Adding Tell Tale to Johnson V4

[ddrieck]

I was looking through some of the old FAQ's and stumbled across a post about adding a tell tale to older Johnson outbaords.
I have an older 1976 85hp V4 and if I am reading the post correctly it doesn't have a factory tell tale.

So, I have decide to add one as noted in the post, however, my engine does not have the boss as stated. Could I add the tell tale in the top of the head where I have placed a red X?

 

[iwombat]

Re: Adding Tell Tale to Johnson V4

It's better to put it in the crankcase than the head, in my opinion. Your location is basically right, just move it back behind the coil mount on the crankcase (that's where I put mine).

 

[STRATOS BASSN]

Re: Adding Tell Tale to Johnson V4

Hey. please let me know how that works out for you. i have a johnson 1976 135 and would like to put one on mine also. but i don't want to mess it up.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Adding Tell Tale to Johnson V4

Look at the right side of your engine, just above the top intake by-pass cover. Is there a 1/8" pipe plug? If there is, use that.

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: Adding Tell Tale to Johnson V4

This is where I put mine.

 

[fishhard]

Re: Adding Tell Tale to Johnson V4

I have a 1975 85 rude and followed the post in faq, it worked great no problems at all. The line should go to the starboard cylinder top just as the post describes this allows any trapped air at the top of the cylinders to escape insuring greater cooling.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Adding Tell Tale to Johnson V4

There are thousands of these old engines around. Why not find an exhaust cover from a later model and just swap it out.

 

[STRATOS BASSN]

Re: Adding Tell Tale to Johnson V4

Replacing the head is an option also. i looked over mine, and i don't have any inlet plugs for it. so drilling it out would be my only option. Or replacing the the cover which i would rather not do. How simple is it to drill and tap? Keeping in consideration that without removing the head you will be drilling blind.

 

[dreadinger]

Re: Adding Tell Tale to Johnson V4

I just installed mine on my 1975 115hp and used the excellent instructions from this forum. I installed it right behind the port side coil. Be careful on your terminology here, there is not any water cooling in the crankcase area!