1970's 85hp Johnson outboard

[rrt2b2010]

I recently bought a 19 ft maxum bowrider with an 85 force. the motor blew within 30 minutes.. I am now looking at possibly buying a 1970's johnson 85 hp for $500.. that includes control cables and steering cables.. My question is... the guy says that is it hitting around 120 - 121 on all 4 cylinders is this good compression for this motor? and what else should I look for when inspecting this engine? does it have a tell tail? how can I tell if it is pumping water or not? Any advice I you can give would be great.. I dont want to make a bad purchase again... I have no experience with boat motors.. I am not sure of the exact year of the motor... I am going to look at it on Friday

 

[rockyrude]

Re: 1970's 85hp Johnson outboard

"The "70's" is a big range on motors, early without VRO later with VRO , each has its own qualities. The compression numbers are good for that motor, just verify them for yourself by doing your own compression check. If the motor has sat for any length of time the impeller is probably shot anyhow, it may not pump water right now. Be sure to have the seller run the motor (on muffs or in the water) before you put any money down.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1970's 85hp Johnson outboard

That engine may have been built before the telltale came out (on the 78 models.) If you hold your hand behind the exhaust relief ports at the top of the midsection, then start the engine cold-after a minute or so, the thermostat (vernatherm) will open. When it opens water droplets will form on the palm of your hand. You know the pump and thermostat are working. Those early 70's engines were electric shift. Up through 1972. They work fine, but if you have problems with them, they are hard to get parts for. Maybe hard to find someone to work on those lower unts.

 

[rrt2b2010]

Re: 1970's 85hp Johnson outboard

I paid $1800 for the boat and motor.. now the motor is toast.. Any suggestions as to what I should do now? Do I keep the boat and wait until I can repower it? I had plans on removing oxidation from the hull, new interior and floor repair.. Do I continue to work on these side projects to keep my sanity? I am really heart broken about this but it was my first boat purchase and I needed to learn this lesson (I guess) now I will be better educated on future purchases.. But will say buffing the exterior and removing oxidation help keep my sanity or should I scrap the boat and take it as an $1800 loss..??? Suggestions please

 

[boobie]

Re: 1970's 85hp Johnson outboard

What was wrong with the mtr??

 

[rockyrude]

Re: 1970's 85hp Johnson outboard

I'm with boobie, what happened with the original motor? What happened with the johnson you were looking at?

 

[coolbri70]

Re: 1970's 85hp Johnson outboard

unless your motor has broken block or crank it is not toast, blowed, shot or any such, it can be fixed by someone who wants to work on it, if nothing else its no loss at this point to open it up your self and see why its toast, might be able to untoast it

 

[rrt2b2010]

Re: 1970's 85hp Johnson outboard

Well.. my buddy is a certified mercury mechanic and he advised me to not purchase the 85hp johnson because he has not seen my boat yet.. he is worried that the motor might not fit my hull.. if its a short shaft and I need a long shaft.. and my boat is at the mechanic right now so I can recall if the motor is short or long. He said that my tilt and trim may not fit the johnson and the guages on my console may not be compatable with the johnson motor. my boat is a 1989 maxum 18ft run about.. I would love to purchase the 85 hp johnson for $500 and have my boat back on the water.. the mechanic looking at my motor now said that 2 of the cylinders are toast and the other cylinder is marginal. the numbers are on the invoice that I dont have yet. I am really stuck on what to do.. $500 is great to get that motor.. but if I have to buy another tilt trim unit it would not be worth it... ...

 

[rrt2b2010]

Re: 1970's 85hp Johnson outboard

The 85 Hp force was not peeing when I took it out but I was told they dont pee much... but then 2 cylinders blow within 30 minutes.. The motor never got to hot to touch but something went wrong because it is blown.. If I overheated it what would I need to replace on it? and how much $$ you think its gonna cost to rebuild... sounds like I may need a water pump as well or impeller..

 

[boobie]

Re: 1970's 85hp Johnson outboard

If you really like the boat and it's good and solid you still may want to look at that Johnson or maybe something else.