1981 Johnson 70

j-o-n

Recruit
Joined
Apr 17, 2008
Messages
1
I have an opprotunity to purchase a 16' warren center console with a
1981 Johnson 70
what is the reliability of this engine
is it easily repaired or is it a big money pit
I do apprciate your help
 

SpinnerBait_Nut

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 25, 2002
Messages
17,651
Re: 1981 Johnson 70

Welcome to iboats.
Non-repair outboard engine discussion forum.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: 1981 Johnson 70

excellant popular motor, parts are available, easy as any to work on.

BUYING A USE MOTOR

overall condition, condition of the place you are buying it from, usually tells you how they care for things. compression 100 + psi, and within 10% of each other, good strong blue spark, no water in the lower unit oil. look for discolored paint, (sign of over heat at
one time, also scarred up bolts, as why. have them start it. if they fail to put it in a barrell or tank, or on muffs, or in the water, to start it they don't know what they are doing. best yet is to take it for a 30 min to 1 hour test run. also if remote controlled motor, the controls should come with it


Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.

A 30 year old boat motor combo, may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.
 

fishdog4449

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 16, 2007
Messages
462
Re: 1981 Johnson 70

its a great design, but like any other motor will go to crap if not maintained properly
 

Chinewalker

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Aug 19, 2001
Messages
8,902
Re: 1981 Johnson 70

I agree. Good initial design. But, that motor is now closing in on 30 years old and is only as good as the care it has received...

Basic maintenance stuff is easy to come by - carb kits, waterpump kits, gaskets, etc. Most complete overhaul stuff is still available, too, although unless you're doing the work yourself, rebuilding a 30 year old motor is an iffy proposition...
- Scott
 
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