90 Marathon Gas fixer upper? Worth fixing, been sitting for 2 yrs

[texman38]

Part out or fix?
what cart/engine is this?
frame is good, everything is untouched as it was last it ran 2yrs. ago...
piston is free (no compression, stuck ring?)
questions:
1. are these engines good enough to rebuild or better to buy a new drop in engine?
2. probably a money pit? likely hood of multiple components needing replaced? minimum components? worst case?
opinion 1990 marathon gas, good cart? or POS? parting out? how much are the parts worth alone? fixer upper or getter outer?

[CP241]

Biggest question that would need to be answered, how is the frame, particularly in the area under the seat where the front of the engine cradle mounts to the frame. They have a tendency to rust out there.

[texman38]

I will look closer, what I saw looked good

[newtjl]

The engines are pretty good and last for years with virtually no maintenance. You can buy a top end rebuild kit for one for less than 300 dollars and git er done on a Saturday with some basic tools and a half case of beer. They dont have much of a resale value unless they are immaculate. Parts are extra cheap with a few exceptions. These carts were virtually unchanged for many years so that helps parts and knowledge wise. Personally, I think the Marathons are still great carts even compared to their updated more complex descendants.

[racin161]

Good little work horse when running.

[Dabble Inn]

I vote to keep and rebuild but would like to see the entire buggy, even if it needs paint and upholstery I'd still rebuild and enjoy. It's fun to save the old ones

[Denglishdoc]

I bought one about a year ago that was a little older i think. rebuild the motor in an afternoon for just over $200. Continued to fix it up over a couple of months (paint and stuff) then sold it for a good profit. It was a fun cart. Only sold it because it was too loud for my 2 year old to be around. Went with an electric cart after that.

I vote rebuild, restore and enjoy. paint and upholstery is pretty easy if it needs it.

[ironrat]

Now really how can anyone really answer this. What is it you want to do with it? How much are you willing to spend on it, for what reason, to sell or? Only you can decide if it is worth anything. Not try to be rotten here, but

[seahunter]

Our 90 Marathon was sitting in the weeds behind abarn for 5 years when my wife asked an acquaintance if she could have it.

Skeptical, I rolled into the horse trailer and brought it home. Got it running that night.

That was 10 years ago. Have since rebuilt the motor, replaced most of the suspension components and put new wheels and tires. Still in regular use to this day.