Honda 8: Classic or new design?

I

Iconoclast

New member
Just bought used '83 Angler, mechanics say kicker motor ('93 Honda BF8) is totally corroded so that they cannot even get the bolts off to try and clean the manifold, and that there was so much sludge in the crankcase that the oil would not come out. (Boat has Honda 75 main motor which is currently being checked out, but at least ran properly twice since I bought it.)

They have offered to take the old motor for parts for a $200 credit toward a new kicker. Any opinions on the Honda "Classic" 8 vs. the new design? Do I need 9.9 if I am going to wander off the Oregon coast looking for lingcod and chinook, or is the 8 good enough?

The boat has one of those folding stainless steel brackets on it stamped "20 hp max", but the dealer is telling me I should go with the Classic 8 because it's lighter, and more suited to the bracket.
 
Iconoclast, congrats. on getting you're new/used angler. Hmmmm....about the old 8hp Honda classic, they're a pretty good little kicker. I'd take a good look at the zincs on the lower unit to start with and see what shape they're in. If they're not to bad and if it were mine, I'd put in new plugs, filler up with 10W/30W synthetic and fire it up. If she runs good and you have water coming out of the dishcharge tube I'd think twice about dumping it for a $200 credit on a new engine. Those manifold nuts you can soak with break- free for a few days and with a little gentle tapping should loosen up if you decide to take it off. Do the same with the lower unit nuts and plan on replacing a new water pump so you know you're good there.

The old 8hp Honda classic will push the C-Dory with no problem but don't expect planing speed...it will get ya home.

Dan and Jan on Flat Iron
 
Iconoclast,

I did not see that you said how long your boat is. This will probably elicit more Pub response on your kicker.

I do agree with at least trying to get your old motor apart and really seeing the facts. Might want to get some other opinions once you do, even if they are with pictures on this site. You may want to gather more opinions on kicker size and if you go with another 8hsp you can probably salvage more than $200 worth of usable parts for the future.

If the kicker was that badly neglected I assume that you have thoroughly checked out all through bolting and outer hull bracket mountings for leakage or possible dry rot?

Jon
 
It's a '21 per the title; I didn't think they made '16s or '19s back then. As best I can tell, the hull is OK, but I don't have a lot of confidence in my ability to tell. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

The kicker wasn't pumping any water, and the mechanic, having tried a penetrant to get either the manifold and lower unit off, issued dire warnings about breaking the bolts if he went any further.

I suppose if I wound up buying another Classic 8 it might make sense to keep the old one for parts, but what I was really trying to get at on this thread is whether anyone had any information on the new 8s vs. the Classic 8s. Honda seems to sell both kinds, but only provide technical data on the new ones.
 
Hey a '93 BF8 is not old. Old is 20 years or so... most mechanics don't have the time to soak all of those nuts and bolts properly...

Rather than give it up for parts I'd give 'em a long soak time and gently, but gently take all apart - field strip it - and see what you've got. They come in the shop many years older than that with ZERO maintenance - oil looking like mud - and leave running like new. A little heat will help sometimes to start the nuts to move... patience.

New water pump impeller fer sure. And the BF8er has plenty of thrust. I've come back over 200 NM in the ocean with the "old" BF8 pushing a heavy 26 ft. boat with a sick outdrive.

Dusty
 
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