New to outboards, need help

[pat72]

hi,
I bought yesterday a used boat that has a 1985 Johnson. I manually lowered the engine to it's vertical position but can't get it back up. Don't see a lever or anything to unlock it. Any advice would be great. I never work on this type of engine before and any tips on where to start are welcomed. Would like to buy a manual but can't figure out how many HP this thing has.
see the picture.
Thanks

 

[HighTrim]

Re: New to outboards, need help

Welcome to iboats.

Start by looking at the "leg" for a 1x2 square. There should be a model number on it. Let us know what it is and we can figure out a year and hp for you.

Regarding the tnt issue, start by checking the fluid level in the resevoir. It will have a large slotted screw on the top front of the resevoir for filling. Top it up, cycle a few times, then top it up again, cycle, etc... until you can no longer fill it.

Does it make any sounds while trimming up? Or just silence?

 

[pat72]

Re: New to outboards, need help

Thanks for the quick reply HighTrim. I'll work on it tomorrow morning since I had to park the boat by a friend's house until I can clear my garage. Was just trying to figure out a few things ahead of time. I'll look for the 1x2 square at the leg.

 

[d.boat]

Re: New to outboards, need help

One thing that I've done when I bought old used engines is to find a copy of the original owner's manual - and maybe the factory service manual if you're interested in doing more mechanical work. The owner's manual will give you info you need to operate and maintain and is very handy to have. Look at outboardbooks.com

 

[pat72]

Re: New to outboards, need help

@HighTrim. thanks for the tip. I found the plate you mentioned. The model# is 85ESL-72R. Johnson 85hp 1972
@ d.boat. thanks for the link. I think I'll definitly need the manual soon.
Do you guys know the name of the part that connects the engine to the steering actuator. It is shaped like a fork and bolted on each side on the engine. That thing is heavily corroded and it looks like I'm going to have to replace it. Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems like I'll have to take the whole engine off in order to be able to replace the part as it is located below the engine.
I also found what looks like a switch that has a missing wire (see right red circle). No clue what it's for. Also 2 wires hanging loose (left red circle). I think I am going to have to buy the wiring diagram...

 

[pat72]

Re: New to outboards, need help

I forgot the most important question. Since I lowered the engine manually, I can't get it back up. It doesn't look like it's a powered tnt so why can't I just tilt it back to it's horizontal position manually. I looked around for locking tabs and except for two small tabs that used to keep it in it's up position, I can't find the reason why it is now impossible to move the damn thing. It's really a pain to move the trailer around when I need to work on the engine because of the low clearance leg/ground. Any idea how to manually tilt it back up? thanks again.

 

[d.boat]

Re: New to outboards, need help

...Do you guys know the name of the part that connects the engine to the steering actuator. It is shaped like a fork and bolted on each side on the engine. That thing is heavily corroded and it looks like I'm going to have to replace it. Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems like I'll have to take the whole engine off in order to be able to replace the part as it is located below the engine. ...

post a pic of what you're talking about.

 

[The Hammer]

Re: New to outboards, need help

I don't have Johnson but mine and others I seen there should be a lever on the front of the motor to lock or unlock sometimes there small and inconspicuous.

 

[pat72]

Re: New to outboards, need help

a similar piece is bolted on the other side of the engine.

 

[bankerjohn]

Re: New to outboards, need help

See if this parts diagram helps ....

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/BRP/JOHNSON/1972/85ESL72R 1972/EXHAUST HOUSING/parts.html

 

[pat72]

Re: New to outboards, need help

Excellent! Exactly what I was looking for. It's number 53. Thanks a lot. looks like I have so work ahead of me to replace that...

 

[pat72]

Re: New to outboards, need help

Houston we have a problem! Does OBSOLETE mean that I won't be able to find a replacement part?

 

[jasper60103]

Re: New to outboards, need help

Houston we have a problem! Does OBSOLETE mean that I won't be able to find a replacement part?

Salvage yards...

Here's the list:
sea-way.com
outboard-parts.com
laingsoutboards.com
tcoutboard.com
fairwindsmarina.com
salvagemarine.com
marinepartsoutlet.com
outboardexchange.com
Superior Marine (800-338-9281)
budgetboats.net
americanoutboard.com
piratemarinesalvage.com
trixieslanding.com
mmmarinesalvage.com
tcoutboards.com
Tim's outboard 218-682-2331

 

[pat72]

Re: New to outboards, need help

THanks. hopefully they have what I need. If not, it's game over for me as far as this engine is concerned.

 

[The Hammer]

Re: New to outboards, need help

@HighTrim. thanks for the tip. I found the plate you mentioned. The model# is 85ESL-72R. Johnson 85hp 1972
@ d.boat. thanks for the link. I think I'll definitly need the manual soon.
Do you guys know the name of the part that connects the engine to the steering actuator. It is shaped like a fork and bolted on each side on the engine. That thing is heavily corroded and it looks like I'm going to have to replace it. Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems like I'll have to take the whole engine off in order to be able to replace the part as it is located below the engine.
I also found what looks like a switch that has a missing wire (see right red circle). No clue what it's for. Also 2 wires hanging loose (left red circle). I think I am going to have to buy the wiring diagram...

Penetrating oil, wire brush, dremel tools, Hammer tap lightly, do you really need to take it apart, is it broken or cracked?

 

[Sixmark]

Re: New to outboards, need help

Obsolete parts from the manufacturer doesn't always mean you can't get them, you can sometime use the OEM part # and search for it online and a vendor may have some NOS stuff, or you can also try a parts interchange and may find it's available aftermarket.

 

[pat72]

Re: New to outboards, need help

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/BRP/JOHNSON/1972/85ESL72R 1972/EXHAUST HOUSING/parts.html

part #53 (steering assy) will have to be replaced, and if I can't find a used one (discontinued by manuf.) I'll have to bring it to someone who could weld re-enforcement pieces on each arm.
The starter is shot and the one I got from Ebay yesterday fits perfectly just like the old one...except, of course, for the gear which is smaller in diameter and doesn't reach the flywheel teeths (I did take the time to make sure that the Ebay seller had the one for my engine model). I going to try to return it unless you guys know a marine starter rebuild shop where I could have them change the gear to the right size and save myself some time.
Also I found out why I couldn't tilt the engine. The bolt (part# 16) which goes through 23, 1 and 24 is completely frozen with 23 and 24. I tried everything I could to get that bolt out so I could clean and grease it but nothing. It's like 16,23 &24 are welded together. I also had to cut each shock absorber arm which were also "welded" to a heavily corroded pivot pin (50) which had also to be cut off hoping that I could punch it out (not happening either).
So at the end of the day, nothing got done except putting the engine on a lift and cutting corroded metal.
I purchased the boat (fishing type) and engine for $550. The boat is not bad at all, good hull etc. however, I am starting to wonder if it is worth spending money to get the engine back and running. I heard from a guy in a boat shop that "those old engine run forever". Probably, but at this point in time I need a few parts and finding out that a few are discontinued by the manufct. This is starting to worry me a little.
So my question to you guys is the following: Do you think it would be wiser to save maybe around $700 and get another used engine which would be a little more recent (parts available) or would that money better spent buying new parts for the old one I have (Johnson 1972 85HP)? I don't mind rebuilding this one slowly but with more and more obsolete parts for this 1972 dinosaur, am I pouring money into a hole that will get bigger and bigger as the parts will become more scarce?
Very much appreciate your advice or comments. Thanks

 

[pat72]

Re: New to outboards, need help

Is 85, 91,93,93 psi compression on a Johnson 1972 / 85HP too low or does it have still a few years before major overall? thanks

 

[The Hammer]

Re: New to outboards, need help

Why is this thing so badly corroded was it in salt water? Have you had it running at all? Sounds like a lot of grief right now.

 

[VI-Doug]

Re: New to outboards, need help

I had a '69 of the same size that looked just like that. Engine ran great once I got the ignition points to break properly. Beware of the electric shift solenoids. My lower unit had an issue where reverse slipped so badly you couldn't use it. I really miss the simplicity of these motors. Now I have twin V6's with 6 carbs each and a VRO system!

So, does this thing run?