JohnnyRude 85hp? 115hp?

[jay_merrill]

Darned if my outboard motor jones didn't get the best of me this morning. Saw an ad for a 85hp ERude for 100 bucks, talked to the seller on the phone, looked at it and bought it.

The data plate says its a '73 Johnson 135 (135ESL73M), but its not. Its hydro-mechanical shift, so its at least a '73, the hood is a Starflight 85, but the paint color on everything suggests Johnson. The exhaust cover is flat, so its not a 135 (they had the bubble-back), so it could be an 85 and it could be a 115. The ignition system is magneto CD, with a single powerpack and four ignition coils, so I'm thinking the powerhead is a '73 through '77. I'm going to try to find a serial number on the powerhead in a couple of days (rain here tomorrow) and might be able to get an exact readout on year/model from that.

I didn't get too wrapped up in doing a compression test, checking the gear oil, etc., because I got the motor, a home made stand, the control unit, cables and a complete steering system for the $100. Even if the motor isn't a candidate for refurbishment, I could certainly part it out for more than what I paid for it.

Anyone have any words of wisdom on a '73 - '77, 85 or 115hp motor? Any special considerations to take into account?



???

 

[crb478]

Re: JohnnyRude 85hp? 115hp?

It is a pretty basic cross flow design. After you check and verify compression you may want to clean all of the grounds or even add a few jumpers since these motors are prone to grounding problems. Other than that it is pretty much just like a later model cross flow. Did you happen to get the tilt and trim with it? If so and it works you really did score. Those typically sell for 4-500 by themselves.

 

[ezeke]

Re: JohnnyRude 85hp? 115hp?

The 85 in the series has a smaller piston & displacement than the 115 and 135: 3-3/8 & 92.6 vs 3.5 & 99.6.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: JohnnyRude 85hp? 115hp?

No T&T - its a manual tilt model. If the motor turns out to be worth fooling with, I will fix whatever needs to be fixed and might go on a hunt for T&T parts later.



???

 

[ezmobee]

Re: JohnnyRude 85hp? 115hp?

might go on a hunt for T&T parts later.

Good luck with that The pre-'78 units are tough to find.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: JohnnyRude 85hp? 115hp?

I think you are right. My '72 65hp Johnson doesn't have T&T either and I've only seen a couple of units for it. I don't need T&T that bad, so I don't worry about it. I suspect I'll fall into the same mode with this engine, but it never hurts to keep an eye out.



???

 

[ezeke]

Re: JohnnyRude 85hp? 115hp?

The 1973 models did not have the tilt-assist shocks #386756 like the later manual tilt models in the series, but you can add them if you can find some - they make raising the motor a lot easier if you can find them.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: JohnnyRude 85hp? 115hp?

Good tip - thanks!

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: JohnnyRude 85hp? 115hp?

What information is on the casting plug on the top of the block? That should tell you what the powerhead is. Ezeke is correct the early 85 and 100 hp engines were smaller displacement than the 115/135 engines. I ran a small bore 1972 100 hp for years and got great service out of it.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: JohnnyRude 85hp? 115hp?

Nice find Jay. I seen a earlier 60hp on Craigslist for $100 last week. If the compression is good, then I would say it's a keeper. Nothing else, you can always re-sell it and get at least 4 times your money back