Searching informations about an old outboard motor

R

Rafter

Cadet
Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
16
Howdy, boys & girls!<br /><br />At the start, I would like to say Hello from Maribor, Slovenia (a little country beneath the Alps). And now : directly to my question.<br /><br />Yesterday I got an outboard motor Johnson 4 hp, model 4.BA74R, Serial number B 9898. Man who gave me a motor said that it started normally when he tried to start it for the last time, but it was... someday in nineties, app. 10 years from today.<br /><br />And now: can anybody help me about manuals for that little "maqina"? What's the year of production, maybe anybody knows where could I find any manuals etc... And, of course, what do you think, should I repair it or no? If it will work, it will be fitted on my stylish catamaran (made from two wooden 15-foot canoes), and will be driven on a lake near our town.<br /><br />I will post pics also, but this is my very first post and I'm still a little lost here.<br /><br />Thanks and bye.<br /><br />Rafter
 
P

Paul Moir

Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2002
Messages
6,847
Re: Searching informations about an old outboard motor

Welcome to Iboats, Rafter!<br /><br />That's a 1974 Johnson 4hp built at the Belgian factory you have there. I've got a '72 myself. I believe you have the right angle drive with the propeller shaft running normally like most any other outboard, rather than the one that's angled down. Is that correct?<br /><br />Here's a little information about the 4hp: It's pretty weak compared to some other 4hp engines. Think of it more like a 3hp. Other than that, it is perhaps the very best small outboard ever made. If yours has good compression and it's not falling apart with rust, it's probably worth fixing up.<br /><br />You'll want to service the water pump as a minimum. The 4hp has a grossly over sized water pump compared to other small engines, so it can put up with a lot of neglect. But it's best to at least replace the impeller in it every few seasons even if you don't use it. The rubber looses it's springyness over time.<br /><br />The best manual is the original factory service manual. These can be found on ebay for a fraction of the price kencook.com wants. Use these search terms:<br />(4, 4hp) (evinrude, johnson) manual 1974<br />I don't believe there is any difference between yours and the American & Canadian made 4R74. Hopefully someone who knows for sure can comment.<br /><br />Other than that, there's plenty of good information about those outboards online. Here are a few links.<br />3hp (the 4hp's ancestor) service:<br /> http://outboard-boat-motor-repair.com/Evinrude 3 HP Lightwin Outboard Boat Motor/default.htm <br />Another tuneup:<br />maxrules.com/fixtuneitup.html<br />My incomplete 4hp teardown and reassemble:<br /> http://shareaproject.com/pages/projectThumbs,p,182,00.html <br />I hope that gets you started! Let us know if there's anything you need. :)
 
R

Rafter

Cadet
Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
16
Re: Searching informations about an old outboard motor

And some pics ot that motor:<br /><br />
zY-zZVkuF8qZ6RFvZx-Pp.jpg
<br />
J_SPBGDyLRXCkB3VX89og.jpg
<br />
8KKnAYkbZPKB8WnBpL7Zh.jpg
 
P

Paul Moir

Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2002
Messages
6,847
Re: Searching informations about an old outboard motor

Ah, it is a fair bit different from the 4R74. The built-in fuel tank gravity feeds the engine and the pull start is completely different.
 
R

Rafter

Cadet
Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
16
Re: Searching informations about an old outboard motor

Originally posted by Paul Moir:<br />I hope that gets you started! Let us know if there's anything you need. :)
Click to expand...
Thanks a lot, be sure that I will come back here on that Forum. ;) <br />About right angle: I'm not sure, but now is 1 A.M. here and I will check it tomorrow.<br /><br />Thanks again. R.
 
P

Paul Moir

Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2002
Messages
6,847
Re: Searching informations about an old outboard motor

That's the right angle drive. At those other sites you'll see the "weedless" 110 degree drive which was very popular here. The right angle drive is better suited to your boat.
 
R

Rafter

Cadet
Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
16
Re: Searching informations about an old outboard motor

O, thanks. BTW, I'm impressed about those "Engine tear down" stuff... We are also pretty civilisated country, but I see something like this for the first time... ;)
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Searching informations about an old outboard motor

fantastic little find.
 
X

Xcusme

Commander
Joined
Apr 21, 2003
Messages
2,888
Re: Searching informations about an old outboard motor

Rafter,<br /><br />Tashasdaddy is saying that you are lucky to find such a sweet little motor!<br /><br />I have a 1974 4HP model, and like Pauls '72, they are nice little gems.
 
R

Rafter

Cadet
Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
16
Re: Searching informations about an old outboard motor

Aha.. thanks for the explanation. ;) <br />I just hope that I will make it alive again. :rolleyes:
 
R

Rafter

Cadet
Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
16
Re: Searching informations about an old outboard motor

I have a 1974 4HP model, and like Pauls '72, they are nice little gems.
Click to expand...
BTW, I'm little disappointed that Johnson & Evinrude company doesn't give any informations about their old products on their website... :confused: <br /><br />Can anybody tell me, if models 4BA74R and 4R74 are similar (I mean if only difference is fuel tank at the top) and the mechanic parts are the same? :confused: <br /><br />Thanks, R.
 
S

seahorse5

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jan 24, 2002
Messages
4,698
Re: Searching informations about an old outboard motor

Being a European built motor, the US site does not have much info on the engine, plus it is 32 years old. How much info does General Motors or Ford motos have on their sites for 1974 models?<br /><br />Does the motor have 1 or 2 cylinders as it looks just like the single cylinder 2 hp that was made a few years?<br /><br />I'm sure the motor uses common parts with the US versions so you can get it serviced and technical advice from the experts on this forum.<br /><br />If you can remove the starter and the lower motor cover and take some pics, we can help determine what you have?
 
Chinewalker

Chinewalker

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Aug 19, 2001
Messages
8,902
Re: Searching informations about an old outboard motor

Looks kind of like an amalgamation of the 2hp and 4hp of that era. Probably a European variant of the North American version. The recoil is definitely 2hp variety, and the lower cowling looks similar, but not quite the same as the one that would eventually find it's way onto the N. American 4hp in 1978 or 1979. Definitely an interesting find! I've never seen one quite like it!<br />- Scott
 
R

Rafter

Cadet
Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
16
Re: Searching informations about an old outboard motor

Originally posted by seahorse:<br /> Being a European built motor, the US site does not have much info on the engine, plus it is 32 years old. How much info does General Motors or Ford motos have on their sites for 1974 models?
Click to expand...
I'm not really sure for GM, but Land Rover does... ;) <br /><br />
Originally posted by seahorse:<br />Does the motor have 1 or 2 cylinders as it looks just like the single cylinder 2 hp that was made a few years?
Click to expand...
I'm sure that it has 2 spark plugs - more I'll know when I'll open it. ;) <br /><br />
Originally posted by seahorse:<br />If you can remove the starter and the lower motor cover and take some pics, we can help determine what you have?
Click to expand...
Originally posted by Paul Moir:<br />A couple pictures with the cover off would really help.
Click to expand...
If the weekend will be as our weather-guy said right now (cloudy & rainy), I'll start to work on that Johnnyboy at Saturday. ;) <br /><br />
Originally posted by Chinewalker:<br />Definitely an interesting find! I've never seen one quite like it!<br />- Scott
Click to expand...
Thanks :)
 
P

Paul Moir

Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2002
Messages
6,847
Re: Searching informations about an old outboard motor

Check page 46 of that link. The model number system from that time ('69-'79) was a little different. The only codes I know from it are:<br />B - Belgian<br />R - Rope Start<br />W - Weedless<br />E - Electric Start<br />L - Longshaft (fits a 50cm transom)<br />S - (I don't know this one)<br />A - (I don't know this one either, perhaps Australian?)<br /><br />There's a bunch of less popular engines missing from the BRP catalog.
 
R

Rafter

Cadet
Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
16
Re: Searching informations about an old outboard motor

Originally posted by Rafter:<br /> Searching for more. :cool:
Click to expand...
I started to tear that motor to the pieces and first thing I found up is that mechanic parts are probably totally similar like 4R74R or 4W74R. First problem I found up is that I will need a new gasket on exhaust cover plate, which is totally similar like on those two models I mentioned.<br /><br />Look, piece number 19 on that picture:<br />
convert
<br /><br />I took plenty of pics while I was working and I will publish them later.<br /><br />Bye, Uros
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top