What year 85 HP Johnson

[STARCRAFT75]

Just picked up a donar boat with an 85 HP Johnson Outboard.
The seller said it was an 1986. Looked at it and was pretty sure it was not that new.
Well we did a compression check and all 4 were between 118 -120 psi. Pulled the lower unit plug and drained some fluid out , looked good - not milky, seller started it in a barrel and we shifted it .
Bought it to power my 1975 Glastron GT 160 rebuild project ( wanted something around the same vintage) now trying to determine the exact year?
The power trim unit has a sticker but it is a different color and does not appear original
From the decals and Internet searches I think it is a 1977
I have read about a freeze plug with numbers on the power head ,but I can not locate it.
Sorry for the long post any help would be greatly appreciated , Thank You

 

[racerone]

----Midsection is a 1986 model.----Powerhead is not an 86 model more like a 77 model.----Likely swap was made for power trim parts.

 

[racerone]

Hopefully they swapped some other parts too.----Powerhead gasket to exhaust adapter is not the same for these 2 models.

 

[STARCRAFT75]

Wow. Did I buy some hopdee motor. Was hoping to order a Impellor kit and a carb rebuild kit.
Not understanding the gasket difference ? Is there still a way to determine the actual power head year and lower unit year to get this motor in running condition? And order correct parts ? Thanks CS

Will buy

 

[racerone]

The motor is a 1977 model.------Based on ignition parts and paint colour.----The 1976 and earlier models were GREEN .---So there.

 

[STARCRAFT75]

The motor is a 1977 model.------Based on ignition parts and paint colour.----The 1976 and earlier models were GREEN .---So there

 

[STARCRAFT75]

Thank you for your replay.
So ordering a carburator rebuild kit for a 77 regardless of model ought to work for me?
And An impeller kit for a 86 is what I need ?
Sorry for my confusing outboard seems likeI have some more research to do.
Would buy an repair manual when I figure out the differences in a 77-86 upper lower unit combination - Whew!
Thanks CS

Would

 

[racerone]

Take water pump apart FIRST.----Post pictures.------Pictures of water pump parts and impeller drive key.----Pictures of shift linkages on front of block.---All easy.

 

[STARCRAFT75]

Took the lower unit off. Now trying do verify the year impeller kit I need to order.
Is it a 1977 or some other year?
I ordered a service manual but did not get it yet.
Any help greatly appreciated

 

[racerone]

I think it was clearly stated that it was a 1977 model so why do you still doubt that ?

 

[STARCRAFT75]

Sorry do not mean to be doubtful or disrespectful.
Was mentioned in previous post to post pictures of impeller etc.
Gues I am just being overly concerned about ordering the correct parts.
I will go ahead and order the 1977 version of the impeller kit and carb kit.
One question does the shift shaft seal normally come with the full impeller kit. Mine looks shot.
Thank You.

 

[racerone]

The shift shaft seal is an o-ring.-----You can not see that item without removing that cover !!-----Perhaps you are confusing function of parts.----Does this gearcase shift to FORWARD with a DOWN motion of the shift rod ?

 

[STARCRAFT75]

yes the shift rod does shift up and down.The piece or rubber seal?
Was pushed down over the shift rod were it enters the case ?
Picture attached
Thanks

 

[racerone]

Yes I know the shift rod goes up and down !!----But does it shift to FORWARD with a DOWN motion ?----That was my question !!----That rubber piece you describe has really noting to do with keeping water out of the oil.

 

[oldboat1]

Don't know if you ordered the impeller kit yet, but it looks to me like all you need this time around is the impeller -- think I would get one with a brass center if that's available (maybe your's is a hint at the year (?), but probably not.) The price difference is substantial between a full kit and just the impeller.

Also, the right hand coil in the picture looks like it is upside down. I don't know if that might affect function -- cramps the fit at the plug.

It's late, but I didn't see a shift handle on the motor. Is it possible somebody attached a mechanical gearcase to an electric shift model? Remote control only, maybe. (I'll quietly slip up to bed now....)

 

[racerone]

???------No that was not an electric shift motor !!!----Electric shift was last produced in 1972 !!--Motors that were painted green.------And it is impossible to fit a mechanical shift to an electric shift motor.----Crankshaft splines were different !

 

[STARCRAFT75]

Yes the gearcase shifts into Forward with the shift rod pushed all the way down?

 

[oldboat1]

So you need a shift mechanism at powerhead that pushes the rod down when the shift lever is moved forward.

 

[racerone]

There is nothing wrong with lower unit or linkages on this 1977 model 85 HP.----The transom bracket was switched out to put modern power trim tilt on it !!!!

 

[STARCRAFT75]

Well I went ahead and ordered a impeller / carb kit.
Now before it gets here I want to pressure test the gearcase
Was going to buy a brake bleeder kit from HF but reading the reviews they are junkie. Read there were instructions in the Adult Only Section , but that does not seam to be working. Looking for an inexpensive way to do it.
Does anyone have plans on building my own? I run a hardware store so I have access to many parts. Own and have compressors , hand pumps ,tubing etc.
Thank You,