1987 Johnson 8hp "help"

[northwoodslivin]

Hey guys

Getting another boat, and the motor on it is a clean 1986 johnson 8hp. I am curious though, are parts hard to get for this motor because checking on here, many of the parts are listed for a 1985, but then make a jump to 1987? why is that? are not the 85,86 and 87 basically the same motor? such as power pack, coils etc?

And are these a good motor?

Cheers!

 

[northwoodslivin]

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp

Pic of the motor

And the boat

 

[northwoodslivin]

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

bump

getting this rig tomorrow afternoon, would really like to know!

 

[Vic.S]

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Check the parts catalog at http://shop2.evinrude.com/ for the availability of OEM parts.

Check Sierra , Mallory and CDI catalogs for availability from those suppliers.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Shouldn't be a problem whatsoever, getting parts for that motor. A lot of us here in the forums are running motors 30 years older than that and still have success finding parts. Nice little motor by the way. I had an '83 7.5hp that looked a lot like it.

 

[northwoodslivin]

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Thanks guys, was just a little worried seeing some parts for an 86, but most are for 85, then it skips 86 and goes to 87-89.

Got the boat, motor is in SUCH amazing shape, hardly a scratch on it, purrs like a kitten. Lovin this new rig, cant wait to take her out Buddy didnt know when the impeller was last changed, so I am likely going to stick a new one in, even through it is pissing strong and running cool. I got the owners manual for the motor but dont have a shop manual... Aside from taking out the bolts for the lower unit, is there a shift linkage I need to decouple or anything?

Cheers!

 

[Vic.S]

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

I think there may be a few parts that are of limited availablity The powerpack is one.
( I bought the last carrying handle in the warehouse in Belgium this year. That's plastic by the way )

But check the parts catalog yourself!

The shift rod just pulls out from the gear at the top of the leg so no problem there.
Look at the diagram on the parts site.. very useful.


If it is peeing well and not running hot there no problem but for future reference note that the grommet at the top of the water tube can block the water tube. Any cooling problems: that's one thing to look at

 

[northwoodslivin]

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Well lets hope I never have to replace the power pack This motor has clearly not seen much use, it looks brand new after I cleaned it all up! heck the skeg only has a little bit of rub off on it. I am a happy camper

So just those 4 bolts for the foot and it will slide right off, nothing to disconnect or worry about when putting the foot back on huh?

Weird thing is, on the serial number/model number tag it says Made in Canada, not Belgium, interesting.

 

[northwoodslivin]

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Quick question.. my 20HP Johnson, the thermostat housing would get pretty hot then go cold.. On this little guy, the thermostat housing where the thermostat is, is always cold, but I can feel the heads and they get warm "not hot" is this something I should be concerned about? or am I worrying myself?

 

[Vic.S]

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

It sounds as though your thermostat maybe stuck open or lifted off it seat or been removed!
It doubles up as a pressure control valve.

Something to investigate in due course rather than panic over I think.

It's when they get so hot that you cannot touch them or the paint discolours or steam comes from the relief port that you really have to worry.

I dont think I'd worry about the waterpump at the moment either.

Enjoy for now, get the tool kit out in the winter.

You profile says you are in Canada so not weird to have a motor made in Canada!


BTW the fuel mix should be 50:1 even if it has decals on it saying 100:1 or if the owners manual says 100:1

OMC switched over to 100:1 in 1985 but realised sooner after that it was a mistake.

 

[northwoodslivin]

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Thanks Vic

Yea. I was thinking it might be stuck open "funny I just replaced the T-stat on my 20, same deal "stuck open" but at least with this one I dont have a water jacket to replace, T-stat has it's own cover... maybe I will pop it off and examine it. I think there would be a T-stat in there as the heads do get warm to the touch, if it we're stuck I would tend to think the heads would be cold "like in my case with the 20 when it was stuck" I am real anal about stuff like that, even if a part isnt broken I will still replace it because I always say to myself that if I am way out in the middle of a lake, far from the boat ramp, I dont want a part failing me

However, this weekend "weather permitting" shes coming out to my cottage and going out on the water! I shall report back then!

Cheers

 

[northwoodslivin]

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

OK

Couple of things.. I was out in the backyard today and went to run the motor for about a half hour in the bucket on the back of my boat to burn out the carbon with sea foam in my premix "got a lot out btw" but while running the motor I noticed two things. 1. it's got NGK plugs in it "barf" but they are the equivalent to the champions apparently, but I am going ahead and buying a new set of QL77JC4's anyway.

2. I was inspecting the motor running with the hood off, and I looked under the fly wheel and noticed a bit of premix has leaked down from the shaft. So I take it that I need a new crank seal? or should it be ok the way it is or do I risk blowing it up? not impressed, aside from that the motor is mint mint mint. If I have to replace this, please dont tell me I have to rip the whole motor apart:redface:

 

[northwoodslivin]

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Am I safe to take the boat out with this issue? its not pouring out premix from the top seal under the flywheel....but it is obviously leaking?

 

[northwoodslivin]

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Also, when I was running the motor today, the exhaust relief ports/baffle "the one with two ports below the powerhead/above the water line" well it was just exhaust coming out and the odd drip of water, if I rev'ed it high it would spray out a bit but then do the same when it went back to idle, does it sound like the thermostat is shot as well?

 

[northwoodslivin]

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Ha. I just checked out the model number online here and I guess I have an 87 and not an 86 "good news parts wise" CJ8RCUD "just take away the C as I guess that stands for Canada and there ya have it..

Now about those two problems if you wouldnt mind reading the two posts from me before this one.

Cheers fellas!

 

[Vic.S]

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Am I safe to take the boat out with this issue? its not pouring out premix from the top seal under the flywheel....but it is obviously leaking?

I think I'd do nothing initially but if the seal is leaking badly you will have to replace it.
If it gets to the point where air is sucked in the engine wont run properly.

Big job to split the crank case to replace the seal, but it might be possible to get it out without.

Trick I've used with seals on car engines is to drill a couple of small holes in them and screw in a couple of self tapping screws and pull them out with those. They are bigger seals of course. It might not be a feasible plan with smaller ones.


Regarding the plugs . The Champion Q series plugs are inductively suppressed. The NGK equivalnt is BZ7HS ( or BZ7HS-10 which is supplied gapped to 1mm.)

B7HS (-10) would be suitable as they are equivalent to L77JC4.

Avoid resistor plugs such as NGK BR7HS as they are not suitable for OMC CD ignition. Although frequently listed and sold as equivalents to the Q series they are not!

Recommended plug gap is now 0.7 to 0.8 mm

 

[Vic.S]

Re: 1987 Johnson 8hp "help"

Just a few drops of water from the exhaust relief port is normal.. Time to worry is when you get steam!.

 

[northwoodslivin]

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

Re: 1986 Johnson 8hp "are parts hard to get???"

I think I'd do nothing initially but if the seal is leaking badly you will have to replace it.
If it gets to the point where air is sucked in the engine wont run properly.

Big job to split the crank case to replace the seal, but it might be possible to get it out without.

Trick I've used with seals on car engines is to drill a couple of small holes in them and screw in a couple of self tapping screws and pull them out with those. They are bigger seals of course. It might not be a feasible plan with smaller ones.


Regarding the plugs . The Champion Q series plugs are inductively suppressed. The NGK equivalnt is BZ7HS ( or BZ7HS-10 which is supplied gapped to 1mm.)

B7HS (-10) would be suitable as they are equivalent to L77JC4.

Avoid resistor plugs such as NGK BR7HS as they are not suitable for OMC CD ignition. Although frequently listed and sold as equivalents to the Q series they are not!

Recommended plug gap is now 0.7 to 0.8 mm

Thanks Vic, yea the plugs in there now are NGK BR7HS-10's it idles fine, shakes a bit from idle to slowly opening the throttle then runs smooth on higher rev's Wonder if this is the plugs doing that or sucking air? now I am worried... err, I dont want to pull off the powerhead and split it What about the exhaust baffles, there is no spray shooting out of it when its running, just the odd drop of water will trickle out of it and down the leg but will spray a bit if I open the throttle up. Doesn't sound right huh?

Thanks for your help thus far! appreciated!

 

[northwoodslivin]

Re: 1987 Johnson 8hp "help"

Just a few drops of water from the exhaust relief port is normal.. Time to worry is when you get steam!.

Really? all the other motors I've owned in the past sprayed water out of the baffle when I put my finger on the Tstat cover it is cool and a little warm some times, if I put my fingers on the heads, I can keep em on there for about 3-4 seconds until it hurts the fingers.

About the seal, is there just the 1 seal at the top? I am only seeing one seal in the break down? I dont think it is BAD right now, its not pissing everywhere when it is running, I cleaned off the area and it is still clean, I think I may have caught it just in time, but now I am worried about taking the boat out this weekend and may just end up canceling my fishing trip

 

[Rick-va3rzs]

Re: 1987 Johnson 8hp "help"

If made in Canada most likely down the road from me in Peterborough

I now have 3 motors that where made here

40es70 ( 40 hp electric shift 1970)
QD 14
and QD-21

Really nice and strong motors I dont think you will have a problem with your motor if it was take care of like it looks like it has been