4hp cooling question

[jaymasta]

I just bought a late 70s mide 80s (at least I think) 4hp johnson motor, it is the one that is always in gear, it has no netrual or reverse and has the big throttle lever coming off the side of the engine, anyways I am just wondering about these 8 small holes coming off the back of then engine, obviously there is exhaust coming out of them but water squirts out of them too Iam just wondering if this is the cooling system water or not. If it isn't Iam wondering if there is a way to tell if the cooling system is working or not it does not appear to have any sort of tell tale coming off the powerhead, pictures attached thanks in advance.

 

[F_R]

Re: 4hp cooling question

I just bought a late 70s mide 80s (at least I think) 4hp johnson motor, it is the one that is always in gear, it has no netrual or reverse and has the big throttle lever coming off the side of the engine, anyways I am just wondering about these 8 small holes coming off the back of then engine, obviously there is exhaust coming out of them but water squirts out of them too Iam just wondering if this is the cooling system water or not. If it isn't Iam wondering if there is a way to tell if the cooling system is working or not it does not appear to have any sort of tell tale coming off the powerhead, pictures attached thanks in advance.

Those holes ARE the tell tale for that motor. Water should blow out them along with exhaust whenever it is running.

 

[Rick.]

Re: 4hp cooling question

Great motors they are too. The best way to tell if it is cooling properly is to put your hand on top of the head. If you can hold it there for a three count your getting good cooling. I'm thinking it is early to mid 70's. On the side of the transom mount there should be a tag with the model number. The year built is in the model number. Check out the Top Secret File regarding things you should do prior to using it. These 4 HP's seem to run forever on a gallon of fuel mix. Best of luck. Rick.

 

[jaymasta]

Re: 4hp cooling question

Its a 1975, the engine looks to be hardly used for the year, I can put my hand on top of the head for about 2 seconds and then it gets a little to hot, but there is a fair ammount of water comeing out of the holes. Is this motor a 50:1 mix? The guy who I bought it from coudn't remember so he said its about a 35:1 mix right now but there is only about a half litre of that mix left.

 

[Rick.]

Re: 4hp cooling question

Your correct. It is 50:1. Your going to have a great time with it. I would strongly advise you to change the impeller now and at least every three years from here on. Other than that, go to the Top Secret File at the top of this forum and there is good advice there for maintenance suggestions and how to's. You should get a OMC service manual for your exact year either Evinrude or Johnson really doesn't matter as they are the same except in color. Don't get sucked into a cheaper CD manual as there isn't much information on most of them. I get mine off Ebay but you can probably get it here on Iboats as well. Best of luck. Rick.