1967 Johnson 40hp looky what I found...

[nearpar]

Received this 40hp Johnson outboard from my neighbor who told me "it just needs a flywheel " he received it as payment for a small welding job he did for someone about 10 years ago. The motor has been sitting in his barn for the last 10+ years. Fontunately for me I got it for free. I was thinking a tune-up, a new flywhell, and an impeller I will be on my way!

A couple days later I hoisted it up on my shop crane and tried grabbed the flywheel nut with a large wrench and it would not budge. I removed the cylinder head and the bottom piston was frozen to the cylinder wall. At this point the motor was probably good for parts. I tested the starter and the generator and they were working. I went to remove the lower unit and it was full of mouse droppings, acorns, and nesting material. The entire lower unit had at least a 2 gallon jugs full ! They must have crawler up the exhaust tube and then down into the lower unit. ( this was a long shaft motor ) So my lesson here is when you are actually going to spend some money on used motor that has been setting around and the owner claims it ran fine a few years ago, you need to make sure your not buying a new boat anchor !

[Daviet]

When I am looking at a used engine to buy, if it can't be run, it's a no sale unless it is really cheap.

[Haus]

at least it was free

[nearpar]

Also wanted to mention that looking from the outside of this engine you would not have guessed that it was that bad....

[kodibass]

Dang, well parts is parts