TOPIC: 1972 evinrude 50 horse electric shift

i am thinking about buying an evinrude 50hp, 1972, with electric shift controls, is there anything i should be looking for? known problems with these? i dont believe i will hear it run, i am hoping for a decent runner to put on my 14footer untill i decide what to do with my problematic 650merc. luv to hear the goods n bads on the `rude. thnx

If its hooked to a battery, you can just turn the key on and work the shifter to hear if the shift solenoids are working.

Check the condition of the wiring harness. Most are ready to crumble if you touch them. You can rewire it or get a new harness for around $200.00.

Make sure to check the lower unit for water intrusion, and that it has the ultra thin Type C fluid in it. Type C doesn't have the smell like regular lower unit grease.

Parts for this unit are very expensive, but if they are in good working order they are one heck of a good motor.

Ditto on what Littlefin said about the motor. I would really want to hear the motor run before i put any money out for it. You will need the contols for this motor also and you need to make sure the push buttons work properly as these are NLA. The lower unit solinoids are also NLA. So check it out really good first and it will also most likely need a water pump. Have fun and keep us posted, Skip.

thnx guys..it does come with controls, and a buddy of mine has a set of controls also. i am by trade an "automotive electronic accessory tech" so wires are no problem. he wants 600 for the `rude, and my 650 merc needs a new lower unit (as the gear box was water lubricated unbeknownst to me) and finding one seems to be a lil close to impossible and i just wanna have some fun on the water without breaking the bank, and this one is the best deal i have found locally. it looks clean and matches my boat frm the pic on the add

If you can't hear it run, at least test compression and spark.
It looks really clean though, so maybe it's a diamond waiting to sparkle.