good choice?

[ChrisO]

i have a 1979 16' tracker bass boat had a matching year 40 hp merc which has recently blown a cylinder. I am looking at replacing it with a 1965 johnson 40 hp a friend has for $350 it runs good has equal compression on both cylinders but i am cautious since i have never owned a johnson and not to mention it is older than i am. Does anyone have any helpful info on this moter (good or bad) to assist in my decission making process?

Thanks
Chris

 

[JB]

Re: good choice?

It was a good engine. Heavy and thirsty for a 40 but reliable as a wheelbarrow.

 

[steelespike]

Re: good choice?

What JB said.The basic design goes back to the real early 1950s and it was run at least into the 1980s with some modifications.Routine parts back to the 50s are still readily available right here on iboats.
And to top it off they are easy to work on. We used to do a lot with a crescent wrench,pliers and a screw driver.

 

[ChrisO]

Re: good choice?

well from the sound of it that isn't the right outboard for my application since the 79 40 hp only plained the boat off good it is rated for up to a 75 and i now have my eyes set on a 1975 merc model 650 (65hp) thatks for the advice

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: good choice?

I challenge the heavy comment. Just looks heavy.
'79 merc 40hp (electric) - 152lbs
'02 Merc 40hp EFI 4 stroke (electric) - 216lbs (unfair comparison)
'02 Merc 40hp 2-stroke (electric) - 176lbs
'05 Evinrude ETEC 40hp (electric) - 230lbs (totally unfair comparison!)
'95 Evinrude 2-stoke (electric) - 185lbs

'65 Johnson 40hp (electric) - 145lbs

Steering may be an issue if you've got it set up with remotes since it doesn't hook up like your '79, but it can be overcome. Not cheaply though, figure about $150. I take it this is a manual shift model is it?

I'm also assuming that your old 40hp was the 2 cylinder one, not the 4 cylinder 40 is that correct? If it is the 4 cylinder version, I suggest you move to a little more horsepower.