25 horse Johnson

scrit9mm

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 31, 2011
Messages
425
I understand that I am not providing proper information but this is all I have to go on.

I called a local marine shop looking for a motor. They have a 25 hp Johnson that has been sitting there for 5-6 years. It does not have a model/serial plate on it. The guy said the only number is on the top of the engine and it is 70345. He also said that some customer left it there and never came back for it, that means they have no money in it at all and it has not been ran in some time.

I plan on going to take a look at it today, are there any other ways to determine what model it is to make sure I can get parts for it?

Also he put a loose price of $400 on it.
 

AlTn

Commander
Joined
Mar 9, 2010
Messages
2,813
Re: 25 horse Johnson

from checking parts diagrams..came into existence in 1969 using the universal magneto < sparkplug wires exit from under the flywheel>...1973 ignition changed to exciter coil under the flywheel with wires exiting from under the flywheel going to 2 external coils...1977 ignition changed to trigger, charge coil under the flywheel with wires going to external powerpack then on to the coils..someone else will have to p/u the history here. Parts..available for consumable items, others you can find on ebay or salvage yards listed under Top Secret listed in the Stickies at the beginning of the forum. Price?..big veriable here...electric start?...can be demonstrated to run?..test on the water?...salter water motor? < look under the powerhead, head screws, exhaust cover..see a lot of rust or corrision?..if so, I'd avoid it altogether unless you enjoy a challange> personally,if the motor can't be demonstrated to run I wouldn't give more than $50 and with the model no. tag missing and no one showing up to reclaim it, you gotta wonder if it's "hot". Don't feel rushed to make a deal.. report back with you observations...no one's bought it for the past 5 years, right? Unlikely someone will walk in behind you with moeny in hand.
 

ultra353

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 21, 2009
Messages
388
Re: 25 horse Johnson

Look for a nickel sized disc on the motor, it will usually have the model #`s stamped into it. Maybe take a picture of the motor while you`re there and post it so someone here can possibly I.D it. Well, $400 sounds high if it was brought to a dealership for something -needs fixing. Since they have $ 0 into it and its been there awhile offer them $100 and tell them you`ll buy your parts from them.

An rough idea of age:

1950`s- have metal hoods
1960`s-1972 fiberglass hoods, with ign coils under flywheel
1973-76 fiberglass hoods, with coils mounted on side of block
77 -up fiberglass hoods ,coils and cdi module( black box)mounted on side of block.

The external coils, i might be off a year or two.
 

all duck'd up

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 20, 2011
Messages
166
Re: 25 horse Johnson

no way i would touch this motor for $400 it was put in the shop so it already has problems PLUS its been sitting up for 5-6 years so you'll have to redo the carb and so-on....

you can get a running and titled motor for that off of craigslist all day

so i say keep shopping!
 

kbait

Commander
Joined
Nov 13, 2007
Messages
2,483
Re: 25 horse Johnson

With the serial #'s removed, get a bill of sale upon purchase and keep it handy. I'd probably steer away from that one, as I normally fix and re-sell.. I wouldn't want to sell one w/o ID tags on the transom clamp or welch plug (per ultra^).

A runner (w/tags) 25hp can be had for $400 or so, w/some looking. A non-runner w/no id? Not $400.
 

scrit9mm

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 31, 2011
Messages
425
Re: 25 horse Johnson

from checking parts diagrams..came into existence in 1969 using the universal magneto < sparkplug wires exit from under the flywheel>...1973 ignition changed to exciter coil under the flywheel with wires exiting from under the flywheel going to 2 external coils...1977 ignition changed to trigger, charge coil under the flywheel with wires going to external powerpack then on to the coils..someone else will have to p/u the history here. Parts..available for consumable items, others you can find on ebay or salvage yards listed under Top Secret listed in the Stickies at the beginning of the forum. Price?..big veriable here...electric start?...can be demonstrated to run?..test on the water?...salter water motor? < look under the powerhead, head screws, exhaust cover..see a lot of rust or corrision?..if so, I'd avoid it altogether unless you enjoy a challange> personally,if the motor can't be demonstrated to run I wouldn't give more than $50 and with the model no. tag missing and no one showing up to reclaim it, you gotta wonder if it's "hot". Don't feel rushed to make a deal.. report back with you observations...no one's bought it for the past 5 years, right? Unlikely someone will walk in behind you with moeny in hand.

I was just talking myself out of going to look at it. It does have many red flags. The shop is a repubitable one and I would doubt it is "hot". I was figuring someone may have taken it to the shop to have repairs made and it may have cost too much so they just left it. I am not rushed being that I will not use it until March at best, this allows me time to tinker and fix minor problems. There is another one for sale with electric start that I can test for sale for $800. The motor referenced in the original post is not electric start.
 

scrit9mm

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 31, 2011
Messages
425
Re: 25 horse Johnson

With the serial #'s removed, get a bill of sale upon purchase and keep it handy. I'd probably steer away from that one, as I normally fix and re-sell.. I wouldn't want to sell one w/o ID tags on the transom clamp or welch plug (per ultra^).

A runner (w/tags) 25hp can be had for $400 or so, w/some looking. A non-runner w/no id? Not $400.


Perhaps in MN, but these things are like gold around here! It's either crap (probably what this motor will be) or it runs and the seller wants a grand or better.
 

scrit9mm

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 31, 2011
Messages
425
Re: 25 horse Johnson

Look for a nickel sized disc on the motor, it will usually have the model #`s stamped into it. Maybe take a picture of the motor while you`re there and post it so someone here can possibly I.D it. Well, $400 sounds high if it was brought to a dealership for something -needs fixing. Since they have $ 0 into it and its been there awhile offer them $100 and tell them you`ll buy your parts from them.

An rough idea of age:

1950`s- have metal hoods
1960`s-1972 fiberglass hoods, with ign coils under flywheel
1973-76 fiberglass hoods, with coils mounted on side of block
77 -up fiberglass hoods ,coils and cdi module( black box)mounted on side of block.

The external coils, i might be off a year or two.

I will take many pictures and post my findings later this afternoon.
 

kbait

Commander
Joined
Nov 13, 2007
Messages
2,483
Re: 25 horse Johnson

Perhaps in MN, but these things are like gold around here! It's either crap (probably what this motor will be) or it runs and the seller wants a grand or better.

'60's model fastwins/20's and 25's for $400 or so.
'73 and newer, good condition runners would definitely fetch more $ - esp w/electric start.
 
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