Johnson 25 starter rope and other stuff

[302suawdust]

Last fall I picked up a 14? aluminum runabout with a 1969 Johnson 25hp outboard. The motor ran Ok in the tank but I like more than OK. So I?..

-Drained the oil in the gear box and replaced with new oil (old oil was not milky) I also replaced the O rings on the drain and fill plugs
-Replace the water pump impeller and the rubber piece the joins the output of the water pump to the water line leading to the power head.
-Purchased and installed a rebuild kit for the fuel pump (you need about 5 hands to put that thing back together BTW )
-Replaced the oil lines on power head as they were brittle
-Measured the compression both cylanders were within about 6lbs
-Installed new plugs and gapped to .030?
-Installed new points and condensers and gapped to .020? Coils looked good and I have a strong spark now so I did not replace them. Plug wires seemed OK so I did not replace those either.
-replaced thermostat and associated gaskets
-cleaned carb installed carb kit including new float
-Fuel hoses/line on power head seemed plyable and in good shape so I left it
-Fuel hose and bulb from tank is only one season old according to previous owner (and it looks about right for one season)
-replace the tilt bushings as they were nearly worn out
-greased all grease points

Now here are my two questions:

What have I missed to make sure my old motor is in tip top shape for summer?

I want to replace the pull rope and clean/re-grease the recoil spring (I assume it is greased). I have read lots of good info on doing this on iboats but I am left with one question. Can I purchase a similar braded rope of the same diameter from any hardware store or is there something special about the OMC rope? (I would like to purchase a spare to have at the same time)


Oh and the motor runs very nice now
The next few weeks or so will be spent on the boat itself and then hopefully the water will be soft by then or soon after.

 

[Rick.]

Re: Johnson 25 starter rope and other stuff

I buy starter rope from a local tool rental shop but I have seen it at the odd hardware store as well. Sounds like your ready to enjoy a care free summer of boating. Good work. Rick.

 

[remus martinez]

Re: Johnson 25 starter rope and other stuff

i need some help to fid out what year and gas ratio for my 15 hp johnson model# 15R74S

 

[steelespike]

Re: Johnson 25 starter rope and other stuff

You should allways post your own thread.Hijacking a thread can become very confusing for all involved.Your Fuel mix is 50:1 use TCW3 rated oil.

 

[rabeck5792]

Re: Johnson 25 starter rope and other stuff

1974,50:1,seems to me that the starter rope you get from the dealer is a little bit stiffer and doesnt wear as quick.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Johnson 25 starter rope and other stuff

Hardware store rope is a no-no on outboards. It will wear out in a flash.
Sounds like you got yourself a good motor. I wish I had a '69. Fast and light!
good luck,
JBJ

 

[ezeke]

Re: Johnson 25 starter rope and other stuff

The #204055 rope for your engine is 7/32" cut from OMC/BRP #316705 which has been superseded by part #772578.

The parts list calls for 72-1/4" but later SB#1244 lists 75-3/4". I would buy 80" and allow for adjustments.

BTW, I have owned a lot of lawn mowers that were started quite frequently compared to my outboard motors; I can't remember breaking a starter rope. If you should decide to use hardware store rope, 7/32 rope is called #7.

 

[302suawdust]

Re: Johnson 25 starter rope and other stuff

Thanks guys,
I will get my hands on the OMC stuff. Sounds like that is the smartest way to go. The rope that is on there now is a little frayed so I would like to just start over with a known good one.

This is my first boat and although turning wrenches on engines is not foreign to me by any means (farm boy) outboards are a brand new challenge for me. I am really surprised at how small the engine is to be called a 25hp even in regards to other outboards that I have seen.

Thanks again,
Ian