Help-2 Stroke Outboard Motor

Been on the hunt for a 10-20hp outboard for our Jon Boat.

Going to look at this one this weekend, said he will start and run it for me, anything I should look for, at or check??

Even unsure what it's really worth, can get a brand new 4 stroke merc 9.9 for just over 2k??

Thanks and you guys won't make fun of me if I have a Short Shaft Johnson will you??

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/boa/4317044967.html

Tim, what do you think the best prop selection for that type of HP and the factory hook on the John boat with Quinners ass sitting back by the tiller all tucked down for better aerodynamics?

Believe it's a sea horse model.
Seller claims it pushes his 14' Sylvan 28mph GPS, weight is 83lbs

Will be going on a 14' Alumicraft rated 15hp max

I think they were all Sea Horses. I don't know what a john boat is, but if it's a regular 14' aluminum, it'll be fine. I think the price is high, but if it's been gone through and runs well you probably won't find much as good that's any cheaper. I've got an '87 9.9 Johnson that's been trouble free since new. If it's been run regularly during its life is better than if it hasn't been run in years. In that case I'd be looking for the carb to be munged up.

I don't about where you are, but it's hard to find someone to work on that stuff around here. I believe I have a service manual that covers that motor if you ever need it.

Then a 20 is way over powered. Our 14 Lund with 9.9 does about 25 and will pull a kid up on deep slalom. I used to trick ski behind it. Over powered little boats are a blast. I used to have a 12' StarCraft that was rated for 10 hp with an old 25 hp Johnson on it. It flew.

Be sure to get a compression reading and that there is not more than 10lbs between cylinders. Check the gearcase to see if any lube has oozed from the seal area. It may need to be re-sealed if there is any leakage. Don't confuse the oil from the oil/fuel mixture to be gearcase leakage, examine it closely. Has it recently had an impeller? If not put in a new one before you run it. Check the condition of the rubber fuel lines and parts under the hood. Do they show any signs of cracking? Has the fuel pump been rebuilt within the past 10 years? The rubber diaphragms only last so long and ethanol can degrade them and older fuel lines a bit more rapidly. Cracks on the suction side of the pump can allow the introduction of air and give an inconsistent mixture. You don't want to run hard with a lean mixture. Check the throttle linkage for worn parts, if it has a lot of hours they can get sloppy and linkage parts can be expensive. Check the vertical pivot between the clamp and the engine (the one that makes it steer) pull on the gearcase while the engine is locked and see if there is any play. That is a problem that will seriously reduce the value of the engine.
I think the price is very fair if it is in good condition and passes all of these tests. Be careful, that is a lot of power for your jon boat.
Bet wishes..

TRBenj wrote: Zach, dont knock these little boats... you better believe Ive got mine tuned to run as fast as it can- jack plate and all!

Oh I knew you'd have an over powered turned up John boat haha. Our neighbor has one with a 15 Johnson. The motor lives in the shed. It gets out maybe once every 2-3 years. My brother will use it from time to time and it runs like a top.

We had a 77 Johnson 25 that my grandpa bought new. It was on his fishing boat and when he passed away I was born shortly there after so it was then stuck on a pontoon. Only thing we ever did to that engine was an ignition module and 2 fuel filters. I would own a Johnson 2 stroke over about anything else based on the experience we had with that and how well my brothers 84 70 horse runs. We owned the 25 up until about 2008ish. Sold it to a neighbor and she sold it in about 2012. Still ran like it was new.

Another plus for the older rigs vs newer used rigs Gary. The only thing I have done to my brothers engine is one of the plastic T fittings for the fuel lines between the carb broke. It was spraying into the air box and flooding the bottom carb/cylinder. Replaced the part and changed the plugs. Running like a top again.

My parents best friends have a 50 hp 2008 2 stroke Merc they leave at our place on a Toon. It never ran right. Took it to 3 different 2 stroke guys with the same results. I got mad and asked for Dave's permission to wrench. Popped the cover off and a few carb adjustments later it starts on the first key and idles all day long. I don't put any stock in most mechanics of any sort. Good thing most all of the guys here can do things like that or we would be paying people to mess our stuff up.