Oem or Generic

While it makes sense to buy oem when needing electronics.
It doesnt always for the rest of the outboard.
Just as at the pharmacy it makes sense to buy the name brand if it alone works well 285 dollars,and the 12 dollar generic if one can make do with it.
Mechanics however are not required to ask,but doesnt hurt if you do.
A rebuild , I was quoted a price I did not like went online found the pistons(better ones) and needle bearings $11 each,and cut my $ spent in half,actually getting better high preformance parts in some cases.
Lower units used bring more than these new,one reuses the main shaft.
Just thought anyone needing a lower might like the link.
[url]http://www.sterndrive.cc/[/url]
Regardless of brand when referring to older motors the patents are long out of date,and sometimes parts scarce due to wanting the price up,or a desire to control that end of the market or just total lack of concern,you should after all buy a new one.

I'm glad you made this post....Coming from someone who has had 4 different lower units on their boat this year, I can speak first hand....Hit something in the spring and tore the lower unit up, no biggy, insurance covered it thought it was fixed...WRONG...The mechanic who fixed it chose to put an aftermarket lower unit on my boat, about the 3rd or 4th trip out, and after going through the manufacturers recommended break in, my prop shaft breaks in half and I lose a prop....Take it back to the mechanic, they say it must have been a faulty unit....He gets another from the same company, warranties my prop, and puts me back on the water....About the 3rd or 4th trip out, break a prop shaft and lose another prop...I'm getting livid by this time, and take it back to the mechanic...Tell him I don't want anymore aftermarket junk, I want a Yamaha lower unit....He orders one from Yamaha, warranties my prop, and puts me back on the water....Have had it back for about 4 or 5 months with no problems

Working on cars for a living as I do, I see a lot of aftermarket parts go through our shop as insurance companies are starting to lean on them more heavily...Again, I can tell you first hand, aftermarket is JUNK...9 out of 10 parts don't fit properly and have issues...OEM, 9 out of 10 times, the part is what it should be

I'll get off my soapbox now, just had to blow off a little aftermarket steam

Nothing wrong with a lil soapbox,that particular one reuses the old one(main shaft).
Had a buddy that also got a Jasper powerhead three times as each one was inferior and didnt last past warranty.
And one does have to compare apples and oranges,what suits one,does not always another.
And I consider it a welcome darkside addition.
Pros and cons to both
And I might add it was wrong for him to use non oem parts without asking,makes one think the difference went somewhere.Generally the customer is aware of it and happy with some savings but not always.Maybe linked to insurance company?

[QUOTE=lilmule;468415]While it makes sense to buy oem when needing electronics.
It doesnt always for the rest of the outboard.
Just as at the pharmacy it makes sense to buy the name brand if it alone works well 285 dollars,and the 12 dollar generic if one can make do with it.
Mechanics however are not required to ask,but doesnt hurt if you do.
A rebuild , I was quoted a price I did not like went online found the pistons(better ones) and needle bearings $11 each,and cut my $ spent in half,actually getting better high preformance parts in some cases.
Lower units used bring more than these new,one reuses the main shaft.
Just thought anyone needing a lower might like the link.
[url]http://www.sterndrive.cc/[/url]
Regardless of brand when referring to older motors the patents are long out of date,and sometimes parts scarce due to wanting the price up,or a desire to control that end of the market or just total lack of concern,you should after all buy a new one.[/QUOTE]
if you are getting pistons and bearings for $11 i would be very warry of putting them in a motor,unless it's a weedeater.Much like fishin stated,i was in the mower repair business for 13yrs and do alot of auto,tractor and anything else that needs repaired now,i found early on in my business you have to watch what you save on,if you have a comeback it cuts into proffits pretty quick.and alot of times the failure is due to the previously installed inferior cheap part.even though they are warrantied i only want to do it once.i just replace the cam position sensor assembly in my wifes taurus,i could have saved alot by using a chineese made one,but after checking found out they were,possibly junk and the drive gear roll pin would fall out\break after a few thousand miles and cause catastrophic failure,guy at autozone said he'd never heard of that,so googling may have saved me a motor and some money.sometimes it works out sometimes it don't.

[QUOTE=CTFSHWHISKER;468666]if you are getting pistons and bearings for $11 i would be very warry of putting them in a motor,unless it's a weedeater.Much like fishin stated,i was in the mower repair business for 13yrs and do alot of auto,tractor and anything else that needs repaired now,i found early on in my business you have to watch what you save on,if you have a comeback it cuts into proffits pretty quick.and alot of times the failure is due to the previously installed inferior cheap part.even though they are warrantied i only want to do it once.i just replace the cam position sensor assembly in my wifes taurus,i could have saved alot by using a chineese made one,but after checking found out they were,possibly junk and the drive gear roll pin would fall out\break after a few thousand miles and cause catastrophic failure,guy at autozone said he'd never heard of that,so googling may have saved me a motor and some money.sometimes it works out sometimes it don't.[/QUOTE]
i seriously hope he just meant the needle bearing for 11 bucks...lol. even that is cheap for just that. i wouldnt trust an 11 dollar piston to make it off the water hose to leave the driveway