25HP JOHNSON - opinion needed

[Aluma-Bass]

Im going to go look at this motor tomorrow. Lady selling it says it was her fathers and he passed away and been in storage ever since. Said when it was put up it was running but that was 4yrs ago. She is only askin $500 to me seems like good deal. Its missin a prop is only thing she said wrong with it. By the pics it looks like clean motor may need some dusting off possible carb cleanin. Can anyone give me a possible year range on this motor by lookin at pics? What do you guys think, is it worth what she is askin??

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 25HP JOHNSON - opinion needed

That motor is well worth the asking price. I'd carry along a $20 compression gauge and if it had around 125 psi and the lower unit oil didn't have water in it I'd jump on it. Likely if anyone sees that motor, you will never have the chance to buy it. You'd better be QUICK!
I'd say it is about an '86 model, but could be a little newer. Great motors!
JBJ

BTW, if the seller came off that price a little, I'd probably buy it if it felt good pulling it through. taking the spark plugs out will tell you quite a bit---rusty plugs are a no-no! Aluminum trash on the plugs, also.
You'd better go early!!! No kidding.....
Tell us what happens tomorrow! I always like to hear about a good deal on an outboard.

 

[Aluma-Bass]

Re: 25HP JOHNSON - opinion needed

cool thanks for the quick response jbj!! I thought it was a deal... where can i pick up compression test?? napa??

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 25HP JOHNSON - opinion needed

NAPA, O'Reilly's, Autozone, swipe a friend's...... they all work. since compression gauges are notorious for being off, look for a ballpark around 125psi, cylinders within 5 or 10 psi of each other is what you hope for and even more important.
Good luck,
JBJ

 

[Aluma-Bass]

Re: 25HP JOHNSON - opinion needed

thanks again JBJ! Hope it works out for me.....

 

[Aluma-Bass]

Re: 25HP JOHNSON - opinion needed

yea i will im going when i wake up! Thanks for the advice! Ill post up tomorrow sometime and let you know the results! Im excited!

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: 25HP JOHNSON - opinion needed

I don't see a tiller arm so if its not tiller make sure it comes with the controls.
It also looks like a long shaft.
Seems kinda weird its missing the prop.

If everything looks good and it has good compression and spark but won't start offer her $300 and see if she bites.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 25HP JOHNSON - opinion needed

Prop may be there, a lot of people take them off for storage. i would knock atleast 50 off for no prop.

 

[b717doc]

Re: 25HP JOHNSON - opinion needed

Dang, I gave $500 for my boat, motor, AND trailer.....40 Horse Johnson, 13 foot sea king runabout....shop around...just my opinion

 

[Tinman57]

Re: 25HP JOHNSON - opinion needed

I had the Evinrude version (1986) of that motor for 16 years of great peformance. I sold it with 2000 hours on it, and it's still running great for the guy I sold it to. I used it exclusively in salt water.

Funny thing, the manual said run 100:1 oil, which is what I did for 16 years. I was totally unaware that the factory changed the oil recommendation to 50:1 right after I bought it.

I had the manual-start, tiller steer version. The only problem was the tiller-mounted kill switch. Every 5 years or so, the switch would go bad, and I couldn't shut the motor off with the switch. It also needed a carb rebuild after 16 years.

Great motor.

 

[Aluma-Bass]

Re: 25HP JOHNSON - opinion needed

Ok so things didnt work out...i eneded up calling lady to tell her i was running behind and good thing i did. She said it was not tiller model but cable steering and i cant use that and was long shaft. I was more looking for short so told her to go ahead and sell to next person bc i couldnt use it for my boat or type fishin i do. So ill continue to look for another deal...Thanks guys for help!