Please help me with my new motor (long rambling novel inside)

[TeamPSI]

Sorry in advance, but this is going to be a novel with a lot of questions…


Not too long ago I saw a boat on craigslist that interested me. It was a 1975 Crestliner Muskie 15’ with an 85hp 1978 Chrysler outboard on it. The guy wanted 1200 bucks for the boat, motor, and trailer. I made the guy a deal that went as follows, I would take the boat out for a test run and if I like it I would buy it for $800. The guy cranked the motor for me and it ran perfectly. No problems.

I decided to re-wire the trailer, change the lower unit oil, change the plugs, etc.

So I go to the lake…
The motor cranked right up and we trolled out past the flat wake area. As soon as I passed the buoys I ramped the throttle to full and the boat planed out and was moving, FAST. Just a few seconds later the engine quit and had overheated. Myself being a noobie, I didn’t know to replace the water pump and/or impeller. So anyway, the compression in that Chrysler is DONE. The motor had a HEAT sensor on it, but shouldn’t there have been a buzzer that went off when it got hot?

At this point, my wife is terribly let down. She wanted nothing more than to hit the water and have some fun. She’s wanted a boat for a long time, but they’ve just been too expensive for us.

The guy and I worked out a deal to purchase the boat (and blown motor) for $300, which I was happy to do as the boat is actually pretty nice.

So now that I have a boat with no motor I hit EBay. I find myself a 1971 Johnson 85hp motor #85ESL-71A. I don’t really know much about it, but for the price it seemed like the best thing I could do. I called some local marine shop and they said that they wouldn’t be worried about the reliability of the old motor at all. The seller informed me that the motor ran just great and that I shouldn’t have any problems with it. The compression of each cylinder is between 120 and 125. I paid $330 for the motor, $125 to have him go ahead and do the water pump and impeller, and $175 to ship it here.

So as it sits right now, the motor will be here next week, and I’m trying to make sure I’m ready for it when it arrives. I need to have it in and working ASAP because my wife’s birthday is coming up in two weeks and she wants to go boating/camping for her birthday.

Now for some questions I guess:

1. The steering on the Chrysler motor had a cable that bolted in and through the motor mount bracket. Will the Johnson have the same type setup? If I need to buy anything what will it be? This is the most confusing part to me at this time. This is probably because I haven’t actually seen the motor in person yet.

2. Should I expect this to be a stronger engine than the Chrysler? What about reliability?

3. Does the Johnson have a temperature sensor system? If not, can I add one? I don’t want another burn up motor.

4. I have seen a manual for this motor on marineengine.com but they’re sort of pricey. Is there a better place to order the manual for this motor?

5. Should the motor just bolt right up through the existing holes in the transom or?

6. Is there anything I should be checking or doing to the motor before I just go mount it up and run it? I’m really nervous now that I’ve burnt up and engine in no time.

7. I know the motor is an electric shift and that I need to run Type-C gear oil, but is there anything else I need to know about the electric shift? Is this a problematic system?

I do apologize for such a blabbering rant, but I just REALLY want to be able to take my wife out and have a good time no matter what.

 

[TeamPSI]

Re: Please help me with my new motor (long rambling novel inside)

 

[F_R]

Re: Please help me with my new motor (long rambling novel inside)

So, did you get the remote control and wiring harness with the motor? That's part of the motor and it's useless without it. And it's different than the Chrysler.

As far as I know, the motor mounting is different.

The Johnson in the picture does not have through-the-tilt-tube steering, if that's what the Chrysler had. The Johnson requires the steering cable to be mounted to a support tube clamped to the transom. If it went thru the tilt tube on the Chrysler, it will be too long once you pull it back to work on the Johnson. That makes for friction and hard steering.

The overheat sensor shows in your picture. It's the tan wite going to the cylinder head. Test it by sliding the insulator sleeve back and ground it to the head with the ignition switch on. The horn in the control should blow (or maybe it's a red light on the dash-I'd have to check). Whichever, don't count on it warning you in time if the water pump suddenly quits. I have seen MANY a motor burn up before the horn ever went off, Just as your Chrysler did. The best protection is regular replacement of the water pump whether it needs it or not. If you've put in the plastic pump kit, you only need to replace the impeller in the future.

If he didn't change the oil in the lower unit, do so. It uses ONLY OMC?BRP Premium Blend oil, which used to be called Type C. The motor has Hydro-Electric shift which is actually shifted hydraulically, using the lube oil as hydraulic fluid. Keep the oil clean and if there is any water intrusion get the seals fixed. It is a very good system if not neglected or abused.

 

[TeamPSI]

Re: Please help me with my new motor (long rambling novel inside)

Thanks for the help!

Any idea of what I will need to buy or make to get the steering working? I tried to aske the seller to include what I needed (if the steering was different) but he didnt answer the phone. I actually bought a whole boat, so the steering was mine too. Oh well.

 

[TeamPSI]

Re: Please help me with my new motor (long rambling novel inside)

Theres the steering for the Chrysler

 

[steelespike]

Re: Please help me with my new motor (long rambling novel inside)

The motor should have had a sensor but any number of things could have caused it not to work.
Did you confirm the Chryser was shot?Sometimes an overheat results in a simple blown head gasket.
Did you run it till it seized? or did it just quit?
If the Evinrude has had decent care you are probably better off with it.Routine parts should be easier to find than those for the Chrysler.
If the electric shift has had proper care it should work fine.Improperly cared for they can be problematic and difficult to work on.You need to be sure your battery is in good shape and well charged and all connections are clean and tight.
Most likely you will have to plug old holes and drill new to mount the motor.The motor should be set up with the antiventilation plate even with the bottom of the boat.Can't tell you much about the steering setup but someone should be along with more info.
I notice the Evinrude has a hydrofoil on it. You should remove it until you have the motor set up best possible.
Then decide if you need the foil.The foil should be considered the last resort to improve performance.
You should do a search here on foils before adding one. Foils can be very effective and I have had good luck with them on 2 comepletely different boats.
But they can sometimes cause more problems than they solve.
A manual is really a must and
as far as a service manual A factory manual is best.
Sometimes you can find them at the library.You may find one on ebay as well.Also kencook.com has factory reprints but are really pricey.

 

[F_R]

Re: Please help me with my new motor (long rambling novel inside)

Go to another thread here titled Steering Bracket For Big Twin for a picture of the transom mount. Also go to trmarine.com and look at their front mount kit. It solves the too-long cable problem.

 

[TeamPSI]

Re: Please help me with my new motor (long rambling novel inside)

The Chrysler just quit. I thought about buying a head gasket for it, but I've had a few people tell me it's no use, and that it's a lot more than just the gasket. I dunno? I could try I guess.


What's an antiventilation plate?


What's a hydrofoil? Never heard of that. :doh:


Thanks for the help guys! More info is welcome thought!

 

[F_R]

Re: Please help me with my new motor (long rambling novel inside)

That rubber fish fin thing is a hydrofoil. It is supposed to help get a heavy boat up on plane. Mostly, it is looked upon with disdain by a lot of folks. "Whatever floats your boat", I guess.

The antiventilation plate is the flat metal part of the lower unit that the whale fin is attached to. Usually (improperly) called a cavitation plate. Helps to keep the propeller from sucking air from the surface (ventilation).

 

[TeamPSI]

Re: Please help me with my new motor (long rambling novel inside)

Aaah!

You know... I was hoping that the big "stupid ugly whale fin" didn;t have to stay there. I hate it just by looking t it. We'll see I guess.

Well, I guess if I get the steering handled I might be ok.

Thanks again.