1992 Johnson 115 worth a rebuild?

[Johny25]

I am debating on buying a 92' 115hp johnson for $400 bucks and rebuilding it. The guy that has the motor informs me that the bottom starboard cylinder wall is scored. Other than that the other 3 are in good condition. The rest of the motor like lower unit and what not is in really good condition. It has the power trim and tilt and controls. The question I am asking is "is it worth the hassle?". I may or may not keep the motor when finished? Depending on if the profit margin would be great enough to justify selling it. I figure $1000-1200 for the rebuild kit, honing the scored wall etc.... I am not really concerned with the labor involved because I will have fun doing this in my down time this winter. If I buy the motor and rebuild it I am going to create a post and document the entire rebuild.

Other questions: Would I have to spend a bunch of money on specialty tools to accomplish this? I figure the value of the motor at about $3500 after the rebuild, does that sound about right?

So anyone who has rebuilt one of these V4 crossflows or knows about them please feel free to chime in with any info, thank you

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: 1992 Johnson 115 worth a rebuild?

I don't believe you'll ever sell that for $3500. For example I've been watching a 1988 175 V6 that's for sale, 50 hours on a fresh rebuild, $1800. Also, someone MIGHT be willing to pay a premium price for a rebuilt engine if it's from a known, highly experienced shop with a good track record, which you're not.

Furthermore, I'd bet that the scored cylinder will need more than honing, and how do you know the other cylinders won't need to be bored as well?

I just went through the same decision making process with my 200, and decided that, in my opinion, it wasn't worth doing. Therefore I'm currently parting it out.

 

[Johny25]

Re: 1992 Johnson 115 worth a rebuild?

Yeah the 3500 was wishful thinking probably.... also I just found out tonight after talking with the gentlemen that it is apparently a franken motor with different parts on it and he had no idea. It has a 1992 115hp hood and cowling but the transom tag serial number reads J140TLCRD which matches to a 1984 140hp :facepalm: And he cannot give me any numbers off the block because he can't find them I guess So at this point I am going to probably not bother with it at all, especially since it is a 90min drive to see the thing. Just not worth the trouble to me when he has no idea what he has.

Hey was your 90' 200GT a looper? And isn't the 88' 175 a crossflow? Just curious is all....

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: 1992 Johnson 115 worth a rebuild?

Hey was your 90' 200GT a looper? And isn't the 88' 175 a crossflow?

Yes and yes (unless I'm mistaken).

You know, if everything is there on that engine it might be worth your time to get it and sell it for parts. For instance, lower units are selling for $200 to $250 on ebay (some guys are ASKING more than that on craigslist but they're not selling). Good tilt/trim units are selling for $200 or so (I sold the one off my engine for $225). Right there's your $400 investment, and the rest is gravy. Cowlings in good condition are going for close to $100.

 

[Johny25]

Re: 1992 Johnson 115 worth a rebuild?

Yeah I have been considering that option also. I know there is well over $400 in parts I could sell off of it but when I calculate fuel (3 hour drive in my full size ford pickup) to get the motor, tear down time, storage space it will take up, people I will have to deal with when selling it and the time it will take to sell it all, the profit doesn't seem worth it in the end really. If he was 10 minutes away I would probably go get it no matter what.

 

[emoney]

Re: 1992 Johnson 115 worth a rebuild?

I'm surprised the current owner doesn't do that. I see ads like these all the time and I always wonder, "Why wouldn't you just tear it down and sell the parts". I can only assume it's because the owner doesn't a)have the ability, b)have the motivation, or c)isn't being 100% transparent. If nothing else, I'd take the lower unit off and the tilt/trim unit and get the asking price right there....or more.
Actually, were it me, I'd buy another 115 and use that one for future parts needs. To each his own I suppose. We would've enjoyed the rebuild thread at least.

 

[mekkamaz]

Re: 1992 Johnson 115 worth a rebuild?

Well, I?m rebuilding my 1980 115 and I?m far for spending $1200 for the whole thing. These are very good motors (IMHO), so they worth bringing 'em back to life. Mine also has a scored wall, was std and off he goes down to .030" just to clean the wall, so now all piston kits, gaskets, shop and a couple of "I?m right there, why not change this also", has been around 400. So if you look right you can get this done right and cheap. Of course, labor is on me.