Need Info From Experienced Scrappers.

[ride172]

I'm new to scraping metal and I have a fully functioning and running engine and outdrive from a late 50's inboard/outboard boat. It is a two stroke 4cyl engine and is made of aluminum. The outdrive seems to be mostly aluminum as well. They are both painted and I am using a magnet as my test. From what I gather this setup is rare and was the first I/O attempt by OMC.

 

What can I expect to get paid if I scrapped them? Can I do anything to them to get the highest aluminum price possible? I guess the engine weighs 300lbs and outdrive maybe 150lbs. I might try and sell for parts if I would only get $40-50...

Thanks for the help.

[Spectormj]

it really depends on location and metal prices and WEIGHT 

Weight is a big pay factor

[Spectormj]

i scrap some to hold me over on my huntin and jeep costs 

ive taken old above ground pools half a car a few hay rings about 100 washers and 300 dryers 

some weeks i make about 2,000 cause I'm there so much but others i only have small loads and total about 900

[yellaheep]

Separating the ferrous and non ferrous metals generally yields the most money. But you have to weigh the time investment to separate it all as well.

 

Painted aluminum will pay less than "clean" aluminum.

 

For example, I hauled off a complete Chevy Lumina for free. I decided to see what I could get for the car pieced out vs. as a whole.

 

Scrapping the whole car at the time would have come to $450-$475.

 

I separated the tires from the aluminum wheels, broke down the engine taking the aluminum heads, intake, brackets. Pulled the valves from the heads. Removed the alternator and starter. Removed the battery and radiator. Cut out the catalytic converters. Removed the aluminum control arms front and rear.

 

After scrapping the body, and recycling the aluminum bits, alternator, starter, battery, wheels, cats I netted just under $700.

 

The time investment was about 8 hrs.

 

........ I've not done a teardown like that since. Not worth the time investment to me.

 

What I generally do is grab a whole car as cheap as I can get it, list it for parts for a week or two, then strip the cats, battery and aluminum wheels to recycle and be done with it. Brass radiators too if it has one.

[jimoshel]

A talk with your local scrap dealer would probably do you more good than asking here. Prices vary depending on the market and the condition of the scrap.Some dealers have a direct line to the stock market and with in minutes of any price change there their price will show it. Also some dealers have shredders and will accept complete aluminum engines with the steel crank and cam still in it. Others, if they see as much as a steel rivet  they will not take it. Might try advertising on Craigs list or a boating mag. Might find somebody will pay more than a scrap dealer.

[sinkrun]

Most aluminum engines in not all have iron or steel sleeves for the pistons also with other iron parts that are cast in and next to impossible to remove. Around here you would get 8-10 cents a pound for it. I would put it on ebay with local pick up only I bet some one would really like to have it

[ride172]

Thanks for the info fellas. It is a cool old engine but I didn't want to be tied to it when it came time for maintenance and repairs. Having it gone in an afternoon seems appealing but I just don't like losing money out of convenience. I'm needing the money to finish the boat it was removed from. Never listed on eBay before, only been a buyer. Guess I'll try that and Craigslist.

Thanks again