Value of 1977 135hp Johnson

I have a good friend who has an old Cobia fish and ski boat with a 1977 135hp (I think) Johnson on it. It has been sitting in his yard for two years and he is thinking about getting it out putting new gas in or whatever else is needed to get it running again and selling it. He said he doesn't have time to mess with it though and if I give him $500 I can take it home and do what I want with it just to save him the time of doing.

My question is what is this motor worth? He said he had a new powerhead put on it 10 years ago and he has barely used it since and it runs like a brand new one. I have 100% faith in what he says. I was figuring it should be worth $1500 but I know a lot of people don't like to buy old engines because of the price of parts on some of them.

Re: Value of 1977 135hp Johnson

The local boat shop here takes old engines (in the 70's usually, the old mercs), fixes them up and sells for $1500. He sells the 'newer' Chrysler/Force engines for about $2000 and the 60-degree OMC v4's for $2500 (those are all asking prices anyway). That's his going rate for his 115-135hp models.

Note though, he offers a 30-day warranty, and has it completely serviced top to bottom before selling it, so the buyer is also getting that added value.

Re: Value of 1977 135hp Johnson

It's well worth the $500 but probably not much more than $1000. If it has power tilt 'n trim that's a HUGE plus as trim units for pre-'78 motors are rare and expensive to come by.

Re: Value of 1977 135hp Johnson

Yes, it has fully functioning power tilt and trim. I think I may end up just passing on it. I was just going to buy it and resell it but if there's only $500 to be made then it may not be worth my time. I haven't looked at the boat closely but it's a 77 model fiberglass boat so I am guessing it's has minimal value because I'd be willing to bet there is some rot in areas of the floor.

Re: Value of 1977 135hp Johnson

powderfinger said:

Yes, it has fully functioning power tilt and trim. I think I may end up just passing on it.

Click to expand...

The tilt unit, by itself, is worth $400+ on ebay. I'd buy it for $500. I'd shine it up, mount it on a boat, take lots of pictures, take it out for a ride and take some good video, and post all of those things in a Craigslist ad. I bet you could get close to your $1500 with that.

(also, I may add that if $500 isn't worth it to you, I'm apparently in the wrong line of work!)

Re: Value of 1977 135hp Johnson

I'd like mount it on my old 24' pontoon boat but it was only rated for a 50hp from the factory so I am afriad I would tear something up putting that bigger motor on there. Plus it's an older boat so the toons aren't as big as the newer boats and it already sits fairly low in the water.

Re: Value of 1977 135hp Johnson

Yeah I wouldn't even consider mounting it on your toon.

Re: Value of 1977 135hp Johnson

If it's a 135hp then it's 1973-1976. If you get the whole rig for $500 and you don't fall through the floor - you could make a few sheckles. +1 with EZ...way too big to use on your pontoon.