How old is this 85hp Johnson?

[eterry]

A co-worker has an older 14' tri-hull with a 85 hp Johnson. The hull is a Del-Magic out of Ft. Worth TX. I think the hull is a pre-1973 model. The #'s on the motor are 85EL779 and J4754942. I wrote them down today but didnt note which was which. What is the year of this motor, any quirks to this motor, and how available are parts?

The boat has been parked under a Pecan tree for about 2 years with no cover and is covered in sap, leaves, and limbs. The seats are in pretty sad shape; most need replacing, as does the carpeting. There is a crack on the top of the hull to the left (port?) of the green/red(nautical?) light about 12" long. At the risk of being booted to another thread topic can the crack be fixed? Is the boat worth the asking price of $500.00 for all of it? He said he winterised it, but what worries me is he bought it, used it once or twice, then parked it and bought some jet skis. I wonder if he is not telling me something?

What else should I look for, look out for?
I am looking for a larger boat to fish with, I have a small alluminum 14 footer w/ a 20 hp seaking, so dont know much about larger boats.


Thanks
Eterry

 

[wbeaton]

Re: How old is this 85hp Johnson?

1977

 

[ezeke]

Re: How old is this 85hp Johnson?

The model number is for a 1977 85HP Johnson. It is the last year of a series that began in 1973:

http://web.archive.org/web/20011223004656/www.evinrude.com/docktalk/modref/jomodyr/JHP85.html

 

[F_R]

Re: How old is this 85hp Johnson?

You think under a pecan tree is bad? I had a boat come in for repair (yes it required crawling under the dash for wireing) that had been parked in the chicken yard. How disgusting can people be? He got a thorough wash job added to his bill before I got in there.

 

[eterry]

Re: How old is this 85hp Johnson?

Was this motor any better or any worse than other makes and/or models? I am trying to get a feel for what to expect if I buy, anything come to mind out there ? Do you think $500 is a good deal for the boat/motor?
Any thoughts are helpful.
Eterry

 

[bigbob_FTW]

Re: How old is this 85hp Johnson?

Was this motor any better or any worse than other makes and/or models? I am trying to get a feel for what to expect if I buy, anything come to mind out there ? Do you think $500 is a good deal for the boat/motor?
Any thoughts are helpful.
Eterry

it depends on you. I have a '75 85 hp and i can work on it. $500 would be a good deal to me. If you can do your own maintanance, it will be one of the best motors you ever owned.

 

[dooma_Flatchy]

Re: How old is this 85hp Johnson?

I have a 1977 85 hp motor... I bought the boat last winter,,, replaced the impeller, spark plugs,and decarbed it. I can go out there right now squeeze the bulb 2 to 3 times lift the start up lever and push the choke in for 8 to 10 seconds and it fires right up. It pushes my 15 foot terry bass boat about 43 mph without a head wind and Im a pretty big feller.:redface:

 

[iwombat]

Re: How old is this 85hp Johnson?

I have one too. When my kicker had electrical problems this weekend I used it to troll.


Lemme say that again


I used it to troll!





Damn fine motor that '77 85hp V4

 

[jimmbo]

Re: How old is this 85hp Johnson?

The model number is for a 1977 85HP Johnson. It is the last year of a series that began in 1973:

http://web.archive.org/web/20011223004656/www.evinrude.com/docktalk/modref/jomodyr/JHP85.html

How so? The 85 continued production until 1981 when it was replaced by a 90. In 1979 the 92.6 block was replaced with the 99.6 block.

 

[bigbob_FTW]

Re: How old is this 85hp Johnson?

I troll with mine all the time. It will idle all day long.

 

[ezeke]

Re: How old is this 85hp Johnson?

Response to jimmbo.

In 1978 the standard shaft 85HP and 115HP J/E motors have new lower units, midsections, cooling systems, remote controls, completely different ignition systems, water pumps, thermostat systems, transom brackets, and power tilt and trim units, to mention only a few. None of these are backwards compatible. Even the flywheel is different.​

 

[sehoner]

Re: How old is this 85hp Johnson?

i gotta tell you, i have the '73 model and i love it.

it will troll all day, take my boat (15' fiber tri-hull) up to 45mph in no time flat.

i'd buy the boat and motor for 500.00, cut up the boat and trash it. keep the motor and buy another boat for the motor. but thats just me and moma always said i was crazy.


besides, dont you wanna be in the 2-stroke club?

 

[bigbob_FTW]

Re: How old is this 85hp Johnson?

i gotta tell you, i have the '73 model and i love it.

it will troll all day, take my boat (15' fiber tri-hull) up to 45mph in no time flat.

i'd buy the boat and motor for 500.00, cut up the boat and trash it. keep the motor and buy another boat for the motor. but thats just me and moma always said i was crazy.


besides, dont you wanna be in the 2-stroke club?

What prop do you run. I get about 38 from my tri-hull. I'm running a 17 composite. it will fly out of the hole.

 

[eterry]

Re: How old is this 85hp Johnson?

Ok, I took the plunge and bought the boat, which is a 15 footer. I took it to the carwash, gave it a pretty good bath and got most of the sap off it. It ended up coming with a new eagle fish finder but minus the drain plug. It also came with ALL of the paperwork for the motor, which surprised the heck out of me.

The trailer has small axle and tires, probably 1000 lbs. I have a 3500 lb. axle with 14 inch tires and am thinking of swapping the axles out, so to have a stronger axle and larger tires on the ground, which should mean less bearing problems. Does this sound like a good idea or am I wasting time and effort?

thanks for the advise,
Eterry

Ps, it has manual tilt/trim, how hard how much $ is it to add power tilt/trim, and do I really need it? I am going to get a cd-rom manual for it next.

 

[bigbob_FTW]

Re: How old is this 85hp Johnson?

How strong are you? hehe. Probably cost you $500 for the tilt. Mine is manual too. not a big deal.

 

[eterry]

Re: How old is this 85hp Johnson?

Strong enough I guess. After I took it to the carwash I thought I broke my back lifting it without a jack on the trailer, that my next stop was to harbor freight and got a trailer jack.

 

[72Glastron]

Re: How old is this 85hp Johnson?

Congrats!!

I recently purchased my Glastron V166 and it has a 85hp (50th anniversery series..LOL) on it, no tilt/trim, and I can handle it fine!! I think i will save my 500 bucks and just tough it out for a little longer....

as far as the trailer goes, how far do you need to haul to get to the water... I live right on a lake, so i enjoy the smaller tires. It seems to make it easier to launch by submerging the trailer faster.

One of the first things I would buy would be a transom saver, trailer mounted type!! your used to that little motor and not having to worrie about the big 'ol beast bouncing around down the highway, tearing the transom out of that older boat!!

Sam

 

[iwombat]

Re: How old is this 85hp Johnson?

You're way better off getting a jack plate than trying to find a serviceable T&T unit. You'll spend at least $500 IF you can find one. Jack plates are around the same price and they're new. They'll also work with your next outboard should you decide to repower some day.

 

[sehoner]

Re: How old is this 85hp Johnson?

What prop do you run. I get about 38 from my tri-hull. I'm running a 17 composite. it will fly out of the hole.

Sorry Bob, I had no idea how to subscribe to the thread, nor that i could and just got lost.

I use a 13x19 alum on my motor. Top speed that i have marked on the sonar is 45.6 mph, against current. I am thinking of dropping down to a 13x17 as the mech that just worked on the motor said it would increase top end speed and motor performance. with the 13x19 at WOT it just seems the motor has so much more to give but just cant give it with the prop being so tall.

Rich.