Opinions on an 85hp Johnson

[rook]

I'm thinking of looking at an 85hp Johnson, not sure on the year but I know it's pre '79. Any opinions on this particular engine...should I bother? also would I notice any significant difference from the 55 horse (same vintage) I'm running now on a 20ft aluminum???<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Sean

 

[DJ]

Re: Opinions on an 85hp Johnson

Great engine as long as it is a '73' or newer.<br /><br />The 73 and newer had hydro mechanical shifting as opposed to electric. There is an easy way to tell if it is Powershift II (preferred). There should be two cables coming from the control box. One cable moves the the throttle linkage, the other the gear shift.<br /><br />One cable models are electric shift-NOT preferred.<br /><br />You will see a huge difference in power from a 55. The 85's were real workhorses.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Opinions on an 85hp Johnson

DJ is correct on this. If it was a well taken care of engine, it will be a good one. Parts are still pretty easy to get also. I ran the He*l out of one on a Bass Boat in the late seventies and early eighties. WOT all the time, and I only had one coil failure in all that time. It had a bazillion hours on it when I got it and I ran it for two more years. LIKE A ROCK!

 

[bubbakat]

Re: Opinions on an 85hp Johnson

I have a 1976 evenrude 85 and I can truthfully say I like this engine . I run it on a 16 ft. bass rig and it has all the power I need. My brother ran it for 28 years like he stole it. <br />I run the hound out of it now and only thing I had to do was tune it up and rebuil carbs and new water pump, but it is a good motor.<br /><br />

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[snapperbait]

Re: Opinions on an 85hp Johnson

"electric shift-NOT preferred."<br /><br />I second DJ's thoughts on the electric shift..

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Opinions on an 85hp Johnson

Ver sturdy, well built engine. If properly maintained, seems like they last forever.

 

[rook]

Re: Opinions on an 85hp Johnson

Thanks guys for all your imput but the motor sold before I could get there, guess I'll have to keep lookin'.

 

[rschnack]

Re: Opinions on an 85hp Johnson

sgd,<br /><br /> Don't feel too bad. I had a 1970. It was a very good motor. It would really launch the 16' fiberglass runabout it was on. It would not idle well though, and it would consume large amounts of gas. When the boat gave out I parted it out. I went to list the motor at a local marina and they wouldn't bother with it. They said these motors were known to be pigs when it came to fuel and they couldn't hardly sell them. I ended up selling mine for $250.00. <br />RCS