1983 175 Johnson rebuild

[83ebbtide]

Guys,

I have a 175 Johnson needing rebuilt. I'm in Oklahoma and looking for a reputable shop. I'm not opposed to doing this myself as I certainly have plenty of tools and have built several small blocks over the years. What makes me nervous is the initial fire up. That and I'm not sure who in Oklahoma does machine work on outboard motors.

I have one cylinder running around 85 while the others are around 105. I have done a decarb which has me to where I am now. I have been told due to the age and unknown hours its best to rebuild. What should the compression be on this year motor to be considered good?

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1983 175 Johnson rebuild

That engine had two different factory head combinations that year. 325556/7 and 328324/5. Both types were low compression bathtub type heads. They ran lower compression than powerheads from just a few years earlier. I'm suprised they run as high as 105. My bathtub heads ran right at 95. Your 105 figure is probably they best you'll get with those heads. With the difference in that one cylinder, it is probably time for an overhaul since it will only get worse over time. I'd get an original factory service manual from the original pulisher before you start your teardown. Contact Ken Cook Co., in Milwaukee for a copy. You can see the original factory parts lists at epc.brp.com-they will help as you disassemble/reassemble. When you get it apart, you can check the low compression cyl walls for damage. On these engines, you can overbore just one cylinder during an overhaul. Stick with a factory replacement piston so it weighs the same as the others. A marine machine shop will check the measurements on the block for you to determine if it needs all 6 holes bored over or not. The factory service manual will indicate the start up procedure after overhaul. You need to double oil it and follow the break-in rpm steps listed.

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1983 175 Johnson rebuild

http://www.outboardbooks.com/
Get the book and have a good read, heck it might just be a bad head gasket yet.

You can usually find the manual cheaper on ebay, beware the clymer "official shop manual" is NOT the factory service book.
Buy only the factory book.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1983 175 Johnson rebuild

Jones is spot on. Check the head gasket first.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: 1983 175 Johnson rebuild

If you need a rebuild, here's a list of decent marine machine shops (most will also do the whole rebuild):

Mar Fab -- talk to Kurt or Dan at 931-738-2815 (Tennessee)

Flagship

Tribble

Blackburn

Roehrs

Riverside

Don't know of any in OK. It's acceptable to do just one hole, but let the shop doing the machine work decide what the deal is with the other holes and don't order pistons/rings until the shop tells you what condition is of all holes, then make sure the shop knows what pistons you're going to use before they do any machining. All this presumes you will do the final assembly yourself. Of course, you could have the machine shop do the whole deal, and you would just have to remount the powerhead and set it up.

Some people replace all pistons/rings and bearings during a rebuild, but it's not really necessary if the parts are in serviceable condition.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1983 175 Johnson rebuild

Some shops won't overbore just one hole. They may want to do all of them. They have to stand behind their work, so it's understandable- if they have to guarantee their work.

 

[83ebbtide]

Re: 1983 175 Johnson rebuild

Thanks guys. I am finding most want to to do all the holes stating due to its age they may be ok on compression but may be out of round and just waiting to give up. I have had the Clymer book and its about as close to useless as it gets. I am still considering rebuilding it myself but sure wish I had some experience close by to watch and give some input. Anyone close to Oklahoma?

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1983 175 Johnson rebuild

Guys have done it themselves with the manual and help here, have a marine machine shop decide how much it needs to be bored then order the rebuild kit.
I recall rebuild kits run around $1000 6 cyl's.

Post your model number, maybe we can locate the proper service book for you.

A good shop will charge $3000+ to do a complete job.
You can save 50% DIY.

Heres something similar to what you may be looking at.
1986 175hp with low compresssion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgavzDPDAy0

 

[83ebbtide]

Re: 1983 175 Johnson rebuild

Model number is J175TLCTE. Any special tools I may need?

Thanks jonesg. I have actually seen that video. I hope mine isn't that bad. The good thing is this motor has never been torn into. The bad news is the motors never been torn into so I expect some of these bolts will be pretty stubborn.