1969 4 HP Johnson Restore, HELP!

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I have come into a 1969 4 hp Johnson outboard that I would very much like to bring back to original. I have seen some of the restoration jobs by some of the members here and it inspired me to do the same.

What it is now is a white spray painted cowl (painted over the Johnson logo) and a dark green body and lower unit. Pics to come. Motor itself looks pretty good, haven't started it yet, sure it will be fine after tune up. There is a line of residue around inside of cowling/hood about flywheel level, not sure what that may be? Looks like the flywheel is throwing something against the inside making a line of dark grey?

Searching goggle I found a tune up website that looks pretty good but was wondering if you guys would agree. It goes into a fairly thorough tune up, http://www.maxrules.com/fixtuneitup.html They have the parts for sale thorough the same website, hmmm;) They want about $100 for the complete set of tune up parts. Is that about right?

Where I'm having trouble is finding some original photos of what she looked like new, paint codes for repainting proper or original colors, source for original decals, etc. Also a recommendation of a good repair manual for it. Basically anyone that has any ideas for me, I'm open to it. As long as it gets this little kicker back to where it should be.

Please help with any info you have whether it's some info or all!

I hope to post before and after here once done!
 

wbeaton

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Re: 1969 4 HP Johnson Restore, HELP!

Could be a bad seal or over zealous lubricating of the armature plate. Get it running before you commit to paint and decals. You don't want to scratch it up doing a tune-up after the fact.

$100 sounds reasonable for tune-up parts. Possibly even a little cheap. I have to assume that the kit doesn't include coils. Should be closer to $150.
 
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Re: 1969 4 HP Johnson Restore, HELP!

Thanks this is a great start! Yeah I was planning on getting it mechanically good before proceeding. And yes the kit comes with coils but wbeaton was right it is $137.50, I was a little off, you were not! On that crankshaft seal, if it is bad does that require splitting the power head or is it a press in from the top? The schematic on the link that Tashasdaddy sent looks like it may be press in?? I need a manual... Any suggestions on which?
 

River - Runner

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Re: 1969 4 HP Johnson Restore, HELP!

Where I'm having trouble is finding some original photos of what she looked like new, paint codes for repainting proper or original colors, source for original decals, etc. Also a recommendation of a good repair manual for it. Basically anyone that has any ideas for me, I'm open to it. As long as it gets this little kicker back to where it should be.

Please help with any info you have whether it's some info or all!

In 1969 I purchased the Johnson 25 hp motor. I still have the motor and the '69 Johnson catalog, featuring all the motors. I'm quite busy now, but later I'll scan the catalog and post the pictures, information and specifications on your motor here.

The '69 is a beautiful motor. The paint color is Johnson No. 6901 Green Lacquer.

These are great motors with a great history. I now have a 1991 4 Deluxe and it will never be sold.
 
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Re: 1969 4 HP Johnson Restore, HELP!

In 1969 I purchased the Johnson 25 hp motor. I still have the motor and the '69 Johnson catalog, featuring all the motors. I'm quite busy now, but later I'll scan the catalog and post the pictures, information and specifications on your motor here.

The '69 is a beautiful motor. The paint color is Johnson No. 6901 Green Lacquer.

These are great motors with a great history. I now have a 1991 4 Deluxe and it will never be sold.


Thanks! Would that color include the cowling? The bottom half is as suspected, the original color then. I look forward to the photos! Thanks a million!
 

River - Runner

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Re: 1969 4 HP Johnson Restore, HELP!

Would that color include the cowling?

The cowl and prop are white, prop nut is black.

You have one of these three motors.

694hpp21a100.jpg
 

River - Runner

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Re: 1969 4 HP Johnson Restore, HELP!

This is scaned from the 1969 Johnson catalog.

694hpp13EC.jpg


694hpp13a.jpg


694hpp15100.jpg


Top of page.
694hpp15aa.jpg


Middle of page.
694hpp15m.jpg


Bottom of page.
694hpp15bb.jpg


I'll scan and post more later.
 
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Re: 1969 4 HP Johnson Restore, HELP!

I really appericiate your time River runner as well as others here! This is a great start to my project!

Does anyone have a source for reproduction decals?

Also is the white on the cowl a gloss or flat white?

Thanks again all!
 

River - Runner

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Re: 1969 4 HP Johnson Restore, HELP!

Also is the white on the cowl a gloss or flat white?

The cowl and prop are a gloss white.

It's been said here the 2 cylinder 4 is the best motor ever built, it's very desired.

This is the next page in the catalog.

Left side of page.
694hpp17leftCE.jpg


Right side of page.
694hpp17rightCE.jpg


694hpp17top.jpg


694hpp17bottom.jpg


I'll scan and post the motor specifications next.
 
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Re: 1969 4 HP Johnson Restore, HELP!

Wow! Thanks again! The source for the decals on Ebay is spot on to your photos! Think I'll order them now.
 

River - Runner

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Re: 1969 4 HP Johnson Restore, HELP!

The 1969 Johnson specifications.

694hpp20CE.jpg


694hpp2021CE.jpg


694hpp20T.jpg
694hpp21T.jpg


694hpp20B.jpg
694hpp21BS.jpg


This is all there is for your motor in the '69 catalog.

I wish I could also have the '69 motor and thanks for decal site! You'll enjoy that motor the most.
 

TN-25

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Re: 1969 4 HP Johnson Restore, HELP!

Congrats on a nice motor. They're quiet, smooth, simple, reliable, light, and easy to get parts for.

I inherited a 1971 Evinrude Yachtwin 4 (same as the Johnson) with low hours from my father. He inherited in 1985 from a good friend that hardly used it. Dad barely used it as an auxillary trolling motor on his 16" Starcraft. Unfortunately his idea of taking care of it only amounted to plugs and lower unit grease; he scratched and scraped the cowling and lower unit :( . I am having a time trying to find the correct 1971 decals. Nanas might have 1973 style decals for the Evinrude 6, but I don't see any decals specific to the 4s. I also don't find any decals for the base where the throttle control is, nor the starting instructions and specs that are applied on the front of the transom clamp.

I broke in a brand new 1974 Johnson 4. I'm glad I put some careful hours on it initially because the first time the actual owner used it he wound it out wide open and left it there.

The 4 is a direct decendant of the 3 horse that was made from 1952-1968. They all had integral tanks and metal cowls except for the 1968. The 1968 looks just like the later 4s.

Dad mainly had Johnson outboards. He bought a new 1967 folding weedless and didn't even use it until 1974. It was perfect until then, but remember what I said about how he takes care of them cosmetically... My older brother has the motor now. I grabbed dads old well used 1950 5-horse TN-27. Restoration on it is just about complete. What to do? Well, I bought a 1958 Johnson 7.5 yesterday!
 
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1969 4 HP Johnson, HELP!

1969 4 HP Johnson, HELP!

I know this is a rookie question but, I have never had a motor this old. I just bought a boat that has a 1969 4hp Johnson on it. It looks almost brand new. It will start and run as long as I keep playing with the manual choke. I noticed two knobs on the front of the motor too the right of the choke lever. The both go into the carb and say " lean and rich" I know it has something to do with my air/fuel mixture. Can anyone tell me what they are for and how to adjust them so that the motor will stay running without messing with the choke.

Thank you:confused:
 

RogersJetboat454

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Re: 1969 4 HP Johnson, HELP!

Re: 1969 4 HP Johnson, HELP!

I know this is a rookie question but, I have never had a motor this old. I just bought a boat that has a 1969 4hp Johnson on it. It looks almost brand new. It will start and run as long as I keep playing with the manual choke. I noticed two knobs on the front of the motor too the right of the choke lever. The both go into the carb and say " lean and rich" I know it has something to do with my air/fuel mixture. Can anyone tell me what they are for and how to adjust them so that the motor will stay running without messing with the choke.

Thank you:confused:

Welcome to Iboats.

Unfortunately you Hijacked a nearly 4 year old thread, which is a no-no around here.

First read these;
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=397820&p=2667700#post2667700

They are the forum rules, and if you follow them you will remain in the good graces of the moderators. ;)

Next start your very own thread here;
http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=24

Lots of guys over there that would be happy to answer your question. :)
 

JB

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Re: 1969 4 HP Johnson, HELP!

Re: 1969 4 HP Johnson, HELP!

Christpoher, you haven't noticed the announcement about posting to old threads. It is really bad manners, first because it takes attention away from the original thread and second because it repositions the thread in history.

Please start a new thread about your question and let JohnandMary's thread resume its place in the archives.
 
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