Need Help All Over with 1988 Johnson 20hp

[gnarbrah]

Hi all - I just picked up a 1988 (I think - J20CRCCA) and have a ton of questions!

First I think it has been recently rebuilt as the paint on the lower unit and powerhead seems way too fresh for 1988 (see pics). It started on the first pull and ran good for about 2 or 3 minutes then I checked compression which was 118 lower and 119 upper. Is this indicative of a fresh rebuild? Compression seemed really good.

While running I put it in gear for just a few seconds forward and reverse and it shifted fine. By the time I got it home though there was quite a bit if black oily stuff coming from the prop and a mystery hole (to me). You can see it in the pic of the lower unit. Is this normal or is it something I need to look into?

Next, I can't for the life of me figure out how to tilt the motor up?? I moved the "tilt" lever to the raise position (I think) and it moves the latching device off the trim pin on the transom but it doesnt free up to raise it. I know it may be different by I have a 9.9 that has a little lever that you move up to raise and down to lower but I don't see anything like this on the 20. Am I missing something?

Lastly for now, Right above the fuel hookup there's a sticker that says 100:1
(See pic) I thought everything "these days" was 50:1???? Is this possible?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[BigB9000]

Re: Need Help All Over with 1988 Johnson 20hp

yeah, fresher paint on that guy.

compression could be normal, my 1966 has 120 per and its never been apart, its how it was taken care of.

The black **** is normal. Its a mixture of unburnt fuel/oil/whatever. Wipe it off with a rag and call it a day.

and they did a recall to those 100:1 motors, converting them to 50:1. Basically all they did was take off the 100 sticker and put on a 50:1

(i think)

 

[gnarbrah]

Re: Need Help All Over with 1988 Johnson 20hp

Thanks Big B. So running 50:1 will be fine I'm assuming. Maybe that has something to do with the large amount of black ****? Just seemed like an awful lot after running for only a couple of minutes.

If by chance it is a fresh rebuild (guy I bought it from only had it for a few months and didn't have any back info - never used it) I'm thinking it wise to run a "break in" period on it. Any thoughts on how long I should baby it just to be on the safe side?

Still have no idea how to get it tilt up. I just went out and tried again. Short of ripping it off the transom I'm stuck all the way down.

I'm also new to this primer thing in lieu of a choke. Mine seems to be very stiff when I pull it out (no pun intended). What's the procedure for starting one of these things? Pull and leave it out or pump it a few times?

Anybody have any thoughts / experience with these motors? I'm hoping they're pretty solid!

Here's some more pics:

 

[T.J.]

Re: Need Help All Over with 1988 Johnson 20hp

The lever on the swivel brackets right side is the tilt lever, if pulling after unlocking doesn't work then the guy screwed something up as far as I can tell from my diagrams. Computer chair mechanicin ain't as easy as the real deal though so I hope this helps.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need Help All Over with 1988 Johnson 20hp

try shifting to forward and tilting it. several models auto locked in neutral and reverse, unlocked in forward. also the cable may be stretched. if not just pull the tilt pin in the transom bracket, tilt it up and see what is wrong.

the oil goo, is 100% normal for a motor that has not been started in a while. it is just residue from the exhaust housing.

remove the 100:1 sticker

there should be a tilt adjusting pin here (red). do not see one. motor could just be wedged into the transom bracket. with out the pin, there is nothing for the tilt lock to connect to.

 

[gnarbrah]

Re: Need Help All Over with 1988 Johnson 20hp

Thanks for all your help.

I do have the pin - I just removed it trying to get it to tilt. The good news is shifting into forward was the trick! I would have never thought to try that - Thanks!

I haven't pulled the screws yet to check the lower unit oil but that's on my list this evening. Question here is how much "play" should be in the prop? Not rotating but pushing in and out?

Thanks again

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Need Help All Over with 1988 Johnson 20hp

As for the primer, pull it out and push it back in 2-3 times to pump some fuel into the intake. Don't leave it out... May have to pull it out a time or two after starting until the engine warms up.
- Scott