1971 Johnson 85 HP – Worth a rebuild?

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  • March 7, 2016 at 1:36 am #3781
    shoestringmariner
    Participant

      Hey guys, I’m considering buying an old Richardson that comes with a 1971 85hp Johnson that needs a "rebuild"
      I checked to see if rebuild kits are still available and found they are close to $1k USD. WOW. I’d imagine I could be $2K by time said and done
      Are they worth it? Are they good motors?
      This motor has power tilt if that has any bearing as a rebuild candidate

      Thanks in advance

      March 7, 2016 at 8:49 am #33054
      frankr
      Participant

        US MEMBER PAY BY CHECK

        They were good motors. However, "needs a rebuild" means nothing. What’s important is what is wrong with it that needs a rebuild. Is a cylinder trashed beyond hope? Is the crankcase full of rusted bearings? How about the lower unit? BTW, that is Hydro Electric shift. Don’t let that scare you, Hydro Electric was a good system. However, parts for that can be expensive. For instance, the shift switch in the remote control goes for $300 U.S. The electric cable leading down to the lower unit $200. And how about the rest of the electrical system? The ignition amplifier is $400. I seriously doubt the stuff I just mentioned are included in any "kit".

        BTW, if there is any part of that motor I’m not fond of, it is the ignition system. State of the art in it’s day, but not certainly not today.

        So….bottom line is what’s wrong with it, and what else is wrong with it. Or, is the rest of the rig worth the price if you junk the motor?

        March 7, 2016 at 11:39 am #33055
        frankr
        Participant

          US MEMBER PAY BY CHECK

          Even if the motor turns out to be beyond repair, it is still worth something for parts on e-bay. If you should be so lucky as to have an SST prop on it, that alone is worth a nice stack of Loonies.

          March 7, 2016 at 12:56 pm #33059
          crosbyman
          Participant

            Canada Member

            Loony… 1 Canadian dollar (with a loon on it) worth 75 cents in the US…. 😡

            Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

            March 7, 2016 at 1:54 pm #33061
            fleetwin
            Participant

              US Member

              I’m with Frank, go ahead and buy it if the boat is something you really want. A good gearcase will fetch some money. But, I would not recommend "rebuilding" this engine. Yes, they were great engines, but electrical pieces will be expensive and tough to find.
              Like Frank says, "needs a rebuild" could mean just about anything, so try to find out exactly what is wrong with it. Do a compression test on it if you can. Perhaps you will luck out and find that its problems are not that major.

              March 7, 2016 at 4:52 pm #33064
              jeff-register
              Participant

                US Member - 2 Years

                ShoeString,

                These guys have many years experience working on OMC type machines. I would agree with them & move forward very carefully. I hope your motor needs little to be good again. I have a 1979 Evinrude 85hp & I pray it stays running well too.

                March 7, 2016 at 7:18 pm #33068
                1946zephyr
                Participant

                  I wouldn’t go through the expense of a rebuild, either. Because you will be into the motor, a lot more than it’s worth. I would just seek out a running powerhead from one of the members here or on ebay.

                  March 8, 2016 at 1:12 am #33091
                  shoestringmariner
                  Participant

                    Wow, you guys are terrific, thanks very much for the help! I’m proceeding very carefully…if at all

                    March 8, 2016 at 1:12 am #33092
                    shoestringmariner
                    Participant

                      I’m starting to see why it is up for grabs again….

                      March 8, 2016 at 6:44 pm #33122
                      1946zephyr
                      Participant
                        quote ShoestringMariner:

                        Wow, you guys are terrific, thanks very much for the help! I’m proceeding very carefully…if at all

                        We’re your friends. Friends don’t let friends loose too much money on repair bills 😀 😀

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