Newbie Needing Advice - 25hp Johnson

[JKTrevecca]

I am looking at a 14 foot aluminum Cherokee boat with a 25 hp manual start Johnson tiller. The boat, trailer, motor, trolling motor, fish finder, and 2 new batteries are all only 550.00. The motor is a 78 or 79 model year I think.

This would be my very first boat ever. I have a lot of experience with small engines, but never marine engines.

The boat has been in a garage for 5 years w/o being used. While looking at it, we got it to start for 3-4 seconds, then it would die. We removed the fuel bowl from the carb, cleaned it up and it started and ran great.

What things should I look out for here. I think the price is right, but I don't want to miss something obvious that will cost me a lot later. Is this a durable motor? If I am comfortable rebuilding lawn mower engines will I have any troubles working on this if needed? Can I add electric start to this motor?

Thanks in advance. Any advice is welcome!

 

[utahusker]

Re: Newbie Needing Advice - 25hp Johnson

I would change plugs, wires and rubber hoses. The most important part would be a water pump change.

 

[mikesea]

Re: Newbie Needing Advice - 25hp Johnson

GOOD DEAL.Its a good little motor,it should have ther newer CD ignition with no points.You will definatly want to change the impeller and lower unit oil.That motor should not be a challange for you as for working on it.Dont be intiminated.Get yourself a manual that you can and should buy from this site.We do want to support IBOAT.The impeller is housed on the top part of the lowerunit that has 4-6 mounting bolts around it.Its been a while and model yr could be different from other yrs.But,either way ,with a manual and general socket/wrench kits ,you will not be challanged.given the age of the motor,you will likely do yourself a favor by rebuiding the carb,and fuelpump.The older rubber products dont stand up well to the newer gas ,and they deteriorate over time anyway,also the fuel hoses on the motor.It wont be a big deal.If you decide to pull the lower unit off without a manual,you will need to undo the shiftshaft.Depending on yr,there may be a small plate on the side of the midsection(piece between the lowerunit and powerhead)once removed you will see a bronze coupler with 2 7/16 screws,fine thread screws.You can remove the bottom screw,that will allow the shaft to pull free from the coupler.If you dont have the plate ,which measures like 11/2 x 2 inch.approx with .usually 2 slotted screws,the water pickup screen in the lowerunit ,once removed by removing the screws will show the coupler.That coupler is different fro the one I already described.It will have a thhreaded "gland?" that screws into a ini shaft in the lowerunit.once backed out from the lower you will see a plastic "keeper"remove it from the shaft ,that will allow the gland to b removed and lower to drop.All this will make sense when seen.The big thing on these engines isDONT FORCE ANYTHING.Alum.breaks easy.bolts stick and break.If you find a stuck bolt,often a bit of heat around the area of stuck bolt ,using MAPP gas on a bernzomatic torch usually does it.If you get in trouble,come on the site,someone will help u out.Any motor that has sat for long periods should have the carb,and fuel system cleaned well.You dont want to break down.Your impeller WILL give out ,you dont want to be miles offshore when it does.Welcome ,good luck,congrats.

 

[JKTrevecca]

Re: Newbie Needing Advice - 25hp Johnson

thanks mikesea and utah!

 

[Les Robb]

Re: Newbie Needing Advice - 25hp Johnson

It sounds like you really can't go too far wrong, I mean a new rig would cost one heck of a lot more. Price might be a little steep but at least you won't have expensive deck repair etc on the boat. Since she's been sitting for two years I would replace the water pump just for good measure. Look carefully at the trailer and any rust that might be very deep and check for signs of corosion or loose rivets on the boat.
Finally before you write the check do a compression check on the engine. I'll bet it will be good if there are no signs of overheating of the powerhead. Most outboard motors are never run close to the amount of hours they are capable of.

Good luck with your choice

 

[mikesea]

Re: Newbie Needing Advice - 25hp Johnson

Forgot about the elec start,many engines can have a starter bolted up.You would need to look at a manual .Bombardier(think I spelled it right)has a website.They bought over OMC ( evinrude JohnsoN)play around with their website,I know they have parts breakdowns for early engines as well as newer.That can help you in many ways.Depending on the way starters are mounted ,you may be able to buy a starter and bolt it up,especially if your flywheel has the necessary teeth.If not,you then need starter AND flywheel.That said.Then theses the issue with charging.Some just install the starter and recharge battery when necessary.To do it right.You then need the stator assy that goes under the flywheel.That will allow a charging circut.Then you need to run the wiring.It can become a bit complex and COSTLY.If you have that eng in great shape,it should not take more than 3 pulls to get her goin.Often you can find salvage parts on ebay,or in outboard salvage yards.If you find a starter and flywheel if needed,you can run wiring from the battery ,bot you need a switch that can handle the AMPERAGE ,the smaller 15 hp have switches that handle the amp.but a 25 hp might pull too much and you will burn out the switch.OR,you put a solonoid inline.Like a FORD car solonoid.Take small wiring from a dash switch to make your contact.I may be confusing you.Which is why I say it can become complex.The easy answer is .Yes you can put a elec.start on.The hard ??? is how you do it.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Newbie Needing Advice - 25hp Johnson

wow, that's a steal of deal.
Check the side of transom clamp for a tag showing the model number.
That way you can verify the year of your motor.

 

[JKTrevecca]

Re: Newbie Needing Advice - 25hp Johnson

You guys are all great! Thank You for the advice and support. Makes me much more comfortable making the decision to buy it! I should pick it up tomorrow or tuesday and will keep you updated. Especially if I have more questions!