My Johnson is Dead. UPDATE! and many questions, w/photos

[spike440]

Howdy folks,
I have a 1971 Johnson 50 that has been great for years, but I believe it's time to put it down. It developed a problem a few weeks ago that I detemined to be the top carb was not getting fuel.

During my tinkering I was starting the motor for the fourteen billionth time when I heard and saw something fly off the port side of the powerhead.

Turns out one of the starter bolts decided to make a dash for freedom, which would have been fine, but the boss that the bolt was threaded into tagged along.

So now I have a 37 year old outboard that needs the carbs gone through, and the block welded.


I have since located what appears to be a mid seventies Evinrude 85hp outboard. The current owner claims it is either a '75 or '76.

It looks like it's pretty much un-messed with, is clean, and a tell-tale that appears to be factory. I always thought the older OMC outboards didn't have that.

It had power tilt/trim, and it comes with a free boat and trailer!

I guess my question is: What's the skinny on a '75 or '76 Evinrude V-4 85hp outboard? Hydroelectric shift? Super awesome touble free? Or just plain troublesome junk?

I am going next saturday with a battery and some fresh fuel mix and depending what you folks say, and of course if it runs, I may buy it for my old pontoon and scrap the boat. Then again, I may run it and scrap the old 'toon.

You folks helped me a ton when I first bought my 'toon, and gave me years of wet, fishy fun, so I have complete faith in you!

Thanks a bunch!

-Spike

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: My Johnson is Dead. Looking at an Evinrude

Re: My Johnson is Dead. Looking at an Evinrude

What we need is the Model number of that engine. It should be imprinted upon a small plate that is attached to the port transom bracket.

What is that model number?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: My Johnson is Dead. Looking at an Evinrude

Re: My Johnson is Dead. Looking at an Evinrude

or on a quarter size disc on the block.

you can part out the 50 on ebay or craigslist. the starter fits many years. if you have a good lower, it is worth quiet a bit, as the shift solenoids are no longer available.

 

[spike440]

Re: My Johnson is Dead. Looking at an Evinrude

Re: My Johnson is Dead. Looking at an Evinrude

Thanks for the replies! I can't get close to the "new" outboard until next weekend. Wish I would have had my camera yesterday.

As far as the ole Johnson, I might just hang it up in the garage in hopes of a screaming deal on a powerhead some day. The only issue it has is the broken mounting boss.

I will try to get numbers as soon as I can.
Thanks!

-Spike

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: My Johnson is Dead. Looking at an Evinrude

Re: My Johnson is Dead. Looking at an Evinrude

That old engine with the broken starter boss........ Someday when there's nothing else to do, remove the powerhead and strip the accessories from it (carburetor, timer base, electrical components, etc). Install the flywheel and just snug down the nut tightly so that it can be removed without using a puller.

Take that bare powerhead, the electric starter, the starter retaining bolts, and that broken boss, to a reliable machine shop who can heli arc that boss back onto the crankcase. Having the flywheel installed will allow them to install the electric starter and align it to have the proper engagement with the flywheel teeth.

 

[spike440]

Re: My Johnson is Dead. UPDATE! GOT an Evinrude

Re: My Johnson is Dead. UPDATE! GOT an Evinrude

Bit the bullet and bought the Evinrude. After sitting since 2004 it fired right up with minimal effort.

Guy says it doesn't charge, but I'm not so sure since it will run without the battery hooked up.

So school me on this outboard, the good, bad, and ugly. Runs well, strong stream from the telltale, and the power trim/tilt works well.

Anything I should be working on before I put it on the water?

Thanks again!
-Spike

 

[spike440]

Re: My Johnson is Dead. UPDATE! GOT an Evinrude

Re: My Johnson is Dead. UPDATE! GOT an Evinrude

I punched the model number into Yahoo search and now I believe this outboard is a '78 model. Check out the photos and tell me if this is worth going through please.
Thanks,
-Spike

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: My Johnson is Dead. UPDATE! GOT an Evinrude

Re: My Johnson is Dead. UPDATE! GOT an Evinrude

Things I would do:
Change to lower unit oil. Replace the fill screws' o-rings
Change the water pump
Put in new plugs
Go through every electrical connection that is handy to get to (one at a time) and clean them up thoroughly. I spritz them w/ WD-40 afterwards.
De-carb w/ Seafoam to let the neighbors know you have a new engine

 

[captlee]

Re: My Johnson is Dead. UPDATE! and many questions, w/photos

Decent motor, my friends father had one of these that provided many years of service with minimal problems. Only problems he had were the power pack, 2 coils and a fuel pump. Good luck with it.

 

[spike440]

Re: My Johnson is Dead. UPDATE! and many questions, w/photos

Began the process of stripping the new outboard from the boat it is on today. Following the wiring, I ran across this box with what looks like another ignition solenoid. It was mounted up under the bow and a ton of wires ran to it.

I marked everything and snapped photos for future reference, but once I was finished removing it all, I don't think I will need any of it. Can anyone tell me what it might be for?

Thanks!
-Spike

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: My Johnson is Dead. UPDATE! and many questions, w/photos

That's a "UP Mode" solenoid for a PTT unit

 

[spike440]

Re: My Johnson is Dead. UPDATE! and many questions, w/photos

Thanks, but I have no clue what an UP unit is, or what PTT stands for. Do I need this for this outboard to function?
Thanks!

-Spike

 

[mrcj001]

Re: My Johnson is Dead. UPDATE! and many questions, w/photos

Thats the electricals for the power tilt and trim for the outboard.

 

[Okee Jimmy]

Re: My Johnson is Dead. UPDATE! and many questions, w/photos

It sounds like your 50 either spit a rod, or something came between the rod, and crankshaft/crankcase.

Yep, that box is the power tilt and trim electicals. The later models put all that under the motor cover.

The advise on the new motor is right on target especially the de-carboning one. I have found that the V-4 crossflows can build up a lot of carbon under the piston rings, causing them to snag in the port, breaking the piston, ring, and scoring the cylinder walls. So at least once a year, you should thoroughly decarbon your motor, and even consider using a product like ring free mixed with your fuel (cheap insurance).

Since you don't know the history of your new motor, a new water pump would be in order, and if you really want to get fancy, pull the cylinder heads, and replace the deflectors. The deflectors are appx. 2in long rubber hoses inserted in the cylinder block to direct the coolant flow. The problem is that they swell up over time and actually restrict coolant flow. This is just a thought, but anytime I work on a v-4 crossflow with a cooling problem, I always consider this, along with removing the water jacket covers on the cylinder heads, and cleaning out the accumulated crud that seems to gather there. Overheating has killed many an outboard.