put info a card for each motor. make dividers for each brand the put model and serial number across the top then add what ever you want under it. This way the file can stay out with the motors. Put down est. prices and this can help someone in the future.

[oltimer]

I use the inside (white) cardboard package of the smokes I use and punch a hole in it to attach a string. On every motor worked on goes the date of what was done; when it was tested; and fogged for storage. I always use 2 cards; one with the model/serial #, and year as in a lot of cases when their mounted it is more harder to find the info off the unit. Than I store the units covered in the light green see through plastic bags, to keep the units dust free.

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