72 Johnson 25hp

[jasunderland]

I have a 25 hp 1972 Johnson outboard with the teller handle that I got off of an old pontoon. When I opened it up, it had a sizable rats nest under the cowling. Is it worth digging into it to try to fix up and sell? Looking at it, other than it being super disgusting, all the wires and everything look clean. It comes with the controls and steering cable. Is it worth digging into? I figure 8 bucks for spark plugs, and $20 for an impeller and maybe $20 for a carb rebuild kit. Is it worth my time?

 

[lindy46]

Sure - clean out the nest and check compression. If compression is good, most everything else can be taken care of with a little money and effort. It may need new ignition parts to get a spark and a lower gearcase service in addition to the items you mentioned, or it may not need much at all. But well worth checking.

 

[jasunderland]

Thanks man. What would something like this so far though? I don't mind putting the labor into it, but I'd like to make some money on it.

 

[lindy46]

Depends on what it needs. If it needs all new ignition parts, impeller, maybe complete water pump kit, wires, gas lines, gearcase seals, carb kit - the works - it could be around $150-200 for parts. Then add what your labor is worth. In my area, a good runner would sell for maybe $300-400. You can easily put more into them than you can sell them for. You may luck out and get by with a carb rebuild, new plugs, an impeller and a gear oil change for less than $50 in parts. Then you can make some money. I picked up a simiar early 70's 25hp motor several years ago for $35. Cleaned out the nest and for the heck of it, gave it a try. She started right up. I did some maintenance (impeller change and gearcase lube change, carb cleaning) and sold it for $150 profit.

 

[AlTn]

the real "deal killer" I've found is the gear case in these older outboards...specifically the clutch dog and forward gear... with wear these two components can't maintain proper engagement and the engine will "jump out of gear"..begins with an occasional, "thump, what was that?", to the point that it won't stay in gear much over idle...this may not be a concern at all with this engine, but as a precaution just check the prices for the parts...as Lindy says, "Depends on what it needs."

 

[oldboat1]

Like this? (smaller motor, smaller mouse nest) Very good runner under there.

 

[jasunderland]

No Title

Here is what I found. Looks like a clean motor other then that. It is my fianc?'s parents pontoon. They have had it since it was new in 1972. My local Marine guy also asked me if it lurched out of gear in forward.

I probably won't expect to see more than $200-$300. There are a lot of Amish around here who love all pontoons to fish from. One of them might need a new 25 hp motor! I don't think that I will spend more than 50 bucks and see where that goes.

 

[AlTn]

well now...an electric start 25 hp....price just went up...with the cautions already mentioned...1 owner?..even better

 

[oldboat1]

not a hobbyist, I guess. Just leave it as is -- guys who know their stuff will know what it is or isn't.