Late 70's to Late 80's - Worth shopping for?

Berdink

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I go back to AutoZone to return it with my newfound knowledge that some compression testers are bunk. I'm telling the young fella this.
He wasn't interested. 😊
 

Berdink

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Mar 5, 2020
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I'm off to do a forum search.
I know the big red plugs go together. But for the smaller plug there is 5 wires. Blue, Green, and Red - all with a white stripe. I'm thinking those are for the Trim.
But what are the white and black wires for?
The black wire has a white or grey stripe, and the white wire has a brownish tan/gold stripe.
1000018870.jpg
 

Berdink

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Google says:
"On a Johnson/Evinrude outboard, a 5-wire harness featuring green, blue, red, white, and black wires corresponds to your Power Trim/Tilt System inside the control handle."
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I understand the green red and blue being for trim. I just don't see what the black wire and wire is for.
.
There isn't any corresponding plug on the motor that matches that matches the plug coming from the controller. As it is now, the Tilt Trim is a button on the side of the housing.
 

Berdink

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My controls appear to be from an older motor.
 

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Berdink

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Mar 5, 2020
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446
I found what the white wire with the brown stripe is:
"White with Light Brown Stripe: Trim sender (runs to the trim gauge"
 

Berdink

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Mar 5, 2020
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And I found:
"Many older OMC control boxes come with a small accessory wiring harness to supply connections for dash gauges.

Gray: Tachometer signal wire (connects directly to the tachometer "S" terminal).

Purple: Supplies positive 12V to gauge lights and instruments when the key is on.

Black: Ground wire for the gauges"
 

redneck joe

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Mar 18, 2009
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I would recommend starting a new thread on this engine specific. you have four pages of non related stuff. Start fresh.
 

Berdink

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I do want to apologize for being slow on the uptake for best practices for this forum.
.
I'm going to try to follow this Google Ai Answer:
.
"The iboats forum strongly prefers that you create a separate thread for each individual issue.
The moderators and community prefer this structure for a few reasons:
Clearer Troubleshooting: Mixing different issues (e.g., electrical problems and a carburetor issue) in one thread gets confusing very quickly as multiple members try to reply to different problems simultaneously.

Accurate Titles: A separate thread allows you to use a hyper-specific title for that exact problem, which makes it much easier for other users with the same issue to find your thread in search results.
Easier Organization: Moderators often move off-topic questions or separate distinct issues into their own threads anyway.

Posting Best Practices on iboats:
One problem, one thread: Keep all questions and updates regarding one specific issue inside just that single thread.

Post in the right category:
Post your motor questions in the engine category, and hull questions in the boat restoration/repair category, so the right experts can help you. You can browse the categories on the iboats Boating Forums page.

Include your specs: Always state your exact boat year, make, model, and engine type right in the first post so members can give you accurate advice."
 

Berdink

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Mar 5, 2020
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Just a side thought.
I'm turning wrenches on this.
I'm going to clean the carbs. I have a separate thread for that.
But as I begin, coming from a Suzuki and Yamaha, it feels kinda nostalgic to be using standard wrenches.
My old 65 Chevy gave me that feeling. And I can just eyeball the size I need. 😊
 

Berdink

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Mar 5, 2020
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If the V4's are prone to break piston rings, then it sounds like they aren't worth shopping for.
The late 70 / 80's model 3 / 4 cylinder OMC are excellent.----Pick one up for $500 or less to rebuild.----You would no longer worry about $100+ / hr shop support or $10,000 + for a new motor.
Why didn't you mention the common breaking ring issue here?
 

racerone

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Dec 28, 2013
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Have seen lots of videos by " vintage boats "-----Talks about chrome plated cylinders on 15 HP Johnson.----Fact is they never ever had that feature !-----Lots of false information by this presenter.----And if you do not know you would believe 100% of the presentation.
 

racerone

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Dec 28, 2013
Messages
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Have had compliments on rebuilt V-4 models.----" Have had it 5 years and never missed a beat "-----Or " you rebuilt it 12 years ago, still runs like the day we got it "------Wiseco O/S pistons with proper shaped piston rings.
 

Berdink

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Mar 5, 2020
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Have had compliments on rebuilt V-4 models.----" Have had it 5 years and never missed a beat "-----Or " you rebuilt it 12 years ago, still runs like the day we got it "------Wiseco O/S pistons with proper shaped piston rings.
If/when, yes.
 
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