88 Johnson 15hp

[Fishboy316]

Hello, this is my 2nd post here. Posted in the Chrysler forum 5 min ago. Am looking at 2 motors. 1 is a Sea King 15 80's era. the other is a 88 Johnson 15. The Sea King runs good and is $200. The Johnson runs but pretty rough and is $400. The guy said he put a new carb on it and thinks it is just out of whack. I was trying to get him to $300 but not looking great. Just looking for opinions on the 2 motors.
Thanks!

 

[fireman57]

Strictly my opinion but JohnnyRudes have been around a long time. You don't see any if very few Chryslers out there. They seem to be an afterthought by the company. Very convoluted engine. Parts are getting harder to find I am sure. The reason that the JohnnyRude forum is bigger than even Merc is because there are so many still around even back to the 40's. Not as many Pre 1980's Mercs and even less Chrylers. They basically were a money pit.

 

[boobie]

Run a compression check on the Johnson.

 

[oldboat1]

Offer him a package deal -- get them both. I've had good luck with Chryslers and in fact had an '80s S.K. 15 (no issues). The '88 Johnson has promise, and seems like it's priced right.

 

[Fishboy316]

Thanks Guys. The Chrysler is a different guy. I think i would rather have the Johnson but the $200 motor that runs is kinda cool! If I can get the guy closer to $300 I will probably go for the Johnson. Am checking out the S.K. tomorrow. If it is not an evil nasty machine may get it also! Got a 61 sears 14' rowboat it could live on. What kind of psi should the Johnson have?
Thanks

 

[Cat nip]

I like them both and parts are available for both. I would take either one over a merc. That said a motor that dont run good and strong when beeing sold is only worth one notch up from bottom dollar. I dont care what the guy says if he tried fixing it himself by throwing a carb at it and it still dont run right he doesn't know what he is doing. Basically if it doesn't run good consider it a non running motor when negotiating a price.

 

[Fishboy316]

Kinda what I thought Cat nip. Do you guys think I will get much more out of the boat with a 15 as opposed to a 8 4s?

 

[hardwater fisherman]

If you are asking about an 8hp four stroke it may be just as heavy as the 15hp. What type of boat? What is the max hp rating?

 

[Fishboy316]

It is as heavy probably heavier. Tohatsu is 85 lbs. That is what is on the boat now. She can't get out of her own way. The boat is a 88 Landau 1448. There is no sticker or plate on it. After some research it looks like a 15hp is what it is rated for. What I was asking about is do you think I will get much more power out of the 15 2s compared to the 8 4s.
Thanks.

 

[RCO]

The two stroke 15 will be a world of difference from a 8 hp four stroke. One other thing to consider is that the 88 Johnson is prop rated horsepower, same as new engines, compared to the older Chrysler which would be crankshaft rated.

 

[Fishboy316]

The Johnson guy said $350. Think that is fair? Gonna look at it this weekend. Does anyone know what psi I should be looking for in the compression test?
BTW: Thanks for the info!

 

[Cat nip]

I have no experience with a 8 hp 4 stroke but i can tell you that a 2000 ish 8 hp 2 stroke evinrude will match if not slightly beat a 88 15 hp rude on the same boat.

 

[Sheetmetald1]

Fishboy where are you located? I own a 1984 sea king and am interested in the one if you pass on it.

 

[Fishboy316]

Annapolis Md. If I can ever hook up with the gent I am pretty sure I am buying it but in the event I don't I will send you the info.

 

[Fishboy316]

Sheetmetal, did you buy that motor?

 

[Fishboy316]

Well I looked at the Johnson tonight. It does not idle at all without playing with the choke. Seems strong above the idle speed. I just don't know if I want to get a puzzle now. Tried to get a compression reading but I think my gauge may be bad. got 76psi on it. Tried it on my Tohatsu and got 90. The Tohatsu only has about 100 hrs on it max. It does have a new carb on it so maybe is just an adjustment. Going to go look at a 2018 Tohatsu 20HP 4s under 50 hrs. Won't have to worry about that one to much. Haven't decided yet though. A big price difference though. For what the 20 costs I could buy the 15 and have it fixed and have a grand left over.