Oem or Generic

[CTFSHWHISKER]

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.
http://www.sterndrive.cc/
Regardless of brand when referring to older motors the patents are long out of date,and sometimes parts scarce due to wanting the price up,or a desire to control that end of the market or just total lack of concern,you should after all buy a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.

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.

[Embrey]

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.

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