Re: 1976 Johnson 35HP installing tell tale
BTW -- Did you replace the impeller yet? Per earlier advice rec'd, you should be into some basic "first things first" maintenance on the cooling system, particularly if you think you have problems. You indicated the motor was stored for about a year, as I recall, but don't recall if you had any info on the history/use. If the motor overheated previously, it would be useful to know that going in. After you have done the basics to get the cooling system working as it should, you could start working on installation of a tell tale -- but really should do that on a motor you know to be operating correctly. It won't help diagnose preexisting cooling issues, and may just complicate issues if you are trying to figure out whether the motor is initially in good operating condition. If you haven't done so already, you should be running a compression check. Get a model-specific service manual for your motor, and a parts manual if you can come up with one. If this is a first motor, learn the basics first -- lots of advice here on the forum from people who have been doing it for years. I would say water pump first, along with t.stat if there is one, then run it in a tank a bit to make sure the cooling system is working, then proceed to carburetor and ignition issues as appropriate. In terms of cost (assuming you have manuals), I usually estimate in the range of $130 to $150 for parts. Maybe you are way ahead of this stuff. Good luck. Make it fun.
I have an impeller, thermostat, and year specific service manual on order, waiting for them to come in.
The impeller was trashed, only 2 of the 6 vanes were still intact.
It appears that all/most of the pieces couldn't fit inside the water tube and were lodged in the output of the water pump.
When I removed the thermostat, it was still able to function, but was covered in water scale.
I've taken off the exhaust cover and the cylinder head cover in order to see if any rubber pieces are lodged somewhere.
So far, I've found none, so hopefully everything was at the pump outlet, or they were flushed through the motor and out the exhaust.
I figured since I had both of these covers off already, now would be a good time to install a tell tale. If mounting it on one of these covers is a good location, I could drill and tap it while it was off the motor. This would eliminate any chance of damaging the motor by drilling into it and/or having metal shavings inside.
Before all this, the motor would run well, but would obviously run hot because of lack of water.
When first started, there would be a small spray of water coming out of the exhaust relief ports.
After about a minute or so, the water spray would stop and the motor would start to overheat.
I'm guessing when the thermostat opened, the water pump was too weak to pump into all of the "new" cavities.
Thanks for all the advice and I apologize for snapping at you.
I've been on several different forums covering various topics and have found there seems to be 3 types of people on them, ones who give great advice, ones who never answer questions or give advice, and ones who are always negative towards others.
Your post appeared to be from one of the negative people. I hope I was wrong, as it now appears you may be one of the great advice people.
can't take it back.
