1975 Johnson 115 Recomission

[airman1094]

Hi all! I just acquired a 1975 Johnson 115 that hasn't been run in an unknown number of years! I know I'm beating a dead horse in posting this thread(since there are plenty related to reviving outboards), however, I just wanted any input related to this particular outboard. The motor spent the last few years under a tarp on a test stand. I've inspected the wires on the outboard, lubed up the crank (via the bypass covers and through the reed valves), inspected the lower end and checked the impeller and am in the process of replacing those pesky little prop shaft oil seals! I did give her a spin with the starter hooked up to my car battery, and this is where my problem begins...the starter won't turn over the engine with the spark plugs in! The engine isn't flooded as I wasn't giving any fuel! When the plugs are out she spins smoothly! I disassembled the starter, cleaned and checked, then put it back on, checked the solenoid, and re powered and same result! I am using the old batt wires that were exposed to the elements...they seem to jump and heat up when I engage the starter! I'm guessing I need new cables! I've also polished and tightened all ground points and power points to rule out other connections! Did I miss something? Any other steps I need to do before I crank it up? Thanks!

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1975 Johnson 115 Recomission

You can do a starter test. Jump it direct to a known good battery with a set of automotive jumper cables. If the starter cranks normal rpm's-look elsewhere for the problem. You've hit on one, old, bad wires. Starters take a lot of current, so the end connectors must be either crimped snugly, or soldered. If the starter cables heat up at all, replace them-they are generating heat instead of transferring current. Make sure you get proper sized ones. (they vary somewhat by size of engine.) The solenoid can also be part of the problem. With age and use, the contact tips inside it can get carboned over. When that happens, they may not transfer enough current to crank with the plugs in. (just replace it.) When cranking, make sure the timer base is in the idle timing position. If the link arm has come loose (unusual, but it happens) and the timer base is at the full advance (max timing) point while cranking, it will get really hard to crank.

 

[airman1094]

Re: 1975 Johnson 115 Recomission

Hmmm I didn't think about just replacing the solenoid! I've tried jumping the starter with cables ( but mine are junk ) and had the same result! Im going to try a different battery and new cables! I'll check the timing for sure ( because if it rarely happens it will be me that it rarely happens to). I'll try out a few things today! Thanks for your help so far!

 

[airman1094]

Re: 1975 Johnson 115 Recomission

Well changed the cables and tried a different battery...still same result! Ordered a new solenoid and starter...we shall see how it goes! If that fixes it then the motor is ready to be fueled and started

 

[airman1094]

Re: 1975 Johnson 115 Recomission

New starter and solenoid did the trick! I even got it to start!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1975 Johnson 115 Recomission

New starter and solenoid did the trick! I even got it to start!

Great to hear! I had a '73 Johnson 85 that hadn't been run in many many years before I got it. Had to throw some money at it initially in ignition parts and carb work but I ran it for 5 seasons trouble free and sold it still running great. Now I have an '81, same deal.

 

[airman1094]

Re: 1975 Johnson 115 Recomission

Yeah the first problem I came across was how stiff it was to turn over, period! It had been years since lube saw the guts of that engine! However it was kept under a tarp which was a good thing! Nothing like hearing an engine run that you weren't sure you'd ever hear growl to life!

 

[airman1094]

Re: 1975 Johnson 115 Recomission

She runs fairly good! My only concern is that there doesn't seem to be a great deal of "pee" coming out! It's got a great deal of water circulating around the cylinders though! I took off the hoses to verify! Thermostat not opened yet? Not too sure...I'll play around with it some

 

[airman1094]

Re: 1975 Johnson 115 Recomission

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=511054678930723&set=vb.100000785871677&type=2&theater

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1975 Johnson 115 Recomission

The reference pic does not contain any picture. The telltale did not come out until the 1978 model year, so yours does not have a telltale. When you start your engine cold, hold your hand behind the two exhaust relief ports at the top of the midsection. After a minute, the thermostat should open. When it does you will start to see water droplets form on the palm of your hand. That's a good sign-normal.

 

[airman1094]

Re: 1975 Johnson 115 Recomission

Ok it does spray quite a bit once warmed up! That is good news! I've dealt with mostly post 80 motors! The rectifier is working well also...the tach lead has a variable voltage based on rpm and the battery registers about 16 volts around idle!