1976 Johnson 85 HP V4

[cordell]

1976 Johnson 85 HP V4

So my neighbor has a brother who has a friend who has a boat with this motor on it, free. I am not interested in the boat or trailer, I only want the motor. Can anyone tell me a bit about this thing, is it easy to find parts for, is it 85 hp at the prop, why is it a 4 cylinder not a 3, is it a salt water motor because the boat looks like a bay boat?

I currently have a 98 bayliner capri with a force 85 hp (1987). I hit 30 mph top speed, the boat is rated for 90 hp but I see 120 hp on the same boat all the time. Even Iboats rates my boat for 120 hp! Do you think this johnson could push my boat closer to 40 mph? I realize a force is not the best of motors, though mine runs like a champ! I know its 85 hp rating is not accurate.

Thanks

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1976 Johnson 85 HP V4

I believe that motor is flywheel rated. Good motor. I had a '73 Johnson 85 and could still get pretty much any part I needed for it. However, if your Force is currently running well I don't know that it would be worth the swap. You should be doing better than 30. Maybe some with with your motor mounting height/prop pitch is needed.....or you're lugging around a bunch of waterlogged foam in that hull.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1976 Johnson 85 HP V4

85hp is 85 hp. All that bs about prop/flywheel horsepower doesn't make much difference at all.

Now. things like lower unit shape, prop, mounting, boat condition, etc does make a difference. However expecting a 10mph increase is a bit unrealistic, assuming both motors are putting out their rated hp, and are mounted/propped correctly.

 

[cordell]

Re: 1976 Johnson 85 HP V4

I believe that motor is flywheel rated. Good motor. I had a '73 Johnson 85 and could still get pretty much any part I needed for it. However, if your Force is currently running well I don't know that it would be worth the swap. You should be doing better than 30. Maybe some with with your motor mounting height/prop pitch is needed.....or you're lugging around a bunch of waterlogged foam in that hull.

I hit 33 mph @ 5000 WOT, I can adjust the throttle to get another 500 RPMs is I felt like it, maybe another 1 MPH? The motor may need to be adjusted height wise, the 1990 Force 90 HP that came with the boat was removed and my 1987 85 HP was slapped on in the same mounting holes. Everything lined up bracket wise so it could be raised or lowered a bit, my guess would be raised judging from the spray while riding @ WOT. The boat is not water logged, its really a BIG boat for the small motor. It measures dang near 18 foot, its not the little Capris we see zooming around, this thing is pretty big. Thanks for the info, I will just stick with what I have, my compression is awesome so I dont see any issues in the near future, knock on wood!

 

[cordell]

Re: 1976 Johnson 85 HP V4

85hp is 85 hp. All that bs about prop/flywheel horsepower doesn't make much difference at all.

Now. things like lower unit shape, prop, mounting, boat condition, etc does make a difference. However expecting a 10mph increase is a bit unrealistic, assuming both motors are putting out their rated hp, and are mounted/propped correctly.

Really, I always thought that was a big deal, or was made to think anyway. Probably started as a selling point for dealers!

Thanks

 

[cordell]

Re: 1976 Johnson 85 HP V4

Here is another angle....

Would it be worth hauling this thing to my property to either get the motor running for a spare, to sell, or to part out as is? Keep in mind I have to take the whole package, ie; hull, trailer. The hull looks like it would be OK, but is stripped of any and everything! The trailer is to big for the boat, it seems in good shape and all, I guess that could be sold as well. I dont know about titles for any of the 3, I live in Texas so the motor even needs title. Maybe I should find out about the titles before I take this any further. So, for the question lets assume all is well, titles come with the boat, motor, and trailer.


Thanks

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1976 Johnson 85 HP V4

Make sure you can title it. As I said, that's good motor that you can still get parts for so it would certainly be wort trying to get it running to sell it. Could be worth up to $5-$800 in my area. Same with the trailer. Very few state title outboards to you could sell it out of state.