Help identifying year on johnson 9.5 and things to look for when purchasing

im looking at a johnson 9.5 i found on craigslist. the owner is unsure of the exact year and i cant identify it because it has been painted. i can pick it up for 180 dollars. says everything runs great and has no issues. owner apparently has a pond i can see the motor run in. anyways, what im asking is what should i keep an eye out for when i check this thing out? anyone have a guess on what year it is? ill be driving about an hour to pick it up but 180 seems like a deal considering all the others i have seen. do you all agree 180 is a decent deal?

Re: Help identifying year on johnson 9.5 and things to look for when purchasing

Can't tell you what year is is with that funky paint job. At least nobody will steal it, heh-heh. Check the model number, if it is available. MQ-10 was 1964, increasing to -11 for 1965, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I truly like those motors. However, some key parts are now obsolete and getting awfully hard to find. One of those is the front motor mount. Grab hold of the flywheel (not running, duh!) and see if you can move the whjole powerhead fore and aft. A small movement in the rubber mounting is normal, large movement is a broken mount---all too common. Also make sure it runs and idles properly with the hood on...another common problem with no available parts. Both of the problems I just mentioned are MAJOR labor intensive repair jobs too.

Re: Help identifying year on johnson 9.5 and things to look for when purchasing

F_R said:

Can't tell you what year is is with that funky paint job. At least nobody will steal it, heh-heh. Check the model number, if it is available. MQ-10 was 1964, increasing to -11 for 1965, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I truly like those motors. However, some key parts are now obsolete and getting awfully hard to find. One of those is the front motor mount. Grab hold of the flywheel (not running, duh!) and see if you can move the whjole powerhead fore and aft. A small movement in the rubber mounting is normal, large movement is a broken mount---all too common. Also make sure it runs and idles properly with the hood on...another common problem with no available parts. Both of the problems I just mentioned are MAJOR labor intensive repair jobs too.

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thanks. it deffinetly needs a new paint job haha. anyone else with any info?

Re: Help identifying year on johnson 9.5 and things to look for when purchasing

Judging by the "bullet" on the gearcase I would say it is a 1968 or later. Earlier versions had the "bullet" sticking forward (just like the old 5? & 7?, plus 1958+ 10). Also the engine cover has a twist knob for 1964-65, then they switched to a lever on the pan below the engine cover for 1966-on. The idle speed adjustment knob moved next to the fuel coupler for 1967, plus the motor mounts were improved that year as well.

As was mentioned, model #s went from MQ-10 in 1964 through MQ-14 for 1968, then in 1969 the model # scheme changed. A 1969 was now a 9R69, a 1970 a 9R70 and so on through the 9R73 of 1973.

Re: Help identifying year on johnson 9.5 and things to look for when purchasing

$180 is not too bad as long as it's running Ok and you can be sure it will be good under load,but believe me if it needs attention they are a real PITA to work on and most shops won't look at them,at least in my area they won't.Having said that,I have two of them,and as I said when running well they are great.Just be sure what you are getting.
Geoffwga1.
PS the paint job made my eyes hurt.