1976 Johnson 35 hp Tell-Tale???

matt burns

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Can someone please tell me if My 1976 Johnson 35hp has a tell-tale. Water comes out of the exhaust in spurts but it seems when I give it full throttle water doesnt come out but I have only ran it full throttle for about ten seconds because I dont want to blow it up. Any help would be great and also if you could let me know if it is suppose to be a steady stream or in spurts.
 

Daviet

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Re: 1976 Johnson 35 hp Tell-Tale???

You didn't list your model number, but the one I looked at showed a tell-tale available.
 

Daviet

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Re: 1976 Johnson 35 hp Tell-Tale???

It looks like that may have been a mid year change in 1976. The parts breakdown shows the tell-tale " on models used with an overboard indicator".
If yours don't have one you could install one.
 

matt burns

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Re: 1976 Johnson 35 hp Tell-Tale???

Does it need one and does it sound like my motor is doing what it should or should the water come out of the exhaust constantly? I just dont want to blow up my motor.
 

HighTrim

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Re: 1976 Johnson 35 hp Tell-Tale???

You will only get misting out of the exhaust relilef holes, no steady stream like out of a tell tale.

That being said though, when was the water pump last replaced? If this is a new motor to you, or it has been a few years, simply change it. Cheap insurance. A 'tell tale' is not necessary, but can be added if you like. Check out the faq on this forum for advice on this.
 

Daviet

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Re: 1976 Johnson 35 hp Tell-Tale???

No, you don't have to have one, it is a visual indicator that the water pump is working. The water will not be a solid stream of water out of the exhaust, it will kind of spit water out.
 

matt burns

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Re: 1976 Johnson 35 hp Tell-Tale???

If i keep it at 1/2 to 3/4 throttle it will spit water then it i give it full throttle it wont really spit any but I guess I havent ran it full trottle very long for the fact that it wasnt spitting water. Any idea on that? Also when i touch the heads after is has been running they are very hot!
 

HighTrim

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Re: 1976 Johnson 35 hp Tell-Tale???

If you cannot hold your hand on the heads for a solid, 1, 2 3 count, or waster will sizzle when splashed on the heads, you are overheating.

Time to drop the gearcase. Also may want to check the t stat and poppet valve if applicable, but I dont seem to think that your model has one.
 

matt burns

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Re: 1976 Johnson 35 hp Tell-Tale???

I think the T stat is under the heads cover. How do you check it to see if it is working?
 

HighTrim

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Re: 1976 Johnson 35 hp Tell-Tale???

Heating the t stat in a pan on the stove to 140 degrees. You will need a cooking t stat to determine the correct temp of oil. If it does not open, it is faulty. I have never actually tested one myself though, If I am opening her up I am changing it, especially if it is new to me or aged.

The waterpump rebuild you may need a service manual for though if you have never done it. let us know if you need help with this.
 

matt burns

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Re: 1976 Johnson 35 hp Tell-Tale???

I just out a new impeller and i could change the water pump pretty easy if I need but would water still come out the exhaust if the water pump was bad?
 

Daviet

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Re: 1976 Johnson 35 hp Tell-Tale???

At lower RPM an impeller might pump more water than at a high RPM.
That's why newer engines have a tell-tale, direct pressure from the pump.
If you don't know when the pump was replaced last or the cylinder head gets hot enough you can't touch it for a 3 count, replace the pump before you damage your engine.
 

matt burns

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Re: 1976 Johnson 35 hp Tell-Tale???

Alright I will do that tomorrow. Does anyone know if this motor has a thermostat forsure or not? Also I have an exhaust leak I think because when I take off the motor cover it will open up and go full speed but when I put it back on it will slow down. I am pretty sure it is leaking out of the gasket that the power head is on which I am going to fix to but would that have to do anything with water not pumping like it should?
 

HighTrim

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Re: 1976 Johnson 35 hp Tell-Tale???

It definately has a t stat, it was the poppet valve that I was unsure of, but pretty sure without looking on the brp website that your model does not have one.

Have you ever compression tested this motor?
 

matt burns

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Re: 1976 Johnson 35 hp Tell-Tale???

No I havent out it feels like it has good compression and always starts up right away. Do you think the T stat is under the head cover?
 

matt burns

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Re: 1976 Johnson 35 hp Tell-Tale???

Ok I today I replaced the powerhead gasket and and water cover gasket in hope of solving the problem that I have being that the motor runs faster when I take the motor cover off then when I put it back on it will decrease in rps. It doesnt change drastically but enough that you can easily tell. Putting those gaskets on didnt make a difference so anybody have any other ideas. My biggest problem that I am most worried about is still the concern of my motor overheating. When I had it out today water would come out of the exhaust when I would give it 1/2 throttle and I could put my hand on the heads for a few seconds but when I give it full throttle water stops coming out and the heads get very hot. I have to let off the throttle and back down to idle for a few seconds to get the water to come out again. When the water is coming out of the exhaust it doesnt get too hot so I have to drive the whole time at half throttle. I really need to figure this out. When you guys say put a new water pump in do you mean the whole water pump kit or just the impeller because the impeller is fine. Does this sound like it is a bad water pump? Also it is a long shaft and it is on a 16ft jon boat that is fitted for a short shaft and was wondering if that would have anything to do with any of the problems. I would really appreciate any help!!
 

HighTrim

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Re: 1976 Johnson 35 hp Tell-Tale???

Sure sounds like your water pump needs a rebuild. I personally never just change the impeller, I get the whole kit. How do you know that your impeller is ok? Inspect the inside of the pump and the impeller plate as well to ensure there is no scoring.
 
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