1998 Johnson 150 repower

[HOU-CHAP]

All,<br />I have finally given up on my 1977 Johnson 140. I just continue to have issues with it, and am tired of worrying about it . It still runs strong, but due to the lack of dependability I am moving on to a newer motor. Will the mounting bolt pattern be the same on a 1998 johnson as my older motor? Hopefully I won't have to drill new holes. I will know soon enough. I bought a motor off ebay, something I never thought I would do, but I just couldn't find what I was looking for local. Almost bit on a 1999 Mercury, but I would have had to track down new control box, cables, harness, etc. For $4500+ I didn't want to mess with that. <br /><br />I found this Johnson motor and think I got an ok deal (I hope I did anyways ). Anyone have any feedback on this motor (good or bad) it would greatly appreciated . I know the FICHT of this vintage have a lot of bad press, but I think this should be a good motor for me.<br /><br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...d=1,1&item=4641700385&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT

 

[angus63]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 repower

Looks like a carbed model, and it's a very proven design. OMC had quality issues in 97/98, but that motor has a good rep. Remember, a used motor is only as good as the care given by the previous owner. Price seems in the ballpark for a wellkept 98 v6. Upon receipt, I would check compression and LU oil condition, change waterpump and tstats, and run it thru it's entire range for hours before the 7 day return policy expires.<br />Good Luck

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 repower

The bolt pattern is the same. The wiring harness was changed in 96 so if the motor is a 98 you'll need a harness adaptor or a new harness.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 repower

Ah, I see it comes with a harness. You did good!

 

[HOU-CHAP]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 repower

Dhadley/angus,<br />Thanks for the response. I am glad to hear the bolt pattern in the same, I didnt want to have to drill anymore holes in the transom. Equally glad to hear I didn't get "taken". I am anxiously awaiting it to arrive, should be here by Friday. I will definetly try everything out when it arrives and I get it all hooked up. Will do the usual "new to me" motor drill (water pump, plugs, compr. test, lu fluid check, etc.). I really wanted fuel injection, but couldnt afford the new gen. fuel injected motors and heard to stay away from the older ficht motors. I utilized this site very often for my old 140, and am hoping for a break from the constant "fixing" that motor required. Few more questions, I am not very familiar with the oil injection. I plan on hooking it up (although I have heard of a lot of people leaving them disconnected). 1)Is there any reason why I shouldn't trust the oil injection and not hook it up? I have longed for the day to where I didn't have to mix my gas .. 2) is there a procedure for bleeding this system, or is it just plug and play?? I already have another service manual enroute, but would love to hook it up this weekend. Any further feedback would be great! Any particulars to look for other than the obvious things??

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 repower

I use the oil injection on any of my motors that I can. I've seen nothing to prove to me that even the older VRO system wasn't reliable. Yes, it got blamed for tons of stuff that wasn't it's fault. I bet you'll hear people tell you to disconnect your VRO when the oil injection on that motor isn't even the VRO system. <br /><br />Regardless of popular opinion OMC / BRP oil injection cannot pick on one cyliner or even one bank on carb'd motors. And if you allow water in the oil tank from lack of care, guess what? It'll pump water just as good as oil.<br /><br />Keep the tank protected and use good oil and you'll not regret it. As always make sure the alarms work and pay attention to them.<br /><br />The 60* motor is one of the best OMC ever produced. You might think "it's only 10 hp" but you'll think someone strapped a rocket on the back of your boat.

 

[HOU-CHAP]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 repower

Dhadley,<br />I almost bought a Mercury motor instead, and the guy was telling me there was a procedure to bleed the oil resevior/pump (looks like the merc had a reserve oil tank on the motor)? Will I need to due a similiar procedure on this motor or just plug it up? You are right I have heard from a lot of people to disconnect the VRO, but no one could really give me a good reason why they did it. Anyways Dhadley thanks for the feedback..

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 1998 Johnson 150 repower

When you get ready to connect the line for the oil, just squeeze the oil line bulb until the oil is at the end. Then connect it up. You should run 50:1 in the first tank of fuel to verify the injection is working. <br /><br />The manual will talk about actually pumping some thru the line (into a cup or something) before you connect it to get rid of any possible air bubbles. Then give the oil bulb one good squeeze and youre all set.<br /><br />Than make a mark on the oil tank and run the motor. After you use about 6 gallons or so the oil should drop by about a pint. Or a quart for 12 gallons. Once you verified the motor is using oil, you're good to go.