Late 70's to Late 80's - Worth shopping for?

[jimmbo]

Change the Gear Oil
I would run it on a Tank of 50:1 premix, until I could verify that the VRO/MRO was operating

 

[saltchuckmatt]

Alright, I looked at several motors. Most were needing too much.
I just happened to refresh my FB search sort by newest.
It's a 1994 Johnson 90hp.

Besides an impeller, what else should i buy to freshen it for it's first trip out?

Did you do a compression test?

 

[redneck joe]

rule #1 on first trip is no wife or kids only someone good with a wrench.

 

[Berdink]

Did you do a compression test?

A little low. All around 85 & 90.
It also has a slight sputter off and on at idle.

 

[Berdink]

Although, it may have been sitting for some time.
.
The suggestion I'll try this coming weekend is spray SeaFoam directly into the cylinders, crank the motor over by hand, and retest.
I may even try the seafoam shock treatment.

 

[racerone]

It is MORE than a little low.----Pull bypass covers and look at pistons / rings.----Unless you have a faulty gauge?

 

[Berdink]

At first I was all scared. Why would someone drill two small holes in the lower unit - just below where the muffs go and just in front of where the muffs go.
But then I found others had those two holes also.

 

[Berdink]

It is MORE than a little low.----Pull bypass covers and look at pistons / rings.----Unless you have a faulty gauge?

I might have a bad tester. Cheepo from Amazon.

 

[jimmbo]

At first I was all scared. Why would someone drill two small holes in the lower unit - just below where the muffs go and just in front of where the muffs go.
But then I found others had those two holes also.

Likely drain holes for water

 

[Berdink]

I'm going to do the 'loan a tool' thing from the autoparts store for a compression tester.
I'll likely not get to it until this weekend. I'll post back what the results are.

 

[jimmbo]

How many revolutions did you crank the engine for the compression test?

 

[saltchuckmatt]

Most likely you now own 2 dead outboards. Always take one with you to purchase a motor.

 

[Berdink]

Yeah, it was in nice cosmetic condition - especially compared to the others I looked at - and it started right up and ran pleasantly.
.
I needed something for an upcoming fishing trip, and I was anxious to find something sooner than later.
.
The Suzuki? It has no parts support.
.
Depending, I'll likely rebuild this Johnson this winter - our winter weather keeps me inside anyway.

 

[Berdink]

I have the cheapo tester like in this video. I'm going to do the AutoZone loan a tool thing they have and see if they have a better tester and I get better results.
I'll post back what I get.
.
Video:

 

[Berdink]

Argh!!!
All the anxiety because of a stupid cheap faulty compression tester.
I borrowed a compression tester from AutoZone and did a cold dry test. It's about 62 degrees out, we are at 650 elevation.
I got a whole lot better numbers.
.
All around 120psi.
120, 119, 121, and 126 PSI

 

[Berdink]

Yes, I should have done a compression test before buying, but then again, my cheapo tester may have influenced my decision to purchase. But because it start right up cold and ran so nice and was so clean in appearance, I went for it - and the price was good.

 

[redneck joe]

go buy a lottery ticket

 

[Berdink]

I know...!

 

[redneck joe]

I know...!

and split with me because i said it

 

[Berdink]

and split with me because i said it

You know it!