johnson 88 special

95glas

Seaman
Joined
Dec 19, 2009
Messages
61
almost closed a deal on a boat that has a johnson 88 special- my concern is i have have 2 dealers tell me this motor isn't that reliable.. any truth to that? if so if/ when goes better to replace with something else or rebuild this one? the $10g price tag on a new outboard doesn't look that appealing to me
 

npd4432

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 18, 2006
Messages
468
Re: johnson 88 special

I would not be going to those dealers anymore. The 88spl is one of the most tried and true designs OMC made during its tenure. As with any used outboard, maintenence is the key, make all of the necessary checks of the motor before purchase and I am sure you will not be disapointed.
 

95glas

Seaman
Joined
Dec 19, 2009
Messages
61
Re: johnson 88 special

thats sorta was i was thinking, they told me was a cheap motor- reason why no longer produced and that never came with power trim/ tilt- had to be customer installed ... was having second thoughts about trading my 90 hp mariner outboard in on this boat.. comparing the 2 thought about equal power and the johnson at least looks lighter so decided to let the mariner go
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,385
Re: johnson 88 special

They are a great motor. Never had one personally but only hear good things about them.
As with any used motor you should verify the condition of it before purchasing.
 

npd4432

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 18, 2006
Messages
468
Re: johnson 88 special

Yes, the Spl. line of motors produced by Evinrude and Johnson were "cheaper" versions of the regular line of motors, they always did not have power t&t or oil injection and some of the other "bells and whistles" of the other motors, but they were basically the same crossflow design from the mid 1970's.
 

tal

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 21, 2003
Messages
214
Re: johnson 88 special

Had a 1992 88spl on the back of a 17ft sea pro center console. One of the best motors I've ever dealt with. Only had to replace water pump and defectors under the heads, and thermostats. Never had to touch the carbs within 7 years of owning it. It started easy and never left us stranded, even when it was overheating. Ours had tilt/trim and no oil injection.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: johnson 88 special

The 88SPL was a 90 on which PT&T and oil injection were not standard equipment. It was every bit as reliable as the 90.

That made the base price lower. You could order PT&T and oil injection but had to pay extra.

My guess is that both dealers who lied to you had some ulterior motive, as salesmen often do.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: johnson 88 special

i have had several of these motors over the years. great powerplant, huge torque. they are Premix Fuel motors, you have to add oil to the fuel. they difference, is the did not have the bells and whistles. just the overheat alarm, the other were not needed, due to the premix fuel. in the later years they were available with trim and tilt. they are easy to work on.

All of the SPL motors were basically designed to be commercial, work motors. then the recreational boater found them, when the unreliable VRO fuel pumps were introduced.

i would not hesitate to buy another, that passes the prepurchase inspection.
 

seahorse5

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jan 24, 2002
Messages
4,698
Re: johnson 88 special

the SPL motors such as the 28, 48, 88, and 112 were not commercial motors (those were the "W" series) but these were the economy motors which had the same power as their twins in the similar sizes, but lacked the extras to keep the costs down. They even did not have zinc anodes on them.

The 28 used the older style lower unit, unlike the thru-hull exhaust type used by the 20,25, and 30-35 engines.

The 88 and 112 were the older 90? V4 crossflow blocks compared to the 90 and 115 60? looper design.
 

95glas

Seaman
Joined
Dec 19, 2009
Messages
61
Re: johnson 88 special

posted this same question on another site and am getting pretty well the same responses...even told a better motor than the mariner i am trading for it w/ the boat its on- sorta surprised at that! this one has the anodes but are shot.. even told has some potential for engine mods due to the similiarities with other v-4 johnsons...am sorta hoping has oil injection- when i go this week to finalize deal, i think first thing going to check out- not surprised that i sounds like the dealers i spoke to were honest with me- one was trying to sell me a new glastron with an evinude etec- said hull has lifetime warranty- went to another dealer and they told me glastron is in bankruptcy protection- if go bankrupt good luck getting hull defects covered! thanks for all the info, am learning alot lately
 

ljf

Seaman
Joined
Mar 3, 2006
Messages
51
Re: johnson 88 special

I have owned an 88spl for twenty years in south Florida,running in nothing but saltwater and all I have done is change the water pump,lower unit oil,plugs and water diverters in one head.
All it requires from me is a good flush after I come back to the dock,and regularly clean corroded terminals.My only regret is that I did not grease the bolt heads regularly. I can't imagine them unscrewing easily.
 

surrender

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 25, 2009
Messages
393
Re: johnson 88 special

Just picked up a 96 88 special. Model number is j88tsledr
Dont know if it runs yet. It will turn over. Should I clean carbs, change plugs, lower unit oil, impeller, ect, before trying to start for first time. I dont know when it was last run. I'll start with fresh gas for sure. Also, what mix should i use? Is 50-1 the way to go or is this motor better with a different mix. Oh yeah, what brand oil do you evinrude/johnson guys recommend.
Thanks
 

95glas

Seaman
Joined
Dec 19, 2009
Messages
61
Re: johnson 88 special

went to see it today- doesn't have oil injection...any recommendations for mix ratio/ oil?
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: johnson 88 special

50:1 87 octane, TC-W3 outboard oil. does not matter what brand, synthetic will smoke less at idle.
 

95glas

Seaman
Joined
Dec 19, 2009
Messages
61
Re: johnson 88 special

anyone know what compression readings should get from a healthy 88? thanks
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,385
Re: johnson 88 special

anyone know what compression readings should get from a healthy 88? thanks

Compression testers vary in accuracy. Typically all cylinders within 10% of each other and above 100 psi. If in doubt try a different tester for comparison.
This is a guideline only. Report back what you find.
 

dieselcat

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 1, 2009
Messages
351
Re: johnson 88 special

I bought me an 88 spl last year and i love it.it is an 1987 still working out a few bugs in it that i'm finding along the way.i bought the motor from several states away off the internet knowing nothing about it,all in all i'm very pleased with it.
I got it at a reasonable enough price,so i figured if i had to put a little money in it i would still come out ahead.so far my plan is working,lol
 
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