to fix, or not to fix.

[Walcott]

I have a 1968 Johnson VXL-14B 65HP OB. It has good compression and it appears the only thing i will have to change right this moment is the choke solenoid. My question is this. The parts are hard to find and are pretty costly. should i even bother with this thing? do i part it out and sell it and get another motor? they only made this thing 1 year, it appeals to me for that reason(also looks great on the back of my 69 hull), and it scares me for that reason. i dont want to end up dumping 6000 grand into this thing over time just to wish i would have gotten a newer motor. is the nostalgia worth the possible wallet and heart ache?

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: to fix, or not to fix.

Although only made for one year, it does share many parts with other model years of the 1960s era 60 to 80hp V4s. It's a mechanical shift, so you don't have any of the electric shift stuff to worry about. Yours does use the amplifier style electronic ignition. If it needs something for that, they are made of unobtainium, so when you do find them, they're pricey.

I'd say do the basics of waterpump, fuel system, etc, make it run for now, and start saving your pennies for a replacement if and when this one does go...

 

[Walcott]

Re: to fix, or not to fix.

good advice, because i do love the motor. I only paid 350 for it, with boat and trailer, so the way i figure it, if i spend 2-4000 grand on the boat trailer and motor getting it into the condition i eventually want in ill still be in good shape.........i would never make money or break even IF i sold it. but the wife says after im done i can get a new one and she wants this one for her, so i didnt plan on selling anyway. did i mention i am a sucker for the way things were made in the 60's and 70's? and thank you for the advice on being able to swap out parts with other motors. know how i can find out what motors in specific because i have called EVERYONE in my county and no one has my parts. i did not want to order online, but it looks like i may have to.

 

[Walcott]

Re: to fix, or not to fix.

Also. the motor has no gauges, or even holes in the dash for gauges so i assume it never had them. I know NOTHING about electrical AT ALL. is this motor set up to be able to use gauges? Like plug and play type? or would I have to have break into the wiring harness and splice and stuff? or is it even possible at all? thank you for the help. I am a 100% newbie on the motor part of this project.

 

[Solittle]

Re: to fix, or not to fix.

Forget the electrical stuff and gauges but make sure you do pay attention to the gear oil and water pump stuff.

 

[Walcott]

Re: to fix, or not to fix.

Gear oil and water pump, got it. thank you. I have the manual for the motor on order, wish they had an online copy but, oh well.

 

[nwcove]

Re: to fix, or not to fix.

quote "I know NOTHING about electrical AT ALL. is this motor set up to be able to use gauges? Like plug and play type?"

the only thing "plug and play" about those great oldies.......replace the plugs, and play!

 

[RandyJ]

Re: to fix, or not to fix.

I don't know these motors at all but I can tell you from my experience that the old motors of that era may have unusual or interesting ignition electronics. So, you may want to study that pretty seriously. Pretty much all other parts on most boats and motors tend to be very basic. Gauges and instruments are rather universal with a very few exceptions. Outside of things like chokes and ignition they're pretty simple but every motor has it's tricks and differences. Of all the motors I've had about the only thing I've not been able to find is a water pump impeller for a very old Sears/Ted Williams 9 hp motor but it was simple to get it running and it actually runs great! It may even be worth the $40 or so to have the impeller made....