Restoring an old Yamaha 6B (2-stroke 6HP, 1980's)

[Spreu-boote]

I am restoring an old Yamaha 6B which is a 6HP outboard engine from the 1980's. According to the partslist I found, my engine was build between 1980 and 1981. So its a very old chunk of metal with al lot of wear and tear and a lot of work on it, but I loved it the first time I saw it.
I got it cheap for 150 euro's and I try to keep the restoration as cheap as possible but still do everything necessary to get a good and reliable motor for me and my familie.

First some pictures of how she was when I found her













It looked okay for the age and I was carefully optimistic. But with motors this age there are always some surprises. And surprises i found very soon

[Spreu-boote]

First I took the outboard apart to examine all the parts and soon I found some broken bolds on the inner exhaust cover. When I unbolted the cover I found a lot of dirt and scale on the inside and two very rotten gaskets.

I tried to unscrew the broken bolt-ends with a left-tap but they were to trapped so I had to drill and re-tap them. On one coolingchannel the was a little crack in the metal so I have to repair that.





Some new gaskets


And the crack repair with araldite liquid metal and three layers of thin copper

[Spreu-boote]

Not much interest in this subject I guess?

I leave the block for a while en contineu with the lower tailsstock where I found a bad bearinghousing. When disassembling it broke in two so I had to replace it. Replacement would cost me to much so I tried to 'fix' it




I soldered it with Durafix


The soldering went well



I also made a new bushing for where the oil seals will be placed







And a nice aluminium ring on top


And the result




I will give it a good finish but I can tell this bearing housing will be good for the next season and probably longer

[Oldman2]

Well I am following with interest, quite some impressive work going on there. Thanks for sharing.

[Pikey Dave]

Interested and following

[A1an]

Good work there.

The hood doesn't look right to me. That generation of engine had a square hood.

[Fenlander]

Yep another one looking in and interested, just forgot to add any comment.

Re the hood I think it's deceptive with no logo stickers and looks exactly the shape of the Mariner branded version I bought new in the 80s.

[A1an]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Yep another one looking in and interested, just forgot to add any comment.

Re the hood I think it's deceptive with no logo stickers and looks exactly the shape of the Mariner branded version I bought new in the 80s.

I think you are right, I had it in my head he was doing a 5hp then I noticed it was a twin cylinder so hood is indeed correct.

[Spreu-boote]

Thanks for letting me know you follow my topic. I will continue to post my attempt to make this old engine working and durable again. I must admid it is for me a big challenge as for my dayjob I am a personal health care worker (like a nurse) for people suffering dementia. So it's not something I do normally with all this tools and stuff ....

Kind regards from the Netherlands

[telecast]

Following - great thread - thanks for sharing.

Looking forward too seeing the results of your efforts - as I run a similar vintage engine

[Spreu-boote]

I cleaned the lower unit and it's ready for painting

[spartacus]

Good work on the preparation.

Are you planning on using a filler primer on top of the zinc primer?

[Spreu-boote]

Originally Posted by spartacus

Good work on the preparation.

Are you planning on using a filler primer on top of the zinc primer?

I am not sure yet. Its an old outboard so the pitting doesnt really bothering me. On the other hand, it's not really that much more work or money and in the en it looks just better

Do I have to prime first before using filler? I bought some etching primer as a basecoat.

Thanks

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by Spreu-boote

Do I have to prime first before using filler? I bought some etching primer as a basecoat.

Watch this:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vs2JboebULs

You can use an epoxy on the pitting, sand back then use the zinc primer. Any low points use a filler primer. Sand and repeat. As you're using a gloss top coat, then any imperfections will be exaggerated.

I know what you mean about being an old motor, but worth it since you've gone back to bare metal.

[Spreu-boote]

Thats helpfull and good to see what the results may be. I will go for some filler to make it smooth for a better looking paintjob

[paintman]

Use an epoxy filler or one sold for marine use. Car body type filler absorbs water.

Best to use an etch primer on bare ally before applying primer & colour coats.

If you have a black aerosol then spray a very light dust coat on the primer before sanding.
This is called a guide coat & as you sand you will be able to see any low spots as the black will still be visible. (I use a 3M powder type but the aerosol will serve as well & a LOT cheaper as you're only doing a one-off)

[Spreu-boote]

Between mechanical jobs I took some time for a rewarding job. I made a stickerset for the hood. I think they are for sale but to keep the costs low and just because I like jobs like this they are made by myself. The vinyl is from China. I ordered a bunch of colors so I can do more projects in the future.

First I transfered the original size and form of the stickers on the hood






Now the lettering






I like the red colour


Nice!

[Spreu-boote]

And then the other stickers. They were not easy to make






The sticker with the silver lettering is made with aluminiu tape


The complet set

[Oldman2]

A + star for effort. I'm glad you enjoy this sort of thing, top job, personally I would have paid for someone to supply me with a ready made set.

[paintman]

Very impressed!