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    Bringing an old Johnson back to life after sitting 10+ years

    A couple of years ago I picked an old bass boat out of a farmers field as a project. Their nephew had parked it in 2009 and it hadn't been touched since. $100 for the titles and I got started. Engine is a 1987 V4 90hp (J90TLCUR). Pistons were shot. Instead of dealing with that, I just bought a...
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    Need help designing new livewell system

    I am restoring an early 1980's Cajun bass boat. The boat has a livewell at the bow and a livewell at the stern. When I got the project, it was only half way plumbed up so I don't know exactly how it was set up now how it SHOULD be set up. I have included a drawing with some explanation. There...
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    Testing Power Tilt/Trim Off The Boat (Completely Disconnected)

    I am refreshing/rebuilding an 87 90hp Johnson. I just finished breaking down the midsection and now getting ready to check out and refresh the tilt/trim. It worked before taking the OB off the boat, but I need to give it a more thorough inspection. The outboard is completely disassembled...
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    Screw on Side of Lower Unit - Purpose?

    This should be simple. In this image, what is the purpose of the screw circled in red? It's listed as a bearing setscrew but I can't tell what its full purpose is. Part number 324852 for a J90TLCUR, if that helps any.
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    Inspecting Lower Unit For Problems

    I am currently restoring an old bass boat. It had been sitting in a field completely untouched for at least 4 years (and unknown how long, if any, before that). The outboard is an '87 90hp v4 crossflow (J90TLCUR). I am rebuilding the powerhead due to low compression in 2 out of 4 cylinders with...
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    Here we go again... 1981 Cajun Bass Boat Complete Restoration

    I have been away from the boating scene for quite a while now as we were raising our kids, traveling the country, and enjoying life. With both kids about to be done with High School now, we left the big city to finally settle down. With that change, we lost (got rid of) the hustle-and-bustle and...
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    1987 Johnson 90 - Block Rebuild Upgrade?

    I picked up an '87 Johnson 90hp V4 that hadn't run in 4+ years (history of engine unknown) for nearly nothing. In doing my preliminary checks, I was getting low compression (90-94-94-95). For piece of mind, I'm going to get a rebuilt short block. I'm restoring the hull from the trailer wheels...
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    Cranking outboard on the stand

    I’m getting ready to start another old bass boat restoration. Picked it for $100 out of some country folks land where it had sat for 4 years. Before I get overly invested, I need to make sure the engine is good. It is a 1987 Johnson 90 (VRO bypassed). It was clearly winterized before it was...
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    Jet size for overbore

    1984 Johnson 115 V4 (J115TLCRD). I've been rebuilding the engine piece by piece (yes, I know it's not economical). I originally thought I was only going to have to bore to 040 or 044, but it had to go to 064 to clean up properly (and I would have just trashed the block, but I can't find a good...
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    Methods of proper engine identification

    When I bought the boat from my friend, he referenced the engine as a 1983. The Title has 1983 J115TLCTE. However, the plate at the mid-section on the engine has J115TLCRD (indicating a 1984). It looks like a previous owner had been playing Frankenstein because I find parts that are '84 parts and...
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    Stupid Flywheel Nut!

    Ok guys, any tricks for getting the dang flywheel nut off an '84 V4 115? I'm guessing it has NEVER been removed. I have the flywheel secured down to where it won't move and I've soaked the thing in PB Blaster. All I have it a big a$$ crescent wrench and I've been giving the end of it quick hits...
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    General Engine Rebuild Questions

    Motor is an '84 Johnson V4 115. I was battling a poor idle all last season (but it did run and was usable). I was going to sell the boat and cut my loss, but decided to try and find the problem. The carbs are off and have been freshly rebuilt. The intake manifold is also off (I was checking...
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    1989 Skeeter SD-125 [bass boat]

    About 3 years ago I took the plunge and fully restored an old 1984 Skeeter. I kept the boat for a while and loved every minute of it. I then took a new job in Colorado and sold the boat (for quite a bit more than I had in it, at that). After a year and a half in Colorado, I took another new job...
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    Re-circulation valves

    Last summer I pulled my re-circulation valves (part number 392988) for my '84 Johnson 115 while diagnosing an idle issue [which I am not going to rehash in this thread]. Not a single one of them 'worked' as the ethanol over time had turned the black rubber in to a gooey mess. I haven't touched...
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    Recirculation System Check Valves (temporary solution?)

    Trying to iron out the few remaining issues on the motor and it was suggested to check the recirculation check valves. I pulled all 4 of them and they were toast. Removed the mesh screens and the black rubber inside was a gooey mess. I am going to replace all 4 of them as I can but for now I...
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    Paint questions

    I'm thinking about repainting the boat since the gelcoat is heavily scratched, faded, and worn. I am going to have to roll-n-tip it as I have no way to spray. I'm also going to have to do it as it sits on the trailer since I am very limited in space in the garage (can't keep anything outside...
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    Checking Tachometer

    When I bought the boat, it had a tachometer installed, but all the wires cut (from when the PO replaced motors is my guess). I decided to hook it back up so I ran a splice from the gray wire in the control box, an ignition wire, and a ground wire to the tach. However, it doesn't work. The light...
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    What does this orifice plug (carburetor) do?

    On my carburetor, I found out that there are two orifice plugs on the bottom cover (in the bowl). One of them was partially clogged. I'm wondering what these orifice plugs are for and what sort of impact a partially clogged one might have. The engine is an '84 Johnson 115 V4. The orifice plugs...
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    Engine refuses to go full throttle

    If it's not one thing, it's another. I have been fighting a lean sneeze at idle. Everything was fine otherwise. I decided to pull the carbs and soak them for a few days to try and fix that problem. I reassembled and headed to the lake. Everything was going as normal and we idled/slow trolled...
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    Trolling Motor won't steer under power

    TM is an older 12v MotorGuide Tracker 30lb. It's bow mount with foot control. When I run it at anything above speed 1, it will torque-turn to the right on it's own. I have to hold heavy pressure on the foot pedal just to keep it still. I cannot get it to turn left at all unless I let off of the...
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