Need outboard mechanic in Springfield area

[Jamesdean]

Any recommendations for a reputable mechanics for older outboards in the Springfield area...finally getting to the stage of boat redo of needing the motor running. It’s a 1968 Evinrude Fastwin 18. All help greatly appreciated, and thank you ahead of time...if you want you can pm me the info. Thanks everyone.


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[Jamesdean]

This motor I picked up is a 1968Fastwin 18hp. The previous owner had used several times a month until he had a massive heart attack and passed. Some twenty years later his surviving wife decided to have a friend go through the barn and clean it out. He came across this motor that had been hanging on the wall this whole time. It turns over easily but as you can imagine the fuel filter for sure, Glass bowl on fuel pump, has varnished fuel in it, and I am sure the carbs are the same. The fuel lines are very brittle to say the least, and who knows what all. While I'm competent enough to do some things, I have never really dealt with an outboard. So I am in need of someone who can get this motor right so it can return to service. The compression is out of site. Take the plugs out and it turns over fairly easily, put them in and you need some lead in the bottom when you pull the rope. Over all it looks to be in good shape. A bit dusty, and a bit of what looks like oil residue above the gear bubble at the bottom. If some one knows of a decent mechanic in the area I would greatly appreciate it if you could share the info. Eric, aka "jamesdean".

[peculiarmike]

Left Springfield in '82. Still fish the area. SonSac Marine up by twin bridges on Stockton will do what you need and you won't finance his kids college. Call Bill and talk.

[Jamesdean]

Thank you Peculiarmike...haven't been here in Missouri to long and still trying to get the feel of things. I tried contacting the one a couple miles from me on Farm Road 129 but all I get is a message he'll call me back and after a couple weeks of that, either he's not interested, backed up real bad, or out of town. Hope theirs nothing else going on with him, but I need this working pretty soon.Thank you for the heads up on SonSac Marine. I'll google up the number and give them a shout and see what they say. I greatly appreciate the info. You all have a safe and joyous 4th...Be safe, and tight lines. Eric.

[day dreamer]

Give Micheal bender a try he is only one that works on my boat. He is south of Willard on AB hwy almost to Elwood. Division street west past air port. He is a great guy call him 417-234-8377

[ripnlips]

Now Weldon I would really like a chance to work on your boat call me soon.

[Jamesdean]

Thank you for the info day dreamer. I called up to Son Sac Marina to talk with bill and the lady who answered said bill was filling some propane but he was back logged like 3 to four weeks just to get a look at my motor so I called Micheal Bender and got his voice mail. Was shortly after you posted it so maybe he was done for the day... not sure but his message said he would call. If I don't hear from him in the A.M. I'll call again. At least I am on the waiting list at son sac marine if I can't get it done by then...Just have to wait I guess...thanks again. Eric

[Jamesdean]

Up date...Got a hold of Micheal Bender on the 3rd, and if everything goes to plan, he'll have the 18hp Mon. afternoon/ evening. Estimate was quite reasonable too...mostly depending on parts availability, and shipping cost. Should have it back and ready by the time boat is finished...WOOO-HOOOO. Done while it's still good to fish without needing 14 layers of clothe, always a good thing. Thank you to everyone...

[day dreamer]

That's awesome . You will see he is GOOD.

[Jamesdean]

Thank you again Day Dreamer... Peculiarmike, I did get ahold of Son Sac Marina and was told the mechanic had quit or something to that effect and that bill was working on a replacement but in the mean time was strung out trying to get other things done and would be 5-6 weeks till he could even "look" at my motor...was hoping to have boat on the water before then. Momma got cleared from Dr. to return to work, so now I get to work on boat more...She heads back to St Louis to get her truck on Sunday morning. I got 2 sheets of plywood, a 1x6 some Spar, and a couple of Brushes today. Set me back a bit, but was ready for that. Now in the next couple of days I need to make some saw horses, and get started on getting the wood put in this aluminum boat....LET THE FUN BEGIN...WOOOO-HOOOO!!!!!!!