What to do first? 65 HP Johnson

[rvest]

My neighbor gave me a 1982 Stryker 15' with a 1972 or 1973 65 hp, 3 cyl. Johnson on it. He said that it has been sitting in his back yard for 7 or 8 years. I'm some what of a shade tree mechanic for automobiles, but know very little about outboard motors. I've removed the gas tank and have been told to junk it and not to try to clean it. I'm not sure what to check out or how.<br />I have bought a Seloc manual on the motor. I'm trying to find some good advice and was happy to come across this web site.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: What to do first? 65 HP Johnson

Just as any engine! start with the basic's. You will have to be more clear as to just what you have to work with.

 

[rvest]

Re: What to do first? 65 HP Johnson

Thanks for the reply. What do you mean by "what do you have to work with?" Here is some more info. The last time it was run it wouldn't shift out of drive. All the wiring is disconnected, no batteries. Does the carbs need to be cleaned before trying to turn it over? I don't won't to do more damage than is already there. I'm just trying to get a game plan together. For what it is worth the motor looks very clean, but I know it wasn't winterized. The gas tank looked pretty bad.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: What to do first? 65 HP Johnson

First! you are going to need a manual to get a grasp of how every thing works. The engine has not been run for 7, or 8 years, and was put away with a gearcase problem. I would try to get it running first, and try to get some history from the previos owner. Start by hooking a battery to it. Do a spark, and compression test. Don't throw money at it till you have some idea of what you are dealing with. You can't hurt it by doing the basic test's. If you find the engine sound, you are looking at rebuilding the carb's, replacing the water pump, repairing the gearcase at the very least.

 

[alden135]

Re: What to do first? 65 HP Johnson

Hey Ronnie, The folks on this site are very knowledgeable and have been a great help to so many of us. That being said they will need you to post some info most importantly your model #. Second, I suggest you buy a real manual specific to your engine as I have found mine to be much better than the 1-1000 hp 1901-present books. I bought mine from marine engine .com in Vermont. Don't even try to start that thing till you get more advice as you could make a repairable motor junk real quick. I'm no expert but I did stay at a Holiday Express last night. - John

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: What to do first? 65 HP Johnson

One way or the other! you are going to have to see if that engine will run, or be made to run.The only thing you could damage would be the water pump impellor by running it without supplying water to it. That water pump will need replacement anyway. Make sure you don't get the battery cables turned around.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: What to do first? 65 HP Johnson

The first thing you need to do is stop the aging. Drain the lower unit and see what comes out, i.e. milky, brownish, filings, metal particles. If no metal, refill with proper lube. Bring back to the message board what you find.<br /><br />Second, if you can, lay engine on it's back and remove spark plugs. Squirt in some TCW3 and allow to soak before trying to start to loosen any stuck rings, lube cylinder walls, etc. Don't be stingy, any excess will move down to crankshaft area.

 

[papasage]

Re: What to do first? 65 HP Johnson

first of is it is a eletric shift probabley and it will stay in foward still the motor cranks or spinn fast enough to put power to the foot.does it have 1 cable from the throddle leaver. a eletric shift will have onley one and a set of buttons to put in gear . i have a shop manul that covers all 1972 and i havent sen a 65 section in it . i maight have taken it out . post the modle # and we can tell papasage

 

[papasage]

Re: What to do first? 65 HP Johnson

yes i found the section . the 1972 would 65ESL72or 65ES72 the L is for long shalft ES is eletric shift

 

[papasage]

Re: What to do first? 65 HP Johnson

i got a 65 hp mercuray it sat for over 7 years i pulled the plugs and put some oil in each cylinder ans turned it over and let it sit for a while pulled the carbs cleaned them .it firef off and ran some but had to replace the coil . then it cranked at a tuch of the key you probabley need a kit for them. the carbs are verry simple so a good cleaning might be all that they need .some parts can be got from napa auto parts . my 55 hp evinrude sat for 7 years and ran good after a little work and a few trips to the lake . the carbs wasent bad . but it wasent run much after a carb rebuild . had to replace the fuel pump . the merc. had to be replaced to and all the lines. papasage

 

[rvest]

Re: What to do first? 65 HP Johnson

Hey guys! Thanks for the replys. I'm off this weekend and plan on working on my new project.The model # 65ESL-728, the last digit I couln't find anything on either. BoatBuoy "TCW3"? Can you elaborate on this, I'm not familiar with it. The motor is still attached to the boat. Also the tilt and trim has been broken off all that remains is one hydraulic cylinder and a bucket full of parts what I think is the motor, I know this is the least of my worries at this point. I will be in touch.

 

[Harker]

Re: What to do first? 65 HP Johnson

Ronnie, the TCW3 is the oil that you mix with gas for the engine. Put some in an oil can and stick the nozzle in through the spark plug holes and spritz the heck out of it trying to get all around the piston..since the motor is still on the boat tilt it up as high as it will go and lower the tongue jack as far is it will go down so you get the cylinders as "level" as you can. Let it soak good then bump the starter with the plugs removed to free up the pistons and rings..don't crank it a lot because the bearings may be dry also. Good luck.

 

[rvest]

Re: What to do first? 65 HP Johnson

So much for being off this weekend I got called out yesterday. I did get a chance to drain the lower gear box. The looked black not milky with a few water droplets on the bottom of the pan and very fine metal shavings that seemed to be normal. I got some marine outboard gearoil couldn't find type C. I was told that they don't make it anymore. Ok what is the trick to filling the gear box up? I also put some TCW3 in the cylinders and let it soak and was able to turn the flywheel by hand. Some of the gear oil ran out of the carbs. Going to get a compression gauge and check the compression and do a spark test.

 

[rvest]

Re: What to do first? 65 HP Johnson

I also noticed some of the linkages are missing from the carbs. I'll be back after while going to get some shut eye.

 

[alden135]

Re: What to do first? 65 HP Johnson

If that motor is electric shift you can only use type c or premium blend gear lube in the gearcase. It is still available as all us elec shift people use it. Reg gear oil does not work. Don't use ultra hpf or 80w90.

 

[rvest]

Re: What to do first? 65 HP Johnson

Ok I soaked the cylinders with TCW3. Then performed a compression test that came out as 140#,140#, and 135#. Checked for spark on the plugs and all had spark. Hooked up water to the lower end and got the motor to turn over, but never could get the water to exit and wasn't quite sure where it would exit. I didn't want to let it run more than 10 - 15 seconds at time. The drive seemed to slip in and out of drive?

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: What to do first? 65 HP Johnson

Until the thermostat opens, you'll only get a little water coming out of the center of the prop - so that's OK. Be sure it doesn't get too hot, though, you should be able to rest your fingers on the cylinders for 2-3 seconds (roughly 140 degrees F) when it's fully warmed up. No hotter than that.

 

[rvest]

Re: What to do first? 65 HP Johnson

I started the motor back up and then thermostat opened up and water was circulating. Amazingly the motor sounds pretty good. I noticed with the engine off the prop is engaged but as it runs it will go into neutral. Is this normal? I shifted into reverse and prop rotated in reverse then back to neutral and it stopped. So far so good. <br /><br />Any suggestions on what I need to check out next?