1988 Johnson 48 SPL piston/cylinder clearance

johnhot

Cadet
Joined
Dec 23, 2008
Messages
8
Spec sheet for Johnson indicates 0.0049" as max piston to cylinder clearance. I assume this means all around so overall piston diameter should be max 0.0098" less than the cylinder bore. I recently had my cylinders bored 0.020" over and I installed new 0.020" over pistons. I should have measured before assembly but assumed the machine shop work and the pistons ordered by the marina were OK. Current bored cylinders measure 3.205" and standard is supposed to be 3.188" so they're about 0.017"oversize.

The engine has probably only been run 20 minutes total and all at idle or slightly higher rpm...couldn't get it to run higher. Tore it back down and checked cylinders among other things. The hone marks are gone in large areas on the upstroke side of each cylinder and I can insert the corner of a 0.022" feeler gauge between the piston and cylinder wall, measured at the side and top non-concurrently. That much clearance seems excessive per the spec sheet, about double what it should be.

Should I indeed be working toward the specs or does it work OK to have almost double the spec clearance?

The bore seems right on but I suspect the pistons are undersized for 0.020" over.
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: 1988 Johnson 48 SPL piston/cylinder clearance

My 89 after market manual says manufacturer does not specify piston clearance
after 84.cylinder bore after 84 3.1870-3 - 3.1880 taper .002,out of round .003.Measure piston 1/8" up from bottom of skirt inline with top ring locater pin.
renew if diameter is less than 3.1381 inches.std piston,3.2131 for over size.
If piston and bore are within tolerance clearance should be acceptal.
Says pistons are available in .030 over. doesn't mention .020 over.
 

James R

Commander
Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Messages
2,679
Re: 1988 Johnson 48 SPL piston/cylinder clearance

If you need .020 over try Ebay for pistons. Look for Boathead. He usually has or can get them. Has a few thousand pistons in stock.
I use him as a supplier.
 

HybridMX6

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 22, 2008
Messages
676
Re: 1988 Johnson 48 SPL piston/cylinder clearance

I bought my .020" over pistons directly from Wiseco. BRP only lists standard and .030" over, but Wiseco goes standard, .020", .030", and .040" over.
 
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