Looked at a 1962 Johnson 35... advice needed.

[gwoloshyn]

I went and checked out a 1962 Johnson Sea Horse that is selling for $350. It is a short shaft, just what I need, complete with controls, electric start. The reason I want this motor is because my boat will only really accept a short shaft and I need something in this HP range, and a short shaft 35hp is hard to come by.

Negatives I noticed about the motor:
Very dirty (why would it be dirty, they have covers?)
Compression only 90psi in both cylinders. Both readings were 90psi (which is good)

Questions:
Is 90psi an acceptable compression?
Will this motor spray a steady stream of water through the tell-tale or will it mist? The guys didn't have it running in water and only started it for just a second. However, they said if I were to buy it they would run it in a bucket.
Are parts easy to obtain?

This motor was at a small registered garage repair shop, and the operators seem honest guys who talk of a 30 day guarantee.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Looked at a 1962 Johnson 35... advice needed.

For that motor the compression looks ok. That engine doesn't have a tell-tale, the water comes out of the exhaust port on the exhaust housing. In my part of the world that is a little high for that motor, but if it comes with all the electrical harness and has a guarentee and is what you want, then most likely it is priced ok. After all, something is only worth what someone is willing to pay.

 

[dew2]

Re: Looked at a 1962 Johnson 35... advice needed.

Here in Minnesota that is a high price,Unless its in excellent condition and running fine.

 

[gwoloshyn]

Re: Looked at a 1962 Johnson 35... advice needed.

Are these short shaft motors getting hard to find? I plan to keep my boat for a while so I need to get a higher hp short shaft while I still can.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Looked at a 1962 Johnson 35... advice needed.

Must be just your area, If I look around I can find them in my area. They might be a newer model, but you can find them.

 

[dew2]

Re: Looked at a 1962 Johnson 35... advice needed.

Are these short shaft motors getting hard to find? I plan to keep my boat for a while so I need to get a higher hp short shaft while I still can.

They are getting harder to find,I had a guy drive from Montana to get a 35 evin shortshaft Havent seen one over 15HP around here since I bought that 35 a year ago.

 

[boobie]

Re: Looked at a 1962 Johnson 35... advice needed.

Did OMC build a 35 hp in 1962 ??

 

[Daviet]

Re: Looked at a 1962 Johnson 35... advice needed.

Now that you mention it, by my cross reference they made the 35hp up to 1959 and in 1960 they switched to a 40hp. I could be wrong, have been one time that I can remember
Another good reason to go by model number.

 

[gwoloshyn]

Re: Looked at a 1962 Johnson 35... advice needed.

I'm sure its a 35hp but I will ask for the model number tomorrow. I'm going back to have them set it in a barrel so I can run through gears.

Thick blue smoke signifies its running rich right? Or could it be a problem?

 

[Daviet]

Re: Looked at a 1962 Johnson 35... advice needed.

Those older motors used a heavy oil/fuel ratio, (24:1). They would smoke alot.

 

[boobie]

Re: Looked at a 1962 Johnson 35... advice needed.

If you run it in a barrel they smoke real good. The smoke means it's getting lubed good.

 

[gwoloshyn]

Re: Looked at a 1962 Johnson 35... advice needed.

Thanks for the info everyone. Another thing I noticed is that it seems to be missing a tilt tube for my teleflex steering system. Are tilttubes easy to install or am I missing the location of it on this motor?

 

[Daviet]

Re: Looked at a 1962 Johnson 35... advice needed.

I think that there are some after market tubes that use the transom clamps that hold them in place.
You will have to do an internet search.

 

[classicevinrude]

Re: Looked at a 1962 Johnson 35... advice needed.

Gwoloshyn,

I live in Rochester as well. You may think about looking towards Syracuse and south into the fingerlakes a bit. The only thing that would concern me is that it was run out of water. A new impeller would be cheap insurance once you bought the motor. Best of luck to you.

Forrest

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Looked at a 1962 Johnson 35... advice needed.

Yea, posting some pics would be a plus. The 35 was built from 57 to 59 then started again in 77. If it is a 60's motor, then it could be a 33. The 33 was based on the old 35 design of 1957, but updated with a fiberglass hood. Is it a fiberglass cover or an aluminum clamshell? A model number would help too.

 

[gwoloshyn]

Re: Looked at a 1962 Johnson 35... advice needed.

Just wanted to update.. I ended up passing on that Johnson and got an email today about a 33hp Evinrude. It was VERY clean and ran, so I bought it for $250. It's a 1960's.. I'll have to look up the year.

Looks like a clean, great motor and I'm glad I passed on that other Johnson.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Looked at a 1962 Johnson 35... advice needed.

Right on man. You'll love running it