I've been lurking here for awhile and gathering TONS of useful information for a project I've been working on. I came into possession of a 1967 Johnson 20HP outboard motor that a friend of my father-in-laws had for decades. He stated that he got it in 1985 from a guy, started it once and then stashed it in his garage, never to pull it out again (apparently didn't need it). We went over to try and buy it from him and he ended up giving us the motor.
I've done a laundry list of things to this motor. A lot of things probably didn't need to be done, but I wanted to get the experience of it as I've never taken on a project like this before. I'll list everything that I can remember doing at the end of this post. I'm posting a video that I took just short while ago of the motor running. I would greatly appreciate any input from you guys on whether you think it sounds like it's running optimally. The RPM it's running at the beginning of the video is about as low as I can get it to idle without shutting down. I followed the slow-speed needle setting outlined on Leeroy's ramblings.
Here's the video:
Things I've done to this motor:
Carb rebuild, including new float (old one was cork). I used an ultrasonic cleaner as well as traditional method for cleaning. I replaced the high speed jet with a new one because I boogered up the slot on top when taking it out and was lucky to get it out at all. The fuel that was sitting in the carb for all those years looked like tar and was the consistency of tree sap. Had quite the odor to it.
New fuel pump (old one couldn't be rebuilt so I got a new one). The single most expensive part out of the whole process. I also replaced all rubber lines on motor.
New points, condensors, plug wires, plug boots, plugs. Coils appeared good, so I didn't replace them. Getting great spark now.
New water pump, wear plate, driveshaft o-ring, and lower end oil. The old lower oil that came out was clear almost like water and stank to high hell. Seems like the oil broke down into almost like a solvent of sorts. Was not milky at all though and no metal shavings. I'm going to replace the oil again after it's first water run which will hopefully be tomorrow. This motor is going on a 14ft Sears V-hull that I picked up after getting the motor.
As I mentioned. I've never worked on an outboard before and couldn't have gotten this thing running if not for all the helpful people here on the forums. Thanks guys!
I've done a laundry list of things to this motor. A lot of things probably didn't need to be done, but I wanted to get the experience of it as I've never taken on a project like this before. I'll list everything that I can remember doing at the end of this post. I'm posting a video that I took just short while ago of the motor running. I would greatly appreciate any input from you guys on whether you think it sounds like it's running optimally. The RPM it's running at the beginning of the video is about as low as I can get it to idle without shutting down. I followed the slow-speed needle setting outlined on Leeroy's ramblings.
Here's the video:
Things I've done to this motor:
Carb rebuild, including new float (old one was cork). I used an ultrasonic cleaner as well as traditional method for cleaning. I replaced the high speed jet with a new one because I boogered up the slot on top when taking it out and was lucky to get it out at all. The fuel that was sitting in the carb for all those years looked like tar and was the consistency of tree sap. Had quite the odor to it.
New fuel pump (old one couldn't be rebuilt so I got a new one). The single most expensive part out of the whole process. I also replaced all rubber lines on motor.
New points, condensors, plug wires, plug boots, plugs. Coils appeared good, so I didn't replace them. Getting great spark now.
New water pump, wear plate, driveshaft o-ring, and lower end oil. The old lower oil that came out was clear almost like water and stank to high hell. Seems like the oil broke down into almost like a solvent of sorts. Was not milky at all though and no metal shavings. I'm going to replace the oil again after it's first water run which will hopefully be tomorrow. This motor is going on a 14ft Sears V-hull that I picked up after getting the motor.
As I mentioned. I've never worked on an outboard before and couldn't have gotten this thing running if not for all the helpful people here on the forums. Thanks guys!
