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1990 Four Winns 220 OMC 460 buy or steer clear

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phantastes

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"Hi Folks,

I'm looking

"Hi Folks,

I'm looking to purchase my first boat and found a 1990 Four Winns 220 Horizon in good condition with a 460ci engine. The motor turns over a bit but finally starts and once running sounds good. I'm 55, not boater literate and would like something inexpensive and reliable to wet my feet. I gave a down payment of $500 and am supposed to pay the remainder when I pick it up but last night I came across some disturbing posts while researching this engine. Such as that the company (OMC) is out of business and parts are hard if not impossable to find. I'm paying $3800 for this boat. Should I stay away or go for it and if the engine/outdrive crap out can I replace it with something current and how much would that cost?

Thanks"
 
"Greg...as much as I like the

"Greg...as much as I like the 460 (I have 2 of them in my boat) I would stay clear. The hardest to find parts for it are the exhaust manifolds and the engine drive coupler, if it weren't for them (they are must haves) I would say go for it. The other issue is and this depends on what year the motor/drive is whether it's an 89 or 90. I know your boat is a 90 but sometimes they put last years power in. In 1989 the 460 still had a clutch dog outdrive and in 1990 they went to a cone clutch but that was the only year so those drive parts are very scarce as well."
 
"I suppose you can't go to

"I suppose you can't go too far wrong for $3800, you could probably sell it in pieces for more than that, but my vote is steer clear as well if you aren't a mechanic are are looking to boat on a budget.
Those 460's for some reason are way thirstier for fuel than the 454.
I can't imagine your fuel bill, Bob.... what would you burn at WOT, about 40 gallons per hour?"
 
"I've had that thing for 1

"I've had that thing for 12 years and can honestly say I've only hit WOT with it twice, once when I bought it and last year when the engines went back in after stringer/transom work. I don't know what the fuel rate would be at WOT (not sure I want to know) I normally cruise around 3000-3200 which puts me on plane around 25 mph and that way I can pass every 2nd marina gas pump
lol.gif
"
 
"lol u said it bob, do you hea

"lol u said it bob, do you hear a sucking sound from your tank like the bowl of a toilet turning running two of those things at 25 mph?"
 
"Thanks for your help folks. I

"Thanks for your help folks. I've decided to pass on this boat. I've called marinas, researched on the internet and I've not found anything to oppose your advice.

Thanks again"
 
"For sure Brett....can't r

"For sure Brett....can't really hear it over the noise of the engines but I imagine it sounds very much like that
lol.gif


I think that's wise Greg...there is lots to chose from out there being a buyer's market, go with a Mercruiser for ease of finding service and parts and then next would be a Volvo....keep in mind that the smaller OMC's like a 350 are still reasonably easy to find parts for but the 460 has a couple of strikes against it...good luck!!!"
 
boatin_bob said:
"Greg...as much as I like the

"Greg...as much as I like the 460 (I have 2 of them in my boat) I would stay clear. The hardest to find parts for it are the exhaust manifolds and the engine drive coupler, if it weren't for them (they are must haves) I would say go for it. The other issue is and this depends on what year the motor/drive is whether it's an 89 or 90. I know your boat is a 90 but sometimes they put last years power in. In 1989 the 460 still had a clutch dog outdrive and in 1990 they went to a cone clutch but that was the only year so those drive parts are very scarce as well."
Click to expand...
I have zome exaust manifolds for sale if intrested.
 
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