Repower with used Johnson or Suzuki?

[halas]

There are two motors available 1983 Johnson 115 hp. V4
and 1988 Suzuki DT 115 hp 6 cyl. with separate oil tank for the outboard oil.
Both just under $ 2000 with good compression.
These motors test ran great on the lake and idled fine .
I guess the Johnson is a well known motor but I was wondering about the Suzuki? Is there anything inherently bad I should know before I decide on these motors?

 

[gcboat]

Re: Repower with used Johnson or Suzuki?

There's a coin toss if I ever saw one. I guess the Johnson guys will give a nod their way and the Zuki' guys the same. All things considered equal I'd lean a little towards the Suzuki ( yea, got one).
That is a tough decision either way. Just figure out which dealer is closest to you for repairs. That may be one factor in my consideration.

 

[Big Keepers]

Re: Repower with used Johnson or Suzuki?

I'd go with the newer engine in this case. To be honest that Johnson isn't worth just under $2,000. My 1985 Yamaha was barely worth the $1200 I paid for it two years ago according to some resources I was shown by a friend of mine who owns a marina and repair shop. As great as it may run, that motor shouldn't retail for that much.

 

[halas]

Re: Repower with used Johnson or Suzuki?

Thanks, I agree with both of your opinions. The original owner of the 1988 Suzuki 115 took us out on the lake we had to idle for about 25 min. in the no wake zone but he could go WOT for a short time in the small lake loaded with jet skis and boats going in circles.
The motor ran like a champ. He was asking $1795 for boat motor and trailer and I offerd $1700 he took and gave $50 down payement. While he went for the trailer I took the cowling off and put my hands on the heads were warm not hot. I go back tomorrow (70 mi.) with the balance but I told him that I would check the compression first before the final decision. He seemed honest and down to earth. I believe I got a good deal so far. I will check the lower unit oil tomorrow as well. He only changed the lower unit oil and fogged the motor each year. Never replaced the impeller however the pee was strong.
The motor had a melted cover under the cowling where the idle adjusting screw is. The voltage regulator caused it that he had replaced after the melting a few years back. I was kinda surprised not having it fused.
Also the motor did not have a tachometer. I comes with the tilt/trim gauge
and the oil resevoir indicator/alarm gauge. Is there a plug in connection for a tachometer? I would like to add one.
Is there a way to disable the ignition while checking the comression or do I have to ground all 4 spark plug leads?
Will this motor bolt to my boat without drilling new holes into the transom?
The old (existing) motor is a 1979 Johnson V4 85 Hp. Both motors have 20" shafts.

 

[Big Keepers]

Re: Repower with used Johnson or Suzuki?

The proper way to do a compression test is to remove all the spark plugs and open the throttle all the way to wide open so you get maximum flow of air into the engine. Then hook up the gauge and crank the engine so you get about five or six revolutions of the crank.

 

[halas]

Re: Repower with used Johnson or Suzuki?

The proper way to do a compression test is to remove all the spark plugs and open the throttle all the way to wide open so you get maximum flow of air into the engine. Then hook up the gauge and crank the engine so you get about five or six revolutions of the crank.

So far so good. Is there a way to disable the ignition to prevent damage?
Is there a plug I can pull on the coil or something like that?
Is the starter solenoid accessible to jump start without turning the key?

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: Repower with used Johnson or Suzuki?

Go with the Johnson for sure! It has 10 times the parts availability. They are both well-built outboards but just pick any single engine part and price it for each engine. If you blow a lower unit on the Johnson you won't even have to bother fixing it, just pick another one up off ebay where there's always a half dozen listed. Blow one on the Zuke and you'll be looking for six months to find one at all. Trim and tilt subsystem is the same way. And the difference between the OEM service manuals is like night and day.

I have two boats right now, one with a 1987 Johnson 90 and the other with a 1994 Suzuki DT150, so I am speaking from some experience.

2 grand is high for either motor, BTW. $1200-$1500 tops.

-E

 

[Big Keepers]

Re: Repower with used Johnson or Suzuki?

So far so good. Is there a way to disable the ignition to prevent damage?
Is there a plug I can pull on the coil or something like that?
Is the starter solenoid accessible to jump start without turning the key?

You don't need to disable the ignition because you don't have a connection between the spark plug wires and the plugs themselves. Nothing will happen except the flywheel will spin.

Jumping the starter is the easy way to do it by yourself. There is a pre-made starter button you can try to find on the market that a lot of marine mechanics use or you can make one yourself just as easy. You hook one end of that switch up to a battery positive post and the other clip goes on the solenoid wire that is +12 volts from your ignition switch at the helm. Its a simple momentary push button switch like you see on ride on lawn mowers or small tractors. Or get a friend to turn the key for you while you hold the gauge.

 

[halas]

Re: Repower with used Johnson or Suzuki?

Thanks for the info, did the compression check 140;140;136;139 + Clean LU oil.
Bought the motor even though I was also worried about parts if needed in the future.
Well around here there is only fresh water and there is 0 corrosion on this baby. This evening took the Johnson off the boat and the Zuki mounted right on into the exsisting hole pattern.
Will hook-up the controls later this week . I really like the 4 carburators and their linkage, it seams so much more advanced that the 79 Johnson V4.
Made in Japan label is a good reference for me also.
I am hoping to be finished with this boat and start fishing instead of working on it all the time.
Thanks for all the help..