Installing a tell-tale on '77 Johnson 85hp

[iwombat]

While I'm busy doing some long overlooked maintenance by the previous owner I figured I may as well install a tell tal while I have thing apart. Is there an existing hole on the motor that can be used, and if so where?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Installing a tell-tale on '77 Johnson 85hp

Look on the cylinder heads. Some have 1/8 pipe plugs either in the water jacket cover(s) or on the top(s) of them. All you need is a fitting with a small barbed nipple and a bit of speedometer or aquarium hose thru a hole strategically located in the pan so that you can see it pee from the driver's seat. The best place is off the top of a head, but off a water jacket works too.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Installing a tell-tale on '77 Johnson 85hp

I'll look for one of those plugs tonight. Thanks.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Installing a tell-tale on '77 Johnson 85hp

The telltale did not come out til 1978. Suggest you get a 321886 elbow (about $1.50) I would remove the exhaust cover and drill/tap a hole in the outer cover for the elbow. Make sure it is on the upper (highest) part of the cover as possible. If the power pack is in the way, just make sure you route the hose from the fitting, upward to the top of the engine, then loop it back down to the cowl fitting. 321885 is a cowl fitting for that vintage, but newer ones will also work. Make sure the elbow does not protrude so far into the outer cover, that it hits the inner cover, restricting water flow to the fitting.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Installing a tell-tale on '77 Johnson 85hp

If you install the elbow in the top of the block, right above #1, you'll not only get the tattle tale but you'll vent the cooling system as well.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Installing a tell-tale on '77 Johnson 85hp

So, I checked and there's no existing plugs. On to plan B drilling and tapping.

Dhadley, you're suggesting placing it above #1 on the block. Unfortunately, that's right where the coils sit and there's not much room there to put anything, unless I go back even further which would require removing the flywheel. I'm really hoping to make this an easy mod. There's probably room there on the head, will that do the same thing?

I'm liking the exhaust cover idea since there's lots of room there.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Installing a tell-tale on '77 Johnson 85hp

If there is a unused threaded protrusion on the side of the starboard cylinder bank, near the top, you can go in there.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Installing a tell-tale on '77 Johnson 85hp

I think I saw that. I'll have to check what's around it. The coils all mount on top of the block in a fairly bulky bracket. That removes a lot of options for placing an elbow, but I think that spot might be clear. Anyway, I now have at least three options. I know there's nothing around the exhaust cover, so that's my fallback plan.

Nice thing about the threaded hole is I can just drill a smaller hole and use the threads. Are those pipe threads by any chance?

 

[iwombat]

Re: Installing a tell-tale on '77 Johnson 85hp

Looking at the parts diagram (I'm not anywhere near the motor in question) there's something (that I remember as a threaded mount) on the side of the block at the top of the starboard side, right where you suggest. If memory serves, that's nicely accessable. I think I now have "plan A".

Thanks

 

[jtexas]

Re: Installing a tell-tale on '77 Johnson 85hp

you might be able to find some useful info here, starting at step 2:

 

[Indymike]

Re: Installing a tell-tale on '77 Johnson 85hp

I think this is the location that Dhadley and ezeke are refering to.

Picture

 

[iwombat]

Re: Installing a tell-tale on '77 Johnson 85hp

It's the rough equivalent of where emdsapmgr is suggesting. This is for a 3-cylinder and mine is a V-4. Still, it's not too hard to make the translation.

Dhadley is suggesting the top of block above cylinder #1.

Ezeke is suggesting the side of the block on cylinder #2 (if I have my cylinder locations correct).

Looking at the heads:
1 2
3 4

Right?

 

[ezeke]

Re: Installing a tell-tale on '77 Johnson 85hp

The #1 cylinder is the highest one, which is where you want to put your outlet, so that if any air is trapped in the cooling system, it will go out with the water at the top.
____1
2
____3
4

 

[iwombat]

Re: Installing a tell-tale on '77 Johnson 85hp

Ah, so I had 'em flipped. Figgures.

So the threaded and not drilled-through hole is on the side of cylinder#1 (starboard). There's really not much in the way of options with clearance on the top of #1.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Installing a tell-tale on '77 Johnson 85hp

Some of the motors had a flat, round, raised spot there, some had the protruding piece. I saw a few where people drilled through with a 1/8 drill and used 1/4 " OD brass fittings for the hose.

If the threaded piece is/were not there, I think that I would tap it for the OMC/BRP Plastic 90 degree fitting.

Give me an email address and I'll send a picture and diagram. My email address is attached to my user name.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Installing a tell-tale on '77 Johnson 85hp

You have mail.