Questions about 1974 Johnson 85 hp (outboard newbie - please help!)

TrueNorthist

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 16, 2012
Messages
229
Re: Questions about 1974 Johnson 85 hp (outboard newbie - please help!)

I got back in! lol You will find that manual to be worth every penny and then some. But by all means head back here if you hit a wall. I figger you'll enjoy that motor for many, many years. Smooth and quiet and easy to fix. I have been keeping an eye out for one for a while now. Just one eye mind you. The other has to watch the wife's credit card statements very carefully. ;)
 

Pmccraney

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
1,734
Re: Questions about 1974 Johnson 85 hp (outboard newbie - please help!)

Sounds like you got a great 'ol engine! Now to take care of it......

The milky oil is from water intrusion. Time to drop the lower unit and replace the seals. As long as you're there, replace the impeller, it is way past due.......The manual is a good start, anything else is right here on iboats.......

Good Luck!


<<)))(((>>

Circling back to this thread for a quick follow up on the above... Since posting this original thread, I have been trying to educate myself as much as possible... In reading the shop manual, and a couple of books on outboards, I certainly agree with the comment above about needing to replace the seals. However, most of what I have read indicates that seal replacement on the lower unit requires specialized tools and is not for the novice... When I drop the lower unit for the impeller/pump replacement, should I just take into the local shop and tell them to replace the seals and I will do the rest? Thoughts? Thanks!
 

durban

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 27, 2011
Messages
894
Re: Questions about 1974 Johnson 85 hp (outboard newbie - please help!)

A while back i asked an ederly guy who is a outboard mechnic wich is the best motor made in the johnsons from begining 1970 up to date, his reply was the 1974\6 85hp johnson . how true this is i dont know .
 

mark1961

Ensign
Joined
Apr 30, 2007
Messages
940
Re: Questions about 1974 Johnson 85 hp (outboard newbie - please help!)

Alot will depend on exactly which seal is the culprit Patrick.....a pressure test on the LU (explained in your manual) will expose the leak. If it ends up being in the driveshaft or propshaft area you may feel more at ease taking it to a reputable shop......anywhere else is an easy fix. Just wondering if you changed out the drain/vent plug gaskets when you replaced the gear oil......have you checked the condition of the oil again lately......problem may already be fixed?
 

Pmccraney

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
1,734
Re: Questions about 1974 Johnson 85 hp (outboard newbie - please help!)

Hey guys: Thanks for the feedback and help thus far... So, the journey continues with me still getting to know my motor better as part of my boat restore project....

In anticipation of carb cleaning, I yanked the two carbs off and, to my surprise, only caused some mild destruction in the process: (1) I broke (rather, ripped/tore) the little rubber drain tube connecting the air silencer base to the intake manifold (looks standard issue; hope I can get another one), and (2) I sort of mangled the spring that attaches to the choke solenoid plunger that you see in the pics... I am pretty much an idiot, but couldn't figure how to get it off without completely destroying, so it is still dangling there... The other spring (below the plunger) stayed down in the solenoid and did not come out with it...

Carbsremoved_2_10_13.jpg


I have the shop manuals and some videos to follow on the carb clean. Any guidance on the spring and the drain tube (discard? replacement? etc...) would be appreciated...

Thanks again!~
 

rrumba

Ensign
Joined
May 31, 2011
Messages
901
Re: Questions about 1974 Johnson 85 hp (outboard newbie - please help!)

Hey PMC, i have a guy right around the corner from me that has a bunch of outboards, kinda like an outboard junkyard. I will go by and see if he has that spring. what other parts do you need me to see if he has? by the way i went by and met G
 

TrueNorthist

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 16, 2012
Messages
229
Re: Questions about 1974 Johnson 85 hp (outboard newbie - please help!)

Don't fret about a few bits getting mangled. The pros do it all the time, but having a parts room really helps there. If the fella above can track a few used parts, bonus! But new will still be readily available. I'd replace that line as it is old anyway. You should replace all the lines regardless for the same reason, age. Just keep yer carb parts laid out neat and lay them on paper, not fabric, to eliminate any fibres that may get stuck to parts. Also, do not force anything! If it won't go easy look for why. Aluminum and brass will strip easily.
 

Pmccraney

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
1,734
Re: Questions about 1974 Johnson 85 hp (outboard newbie - please help!)

Thanks Roger and TN - good input/advice. I looked at the marinengine.com and seawaymarine.com, and that little spring (part no. 41 in the diagram) is NLA - you have to order an entire new choke plunger assembly, which cost 41.00. So, Roger, if you see one of those springs in good shape, snatch it up for me. The drain hose I tore is part no. 38 in the diagram - marineengine.com doesn't have this and seaway has a "call us" note by this part... So, keep your eyes peeled for that too...

OEM Parts

I disassembled the lower carb last night, and it looked surprisingly clean in there...
 

rrumba

Ensign
Joined
May 31, 2011
Messages
901
Re: Questions about 1974 Johnson 85 hp (outboard newbie - please help!)

I will try and swing by there this week for you sir. you should make sure you remove all parts, jets, covers everything and shoot carb cleaner through every orifice you can. I usually shoot some air through after that as well. Do not use a wire brush or abrasives inside as there is a special coating on there.

For the hose, check what the inside diameter is and get some from autozone or napa. if it was fuel use fuel line, if air use air line/emission line.
 

TrueNorthist

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 16, 2012
Messages
229
Re: Questions about 1974 Johnson 85 hp (outboard newbie - please help!)

BTW, did you ever trace the source of the water intrusion in the LU?
 

Pmccraney

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
1,734
Re: Questions about 1974 Johnson 85 hp (outboard newbie - please help!)

BTW, did you ever trace the source of the water intrusion in the LU?

Not yet... I am about to drop the LU to replace the water pump/impeller. When I do I am going to do a pressure test and see if any seals are bad... Hoping for the best. Will let you know.
 

Pmccraney

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
1,734
Re: Questions about 1974 Johnson 85 hp (outboard newbie - please help!)

Okay:
For those of you have been following along since the beginning, the moment of truth came this past weekend. I drained the lower unit gear oil (that had only been used once) and it was milky white...

I dropped the lower unit... So, do you guys thinks its time for a new impeller, or what??? :eek::eek:

IMG_1951.jpg


I also rigged up a pressure test to try and see if I could get any insight into whether I have a seal problem. The below video (you just click on the picture) shows you what I was seeing... I would really appreciate you guys taking a couple of minutes to watch this and let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

 
Joined
Mar 3, 2013
Messages
2
Re: Questions about 1974 Johnson 85 hp (outboard newbie - please help!)

#1 This is my Very First Post here!.. #2 GOOD SCORE!!!, i GOT A '76 85 ON MY '72 WELLCRAFT V17 FISERMAN, My First boat!! and it looks New under the hood!
Some real pro overhauled it recently, u can HEAR the new impeller squak n squeek while ATTEMPTING to turn it over by hand but u have to wait tilll compression eases by the rings 4 times to hand turn the fly one rev.!!! New fuel lins , new looking carbs New wiring New terminals New plugs ....I almost fainted when i saw under the hood the first time!
I saw it sittin in front of a shop in Medina (TEXAS) everyday while i was painting on a house out there, so one day i finally asked about it n the guy said 1500.00$ I almost threw my wallet at him! when he said its been sittin for about a year i woinderd about the carbs but he said they pulled the fule line of the cowling n ran it till i died draingin the fuel sys. he put a battery on it and pumped ti up hard and it didnt turn over 4 times ....VROOOOOOMM BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA, VROOOOOOM VROOOOM PUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR... ; )! THEN I COULDNT HOLD BACK N DID THE HAPPY DANCE RIGHT THERE ON THE BOAT IN FRON OF GOD AND EVERYONE ELSE!
Its got Balls! pulls me up on a slolom ski with 3 ppl in the boat!~! but it has The Original Starter ;(,,which i prompt ly burnt out learning how not to flood it while starting ,,,, N I know Better,, cuz I grew p Skiing behind an identicl one on my daddys Manatee 16'. And Ive done my time in his Mercedes/Volvo Repair shop. now i fix all my friends stuff. So im a little self disgusted that i now need a 180$ starter. :( Its Identicl to yours ...Down to the Black Whale Tail!, wierd green paint.
KEEP IT!!!!! FIX IT UP!!!! Youll Be Forever Pleased!
 

TrueNorthist

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 16, 2012
Messages
229
Re: Questions about 1974 Johnson 85 hp (outboard newbie - please help!)

You didn't change the impeller right away after buying the motor? I would have. Looks like you were lucky you didn't bake the powerhead as there were a couple of legs still pumping. I'd do the housing as well by the look of it. re the shifter seal I will leave that to someone that has done that particular motor, but I have done others with no real trouble. Just be sure to do the seal under the waterpump as well. Also inspect the shifter shaft and the drive shaft for scoring/damage.

Edit: I see that the shifter cover and seal are an assembly and are unavailable through marine engine.com, but hunt around. You might find one at a different vendor or a used one from yer pal.
 

Pmccraney

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
1,734
Re: Questions about 1974 Johnson 85 hp (outboard newbie - please help!)

#1 This is my Very First Post here!.. #2 GOOD SCORE!!!,!

Wellcraft, welcome to iboats and I'm honored that you landed here for your very first post... I continue to get good feedback on this motor, so I'm hoping I can use her for many seasons to come... I bought a CMC Tilt and Trim, so I'm excited to have that added functionality and will be installing that soon!!!

You didn't change the impeller right away after buying the motor? .

TN, you are the man - I appreciate you always stopping by to help. Yeah, I really only ran the motor to test it out before I bought the boat. I was 6 hours away from home and didn't really have the tools or set-up to drop the lower unit (plus, the seller would have probably gotten uneasy had I done more than drain his gear oil and check the compression).... You are right, though - lesson learned...

Good news is that I took the lower unit into my local shop this a.m. They are super busy right now, so I was expecting to leave the unit there for a couple of weeks. I told him what the issue was and he asked me to hang out for a little while. He threw it on the vice, confirmed that I had a bad "o ring" on the shift mechanism, but the other seals were fine. 15 minutes (and 49 bucks) later, I was on my way with leak resolved; new drain-fill plugs and gaskets and a fresh gear oil in the box to boot...

3_5_13_lowerunitshopservice.jpg


Even though it was overpriced, I gladly bought a water pump kit from him as a gesture for the good service, so I'll be replacing that next with new impeller, etc...
 

classiccat

"Captain" + Starmada Splash Of The Year 2020
Joined
Dec 20, 2010
Messages
3,412
Re: Questions about 1974 Johnson 85 hp (outboard newbie - please help!)

nice job locating the leak!

I think $50 for the reseal was reasonable. A seal kit alone would cost almost that much and you didn't have to purchase and/or fabricate any special tools. In addition, it looks like he allowed you to look over his shoulder and learn a few things!

just trying to help you overcome any buyer's remorse" that you may have :lol:
 

classiccat

"Captain" + Starmada Splash Of The Year 2020
Joined
Dec 20, 2010
Messages
3,412
Re: Questions about 1974 Johnson 85 hp (outboard newbie - please help!)

on another note, were you able to locate all of the impeller pieces? hopefully none found their way up into the powerhead.
 

Pmccraney

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
1,734
Re: Questions about 1974 Johnson 85 hp (outboard newbie - please help!)

on another note, were you able to locate all of the impeller pieces? hopefully none found their way up into the powerhead.

Thanks Blue Fin - yeah, the larger piece was still lodged in there (you can see it in the picture - it had moved over to the next "cavity" to the right... The smaller piece (lower left) is M.I.A. so I am going to do a little investigating there...
 

TrueNorthist

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 16, 2012
Messages
229
Re: Questions about 1974 Johnson 85 hp (outboard newbie - please help!)

That is very satisfactory! I wasn't sure if that unit used an o-ring or not and didn't want to get yer hopes up too much. :D But I had a feeling it would be real easy. You were indeed wise to buy the waterpump kit from them. Judging by the service they gave you I think you will have many more good dealings there. I personally have no trouble spending a bit more to support folks that do good by me. You get it all back in spades eventually. It also was a very good thing to have had the lower unit simply handled by a tech. He would likely have noticed anything that needed attention so you can rest easy on that front now. Nice work!
 
Top