Opinons needed: Is 1974 Johnson 135 HP a good engine?

[Trin]

Hello all, I have the chance to purchase a rebuilt 1974 Johnson 135 hp engine that is in awesome shape and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this motor. Are the parts hard to find for an engine this old. Any help with this decision is appreciated.
Thanks Trin

 

[Solittle]

Re: Opinons needed: Is 1974 Johnson 135 HP a good engine?

Any of the OMC V4s are solid as they come. Parts are plentiful.

How do you know that the engine you are looking at is in awesome shape? Did you check the compression? Gear oil? Test run it on the water? My point is that we often get posts where the buyer relied on what the seller told him and the way it "looked". Then the posts come to iboats about how crappy it runs.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Opinons needed: Is 1974 Johnson 135 HP a good engine?

on a 34 year old engine, it is in awesome shape, if it is the first owner, and he has all maintainance records, and as Solittle said. other than that let the buyer beware. there are still great old engines out there.

 

[AguaSki]

Re: Opinons needed: Is 1974 Johnson 135 HP a good engine?

As mentioned, any of the OMC V4 motors are great motors. If in fact the motor is really in awesome shape, then you will be happy. You can tell by the earlier posts that everyone is concerned about the motor appearing to be in great shape, but then having hidden maintenance gremlins that will haunt you. I have a 1978 140 hp Johnson that is in great shape, and I love it. Of course to be in great shape my 29 year old motor needed a new powerhead rebuild 3 years ago. If I were to sell my boat I could honestly tell the buyer that they are getting an awesome motor, but I would not expect the buyer to believe me, and you should have the same concerns about the motor you are looking at.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Opinons needed: Is 1974 Johnson 135 HP a good engine?

Bought a '72 Johnny 125 new and had for like 6 years. Never a problem and it liked to run. I sold it to buy a bass boat type boat.....it was a trihull walk thru w/s bow rider.


Mark

 

[Trin]

Re: Opinons needed: Is 1974 Johnson 135 HP a good engine?

Hey guys, thanks for the opinions on this motor- The engine has been rebuilt and has 4 new ignition coils, rebuilt carbs, new water pump and impeller, new ignition box and the compression is 125 +/- 2 on all 4 cylinders and it also comes with a warranty. Believe me, I have done my homework on the engine regarding performance. The only reason I'm looking at this engine is because 3weeks ago I was totally burned on a Johnson in a bait and switch deal when I purchased a motor from Lanier Marine Liquidators. I won't go into details but needless to say that I'm in the process of taking legal action to get my money back. Thanks for your help.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Opinons needed: Is 1974 Johnson 135 HP a good engine?

Hey guys, thanks for the opinions on this motor- The engine has been rebuilt and has 4 new ignition coils, rebuilt carbs, new water pump and impeller, new ignition box and the compression is 125 +/- 2 on all 4 cylinders and it also comes with a warranty. Believe me, I have done my homework on the engine regarding performance. The only reason I'm looking at this engine is because 3weeks ago I was totally burned on a Johnson in a bait and switch deal when I purchased a motor from Lanier Marine Liquidators. I won't go into details but needless to say that I'm in the process of taking legal action to get my money back. Thanks for your help.

Yeah, don't buy from them, motors at least. Boats and trailers are alright, but look at them yourself, and don't believe what they say. I wouldn't buy their motors, as that seems to be where they make much of their money.
We got bummed their once too. But then, we musta gotten some sort of cosmic carma, as we got an impossibly good deal on our 12 footer, and 4 horse deluxe later on.

 

[Trin]

Re: Opinons needed: Is 1974 Johnson 135 HP a good engine?

They sold me a Johnson outboard that was supposed to be 1985 and turned out to be a 1977 with a warped head from running it hot with a bad thermostat. The mechanic I took it to said the cylinder had hyrdolocked.