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  1. K

    Cooling system assembled properly? Johnson 85hp 74

    The old mounting plate came off in pieces (seized/corroded/stripped bolts, all four), and everything just kind of popped out at once- now not totally sure if I have her back together correctly. According to the parts schematic online, the pressure valve goes in FRONT of the mount plate-...
  2. K

    Vernatherm working correctly? Tested on stove top, inconclusive results.

    I am familiar with thermostat actuation, but Vernatherm elements are more mysterious to me. When I tested my Verna on the stove today, the piston extended fine, but would then only go back down by merit of moderate to heavy pressure. Is this normal? I realize the Verna valve is spring-loaded...
  3. K

    Pressure valve stuck? Water flow issues, 74 Johnson 85hp

    Took the boat out today for first time after impeller installation. I installed a 'tell tube' in the upper side of the right head, and water seemed to flow fine to the heads at idle with cuffs. Also, the vernatherm element seems to be opening its valve since water sprays from the two holes on...
  4. K

    Johnson 85esl74b 85hp Thermostat/water pump question

    Got my boat back from the shop a few weeks ago and have been working to figure out an evident cooling system problem since (on their instruction). SO, I have installed a new impeller, which I don't think was the problem. So that's covered. Additionally, the boat has a completely new pump kit...
  5. K

    Johnson 85esl74b 85hp Thermostat broken, overheating. BUT thermo cover stuck, bad.

    My engine hasn't been pumping water correctly. Impeller works fine (just installed a new one), and it is definitely a thermo problem- actually this engine model uses a Vernatherm valve. Thing is, there is NO way the thermo housing is coming off, and no access to the verma element or valve. Its...
  6. K

    Water pump OR thermostat problem? 1974 Johnson 85HP Javelin

    Took the motor into the shop yesterday with a starting problem. Called me back today claiming the engine started right up and idled fine, however once it heated up water quit flowing from the indicator hole and the engine became very hot very fast. This was puzzling to me since I installed an...
  7. K

    Mercruiser alpha one gen 2 upper unit won't come out- need to replace gimble bearing

    Gimbal bearing seems to have gone bad, boot needs to come off. Boat is in forward gear (and I have tried in reverse gear also), all bolts are out, trim rams are off. The upper unit easily breaks away from the gimbal housing at the flange (correct my terminology if wrong), but will ony pull away...
  8. K

    Timing?? Installed new throttle cable in 85hp '74 Johnson 85- now won't start.

    So I think I might have gummed up the timing on my motor, or maybe the idle throttle- I don't know. Three days ago she started up without any trouble, and ran like a top. Compression is perfect, solid spark on all four. What happened was I was having trouble getting the throttle up to wide...
  9. K

    Open-air spark tester arc length for Johnson 85hp 1974?

    Getting ready to test compression and spark on my new, used, engine tomorrow. How far should the arc be able to jump on an open-air tester? Thanks
  10. K

    Shift lever pivot screw size? 1974 Johnson 85hp manual shift 85esL74b model.

    Having some trouble finding the shifter pivot screw for my 85 Johnson- thinking about making my own. Does anyone know what size and thread pitch the pivot screw for this model? Thanks
  11. K

    How important is the exhaust housing/gearcase (exhaust) seal? 85hp 74 Johnson v4.

    Just got a new motor, didn't include the exhaust seal. How important is it that the seal be in place? Seems to me that I would just end up with a small exhaust leak above the boot, which doesn't seem so bad. Then again... What do you think? Thanks
  12. K

    Wiring a kill/ignition switch into wiring harness, 1874 85 Johnson.. will this work??

    Here's the thing, I bought an engine with no key. The key switch key number is rubbed off long gone, so I've been using an old key that fits the keyswitch but isn't cut for it, which means a lot of jiggling and wiggling to get the key to turn (very time consuming). SO, my plan is to simply leave...
  13. K

    Shut-off valve in fuel line: does it work w/o causing problems?

    Thinking about installing a valve in my fuel line on my 85hp Johnson outboard. It's a standard line feeding standard carbs. It would be nice to have a convenient way to switch off gas flow at the dock and run my carbs dry (without having to unhook the main plug and wear out the seal). The...
  14. K

    Key type for '74 Johnson 85 V4 85ESL74B?

    Just bought a replacement motor and it didn't come with a key, so I'm not sure what type I need. The metallic retaining nut on the switch indicates KF series, but the motor year indicates 73 pistol grip series. Additionally, I can find zero indication what number I need, if there was a key...
  15. K

    Lower unit bolt sizes?? Johnson 85hp 1974 85ESL74

    Trying to find out what size bolts I need to replace the trim tab bolt, and the larger bolt immediately in front of it (toward transom). Just purchased motor, didn't include these bolts. I have the four main mounting bolts. Thank you
  16. K

    Low power output, racing/dying idle, Evinrude 50hp 72 50273c

    Alright, just got back from first test run with new/correct carbs. She did better (top speed 11mph, hard starting, prior) but still seems substantially under-powered, making only about 18 mph at WOT. Seems a 50hp should push a 15 ft boat a little faster, I was hoping for about 30. Started right...
  17. K

    Spark plug gap? Evinrude 72 50hp Lark, 50273C

    As I do research, I'm getting mixed signals on the proper plug gap for this model. I'm running QL77JC4s, and have read that both .03 and .04 are correct. I've also read that .03 generally applies to later models and .04 for earlier Evinrudes, like my 72. However, I have encountered the .03...
  18. K

    Years of work, engine won't run. Running out of options and about ready to sell.

    Re: Years of work, engine won't run. Running out of options and about ready to sell. Not quite mine I think. My carb has an orifice plug over a calibrated brass hole instead of a needle valve, #30. The high speed valve is also fixed. Gap is .030, but the plugs actually look a bit fouled...
  19. K

    Years of work, engine won't run. Running out of options and about ready to sell.

    50hp Evinrude '72 Lark, 50273c. I've been working on the damned engine for years and it just refuses to run right (or maybe I refuse to fix it right, anyway..). The previous signs were low power output, poor fuel economy, and intermittent hard starting. Recently I discovered a crack in the...
  20. K

    Rebuilt carbs- new reed valves, new gaskets, etc. boat started hard, a little worried

    Just put my carbs and reed valves back on my 72 Evinrude 50hp Lark, along with all new gaskets. Everything seems tight as a drum. Carbs are spotless and floats have be set. After putting the assembly back together I tried firing her up and it simply would not start. I figured maybe I had...
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