Late 70's to Late 80's - Worth shopping for?

[Berdink]

Because I had no idea the pin that holds the clutch dog in place was about to come out and chew up my gears in my 84 Suzuki, I'm asking sellers if everything else checks out, and I'm a serious buyer, would they be willing to let me open up the lower unit. If all is good in there, I'll buy it.
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Do you guys think that's an unreasonable ask?

 

[matt167]

Because I had no idea the pin that holds the clutch dog in place was about to come out and chew up my gears in my 84 Suzuki, I'm asking sellers if everything else checks out, and I'm a serious buyer, would they be willing to let me open up the lower unit. If all is good in there, I'll buy it.
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Do you guys think that's an unreasonable ask?

I would say probably. That’s a major risk and liability for them should you not take it

 

[racerone]

I doubt anyone would agree to that.

 

[Berdink]

That's why I asked.
Thanks

 

[redneck joe]

now if you ask if a mechanic could, they may be more inclined.

 

[saltchuckmatt]

Odds are in your favor if someone is selling a motor or just a gearcase it's probably not bad. If it sounds and smells fishy...that's all you need to know.

No one would probably deny you a quick vac test....compression...yada yada

 

[Berdink]

Can I expand my search to the 1990's. Do carbed 90's still have good parts availability?
What years from 1979 up of the 70hp still use carbs and still have a good user base?

 

[redneck joe]

where are you located> If we know we can help because some of us are old bored people and many of the others know way more than I do. Many of us also travel a few times a year for many driving hours in various directions and those people then also come with 'references' of past help of members.

So, i travel to SWMO from Middle TN and can haul 2k behind my little tdi...

 

[Berdink]

I live in Beavercreek, Oregon

 

[racerone]

Many parts for the older 2 stroke OMC motors are easier to get / find than many " modern " offshore motors.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, stick with a 90s or 2K 2 cycle OB, before the sophisticated electronics, fuel injection, direct injection etc. They are simple and perfected. My '98 Johnny 60* V6 is the pinnacle of 2 cycle multi cylinder engines IMHO. It has loop injection, 6 carbs or 3 triple throat carbs, depending on definition. It has good oil injection but burns a lot of fuel. It is powerful and runs great. Any issue is usually simple to diagnose and fix.

70s and 80s motors tend to be crossflow and are pretty long in the tooth for parts.

 

[redneck joe]

oh heck in the PNW ( i grew up there) OMC was all the ones used you should be finding stuff everywhere?

 

[saltchuckmatt]

Yes I live in Seattle, the Washington state/Oregon area has tons of outboards.

Should be a fairly easy find.

 

[Berdink]

I've been watching lots of YouTube videos. There is a lot of videos out there for these.
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I've been telling friends I wish there was a Small Block Chevy in the outboard world. The Johnson is it.
There's full rebuild kits for $600.
And people rebuild them in their garage. I'm excited to find one and get started.
I'm thinking of getting two, and rebuild one for fun.
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Thanks again for all the help here.

 

[racerone]

Interchangeability is magic on some V-4 motors.----I ran a basket case 1962 75 HP with a 1966 100 hp powerhead.----The engine had 1970 model 115HP pistons installed.----Ran over 6000 RPM.----Once passed a boat with an actual 62 75 HP.----At the dock they asked what year my motor was.-----I explained what I had done.----Owner said " wow " in amazement.

 

[saltchuckmatt]

The last outboard machine shop closed their doors last year in our area. You will have to look long and hard on where to send and parts that need machining.

 

[jimmbo]

Interchangeability is magic on some V-4 motors.----I ran a basket case 1962 75 HP with a 1966 100 hp powerhead.----The engine had 1970 model 115HP pistons installed.----Ran over 6000 RPM.----Once passed a boat with an actual 62 75 HP.----At the dock they asked what year my motor was.-----I explained what I had done.----Owner said " wow " in amazement.

1970 115 Pistons? that would require more than a 0.60 overbore
1966 100hp 3.375" X 2.5" 89.5 inches cubed
1970 115hp 3.438" X 2.588" 96.1 inches cubed

1970 115 pistons with a 66 100hp crank, the final result would have been 92.83 inches cubed, close to what the 1970 85hp or 1971 100hp, which was 92.6, using the 3.375 Bore, and the 2.588 Stroke

 

[redneck joe]

I'm thinking of getting two, and rebuild one for fun.

do it. Make mistakes and learn on the first one then the second (and subsequent) will be the better for it

 

[Berdink]

The 49 cube 70 ( 60 prop rated ) from 1979 to 1988. ...clip...

I grabbed a quote from you from another thread.
Why the 49ci vs the 56ci?

 

[Berdink]

Alright, I looked at several motors. Most were needing too much.
I just happened to refresh my FB search sort by newest.
It's a 1994 Johnson 90hp.

Besides an impeller, what else should i buy to freshen it for it's first trip out?