'82 Johnson 9.9 - New to me

K

Kymasabe

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 15, 2007
Messages
179
Just bought a small boat with an '82 Johnson 9.9.
(EDIT)
Are these decent little motors? reliable?
Carbs were recently cleaned by local Johnson/Evinrude dealer and has new prop. Seems to be in decent condition. I was thinking of decarbing it as I have no idea when or if it's ever been done before.
Any thought on any inherent problems with these motors or are they pretty much bullet-proof?
 
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R

ratracer

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 10, 2004
Messages
232
Re: '82 Johnson 9.9 - New to me

They're great motors, very reliable, comparatively easy to work on, and replacement parts for the stuff that wears out are still readily available. One look on Ebay on the number of Johnson/Evinrude 9.9/15HP motors from that particular design series ('74-'92)and the prices they fetch should help convince you of both their longevity if properly maintained and of how well they are still thought of.

About the only thing I can think of to watch out for on an '82 would be to keep the gears under the tiller where it hinges properly greased and be careful about twisting the throttle while the tiller is pointed all the way up so those gears don't jump out of alignment.

2 things you may want to do are to replace the water pump and change the oil in the lower unit since you don't know the previous history of the motor.

BTW a 9.9/15 has a single carb.

If you're going to work on it yourself I would recommend buying an OEM service manual, reprints are still available. They're much more useful than the 3rd party stuff.
 
W

Whoopbass

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 29, 2006
Messages
653
Re: '82 Johnson 9.9 - New to me

I bought a 1980 25 HP Johnson in 1993 for $300. It was basically the first outboard I ever bought.
I ran that thing pretty hard and went through several props running it on the river. I pretty much abused it. Never really maintained it.
It always started and never broke down.
Earlier this year I replaced it with a 30 HP Suzuki so I decided to sell the Johnson on Ebay. I rebuilt the carb, replaced the impeller and also put a seal kit on the lower unit since it has leaked water for as long as I can remember. The gears still looked new and the compression was 120 psi on each cylinder.
The motor ending up selling for $1025. I was real happy since the Suzuki only cost $600.
Yeah, those older Johnson's are pretty much bullet proof. IMO they are better then the 1993 and later motors.
 
M

mountainboy

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 30, 2002
Messages
216
Re: '82 Johnson 9.9 - New to me

Great motors. I have a '84 9.9 Evinrude. Had it since 2003. Never has given me any trouble. Basic maintainance only. Starts everytime. Runs fantastic.

Mike
 
K

Kymasabe

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 15, 2007
Messages
179
Re: '82 Johnson 9.9 - New to me

Thank you all. I was a little concerned. The motor ran on a stand when I bought it yesterday but it's going on the boat and in the water today, wasn't sure what to expect. My last boat had an '83 Johnson 60HP that was...well...challenging.
 
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