Did i destroy my 1981 Johnson 35HP Seahorse?

[sutor623]

Depends on the years. All I know is that in '96 they switched from the round red plug, to the square plug. Not sure about your year range.

If you have the hydraulic steering rod on your boat it should be universal.

 

[bonz_d]

All steering and controls will pug and play.

 

[oldboat1]

pretty good area for motors there, and pretty good time of year to look. Value depends on condition. $650 seems a little steep -- may not be, depending on condition. If buying a running motor, need to see and hear it running.

 

[Ihateclevernames]

pretty good area for motors there, and pretty good time of year to look. Value depends on condition. $650 seems a little steep -- may not be, depending on condition. If buying a running motor, need to see and hear it running.

Yeah, since it is located at a marine shop I will have the ability to put it in the tub and have him wind it up for an extended period of time so that we know everything is good.

I was thinking about offering $500 for it with a justification that I would like to throw the shop a few bucks to install the motor and dial in the controls and steering as well for me. Then once it is done I can take it out on the water and really test it out..........and if I have problems...........at least someone has their name on the X for doing the work on it and testing it out.

We shall see. I am waiting on the guy to send pictures.

 

[oldboat1]

sounds like a plan. good to have a shop to go to.

 

[Ihateclevernames]

I did pull off the lower end tonight to see if it fits on the 25HP that a shop nearby has. The lower is toast on that one. For grins, I pulled the water pump to check it and it was almost trashed. Could it have fried up when the engine overheated or could this have been my cause?

Guess I shouldn't have taken his word for it when he said that he had it changed a few months prior.

I guess you live and learn.

 

[oldboat1]

the latter (impeller failure a likely cause). Yeah, almost always change out the impeller on a "new" motor. Exception might be in a purchase from a shop, similar to what you are contemplating. Even then, might get replacement noted on the receipt -- or make it part of the deal, if any doubt. I often run a find, if it runs, but don't use in on the lake until replacing the impeller. However, after replacing it and testing it, I let it go -- always lots of discussion here about tell tales and water pumping. A failure can make you paranoid -- that's no good either. Supposed to be fun.

edit. boy, sounded fatherly didn't it. btw, the l.u. probably still fine if it had gear oil. Drain it and replace the oil.

If that motor deal doesn't work out, I may have a source fairly close (KY) -- would have to see if he is still around. Diff. is it would be a private owner, and you may want to try a shop or marina.

 

[Ihateclevernames]

the latter (impeller failure a likely cause). Yeah, almost always change out the impeller on a "new" motor. Exception might be in a purchase from a shop, similar to what you are contemplating. Even then, might get replacement noted on the receipt -- or make it part of the deal, if any doubt. I often run a find, if it runs, but don't use in on the lake until replacing the impeller. However, after replacing it and testing it, I let it go -- always lots of discussion here about tell tales and water pumping. A failure can make you paranoid -- that's no good either. Supposed to be fun.

edit. boy, sounded fatherly didn't it. btw, the l.u. probably still fine if it had gear oil. Drain it and replace the oil.

If that motor deal doesn't work out, I may have a source fairly close (KY) -- would have to see if he is still around. Diff. is it would be a private owner, and you may want to try a shop or marina.

That would be awesome if you have a POC in the area.

Thanks for the heads up on the impeller. I guess an expensive lesson learned in regards to this. However I am not bitter about it, because it is a learning experience.

I went by a shop today that had a powerhead with bad crankshaft (1982 25HP Johnson) and the shop offered to take my engine, replace the powerhead from the 25HP on my motor and install my lower. They wanted $450 for that, I don't think that route is worth it for something that "worked a while back". So that being said, I am going to look into the 1977 (or so) Evinrude 35HP that a guy is selling for $650 OBO. That way I can have something that I know has been gone through by a shop and have someone accept the risk by telling me that everything has been gone through. I will let you guys know what I find out.

The lower appears to be good, along with the starter as well. I think I am def going to hang on to the motor and start scrounging parts for it so that I can rebuild it one day.

 

[oldboat1]

I'll do some checking and pm you on a contact. If it matters, the burned up impeller may not be a first cause for the problems (blocked inlet, as was mentioned -- then impeller running dry or semi-dry). It happens.

learned an '82 25 hp powerhead will likely fit. That's good. (deal offered? maybe not so much). "been gone through" is a phrase like "ran the last time I used it". Need to look closely. Some shops rebuild, and that can be fine (if reputable). All depends.....

'81 will have hundreds of parts that could be useful sometime, so worth keeping if you have the space.

(edit. sent you a PM)

 

[Ihateclevernames]

No Title

Well, here is the 35 Evinrude that I was talking about.

The guy took some pictures of the motor at the shop that it was located at. I was told that the plugs were replaced at the shop and some rewiring was done just due to it getting brittle over time. I was told compression was good, however we will check once again when I go take a look at it. The guy that runs the shop seems to think that it will fit right on and replace the 1981 Johnson that is currently on there, controls and and ignition wiring as well.

I have heard that the water intake was somewhat experimental on the mid 70's Johnsons, however this one appears to be different than mine, so would I want to stay away from it, or do you guys think that it will be fine?

He couldn't seem to find the information plate on the motor, so no luck on the model number. Thoughts on exact type and year based on the pictures?

The prop looks a little beat up, maybe I should have that replaced, or at the least, use it as leverage to get the price down from the $650 OBO.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

 

[bonz_d]

Look like a 1977 long shaft. Again, all the controls from your 1981 will match right up. The prop will swap between the 2 also.

I was running a 1978 35hp on a Lund that now belongs to my lil brother. Never had a problem with water flow or over heating. Here is the Lund with the 35 on it.

 

[oldboat1]

think I would buy Bonz's, but not sure about the one pictured. Have a sense that might be a little bit of a Frankenmotor, but hard to say on this end.

don't have to jump at it. Any others in that shop?

 

[Ihateclevernames]

He has some others, but nothing older like that.

Being that the shop isn't selling it, it is a private sale for a friend of the shop owner. He just has it up there in the case that someone was interested.

Any tell tale signs that I should look for in regards to it being a Frankenmotor?

What should I try and talk him down to if I decided to go with it?

 

[oldboat1]

well, no model number (and a shop owner who seems uncertain....). Prop initially looked to me like a chop prop, but think it isn't (looking for a clue re. use). Talk directly to the owner. This is a private sale, as you say -- not sure what advantage there is in buying from that shop owner/friend. Maybe some cover for you -- not sure. Find out what you can about use -- in that regard, the shop owner is a middle man, albeit somebody who knows something about outboards. Why was the wiring shot? Lack of use? Or is that good maintenance that the shop owner supplied. Dunno.

 

[bonz_d]

Looks like an original and general condition 35 year old Evinrude to me. There is a new starter solenoid in it. Prop looks toast to me.

If that were a short shaft model it may be worth the money because they are becoming harder to find but still think that is high. I recently picked up a 1994 30hp Johnson with controls for $325.00 Part of that was because the guy didn't know what he was selling. Thinking $450.00 would be more inline with what it's really worth. At least here in Wisconsin.

 

[oldboat1]

yeah, that's about right for here too (maybe $450). Look at the other motors even if newer to get a sense of value. Comparison is good. I THINK you might be able to find a '90s motor in that $650 range (cheaper if you run into something like bonz_d did.)

 

[Ihateclevernames]

Came to an initial agreement.

$475 for the motor and controls.

I will look more for the model number when I go look at it tomorrow, and then I can see what is what on the motor.

A little more background on the shop owner, it is a prop and shaft shop. Not a full service machine shop. The guy that owns it does dabble in repairing minor things on engines, and smaller things such as replacing water pumps and other smaller components.

Told the guy that I would want to see the compression and the water pump as well prior to purchasing it. What should I be looking for in regards to compression on this particular engine? I realize that we don't have an exact year and model, however I would feel comfortable if we had a range that the engine SHOULD be in prior to buying it.

As for the prop, with it kind of dinged up on there...........it make me wonder if it will hurt anything during the test run? I am guessing that it will need a new one soon, along with a water pump..............but what condition can those be in if I desire to run it for testing purposes?

What else should I be looking for on the motor to ensure that I am getting what he claims is a good running motor?

Thanks!

 

[oldboat1]

gotta tell you, just doesn't seem to me like a great situation, somehow. Maybe somebody to look at it with you? (when I try to sell a motor, buyers always seem to be using the buddy system.) He would have sold you the motor for $650, now down to $475 with a set of controls (or maybe you mean he will set up the motor on your boat). You testing this before buying (your reference to a test)? Highly recommend that. Guess it seems to me the advantage of buying from a "shop" is that the motor is properly prepped and ready, and you have some kind of reason to believe he knows his stuff. I buy with minimal hoopla, but then I've bought and repaired (and run) a lot of them.

 

[Ihateclevernames]

Hmmm, now you guys have me second guessing going to get this thing.

As I mentioned before, it came to my attention that this is not a full service marine shop. Mainly a prop and machine shop.

So basically, it is the same as buying it from some guy in a garage. The guy did tell me that he would help me set it up on the boat as he has a working knowledge of that.

So would you guys advise not taking it out on the water as it looks like it won't have been gone through thoroughly prior to purchase and we won't be able to install a new impeller first and foremost also.

We can however run it in a tub at the prop shop.

 

[oldboat1]

just depends on what you are comfortable with. Get as much info and testing as seems right. Obviously same repair and maintenance assistance here as before.

edit. think there was a shaft length issue. maybe handled, but lots of info on that here too.