Someone tell me about a '69 Johnson 100hp.

[Red Rider]

I have a chance to get a 1969 Johnson 100hp outboard for a reasonable price from a relative. The motor hasn't been run in 24 years, (since the death of the original owner), and it was fogged with oil when it was put up. The plugs were removed and oil sprayed in the cylinders, with the spark plugs put back in finger tight, covered and kept inside a garage. I unscrewed the spark plugs and turned the motor over by hand. It turns freely, and I can't feel any tight spots. <br /><br />I don't think that this motor ever had a lot of use. The paint under the cover looks like it just came off the show room floor. Heck it even has most of the paint on the prop. I am pretty sure the motor is in good mechanical condition.<br /><br />I guess my question is. What is the reputation of this motor? Was it a good reliable motor, or was it a lemon? I don't mind putting some work/money into it, if they were good motors, but if they were dogs, I'll pass. The motor will be used in a displacement hull workboat, probably at ½ throttle or less, as a lot of speed isn't possible.

 

[JB]

Re: Someone tell me about a '69 Johnson 100hp.

Howdy, Red.<br /><br />I had a '68 Johnny 100. It was neither bulletproof nor lemon. I used it for 12 years.<br /><br />The only repair necessary in that time was a replacement flywheel. The rest was routine preventive maintenance.<br /><br />It was, like all outboards (except the Homelites) of that era, smoky and thirsty. <br /><br />When I replaced it with a looper Johnny 70 in 1980 I gained speed and used much less fuel.<br /><br />You don't say what a "reasonable" price is, but consider where you will be able to get parts if you need them.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[ajp]

Re: Someone tell me about a '69 Johnson 100hp.

I have been running a 1969 115hp Johnson for a year and a 1/2 and I think it is a very good motor. Not the most gas efficient, crossflow. But fairly simple to work on and it runs great, now. The owner before me had trouble with it flooding all the time due to weak spark. I finally found the trouble in the wiring for the air gap sensor. The powerpack wasn't being signaled to fire often enough. Fixed that($0.00) and the motor runs great. Most parts are available on-line somewhere. www.seilermarine.com has the electrical parts at a reasonable price.<br /><br />I really enjoy fishing on my 1969 Glastron deckboat with the original 1969 Johnson 115hp motor.

 

[JB]

Re: Someone tell me about a '69 Johnson 100hp.

Hi, AJP.<br /><br />Nice to hear that not everyone is freaked out by an engine being 33 years old. <br /><br />Those old locomotives were good engines and with good care are still good engines.

 

[BJM]

Re: Someone tell me about a '69 Johnson 100hp.

Assuming this motor is basically the same as the V4 80 hp of the same year then I would say its a neat engine. My own has trouble with the head gasket blowing. The water pump was trashed by the original owner. You cannot beat the cool drone at WOT those old motors make. <br /><br />Overall though my 92 115 Mariner is way easier on gas, and makes almost no smoke. The old motors really smell and smoke a lot.<br /><br />My vote is to go newer. BTW I used to be firmly in the camp of fixing up everything, but nowadays I have a lot less time to fuss with things.

 

[mrc]

Re: Someone tell me about a '69 Johnson 100hp.

As owner of that model lines 85hp I like em.<br /><br />They are overbuilt. (read heavy and sturdy)<br /><br />They are electric shift which some people don't like<br />although it is a pretty decent design as long as <br />you make sure it doesn't leak water and put the<br />right lower unit lube in it (Look for "Type C" or<br />Electric shift lower unit oil).<br /><br />They are straight forward to work on. Not sure if<br />the 100hp has the 115hp ignition or the 85hp ignition.<br />The 85 uses breakers and the 115 used electronic sensors. Some people converted the 115 to breakers.<br /><br />The battery CD ignition is expensive to replace and<br />is known as a weak point. Use a good fresh battery. Keep an eye on ebay for replacement electronics.<br /><br />Going rate appears to be around 500-900$ on ebay<br />for a complete motor of that type/vintage in good running condition.<br /><br />Hope that helps. <br /><br />Mike

 

[Red Rider]

Re: Someone tell me about a '69 Johnson 100hp.

Thanks for all the replies. I will take a chance on it. If it doesn't run, I can probably sell the parts on E-Bay for more than I am paying for it. It really is a good deal. Heck I have all winter to work on it.<br /><br />As far as ordering parts are concerned, there is a local marina that has the original John/Rude parts books going back to the 1950's. I have a 1966 Rude 6hp and a 1971 Rude 9½hp that I salveged from a junk pile, when I took a Outboard Repair Course at the local Community Collage. I was able to order new parts through the marina, and rebuild both of them.

 

[miloman]

Re: Someone tell me about a '69 Johnson 100hp.

I had a 64 33 evinrude and currently run a 73 50 evinrude I am a firm beliver in these motors no there are not bulletproof (what motor is) but with a good manual almost any problem can be overcome with a reasonable cost involved What are they asking for it they are worth about 700 to 900 with the controls included so if its less then that go forit the one thing that might need adressing is the carb but thats about it