1962 75 hp Johnson - Part 7 - Recap of Running Before & After Link & Sync and Other Improvements

I think I have finally gotten all the problems worked out with this 75 hp Johnson. There were so many things wrong. To begin with the carb and fuel pump needed rebuilt. Once I was able to get it running after three Marinas (who shall remain nameless) tried and failed, I started to diagnose each performance issue one at a time.
First, one of the spark plugs were different from the rest so I replaced the old spark plugs with Champion J4C’s. Then I replaced the points and condenser and gapped the points to 0.020” and set the timing. After the first lake trial the motor started to miss at WOT. This made me think the motor’s timing was off so I pulled the distributor cap off again and examined it a little closer and found that the woodruff key on the distributor pulley was sheared and had worn down the shaft causing the timing to be out of adjustment.
At this point I suggested the owner purchase a used powerhead I located from a fellow Outboard Repairmen with all the needed spare parts and swapped out not only the distributor but also the reed block as well. The existing reeds were out of spec using a 0.010” feeler gauge as well as burnt from backfiring turning the stainless steel reeds blue. An obvious sign the metal reeds got very hot and became distorted.
Once the Reeds and Distributor were swapped out the motor started to idle and run much better but it still wasn’t running at its best. I suggested the owner purchase a Service Manual so I could do the Link & Sync exactly as written in the manual. The owner purchased the much needed manual and the final result …well is in the video.
Thanks for watching and we’ll be taking the boat on the lake in the spring for the second lake trial to see how the motor performs at WOT so stay tuned and thanks again for watching and commenting.
Part 1: Will it Run?
• 1962 75 hp Johnson - P...
Part 2: Stalling & Revving at WOT
• 1962 75 hp Johnson - P...
Part 3: Stalling at WOT - Fixed - Carb & Fuel Pump Clean - Lake Test
• 1962 75 hp Johnson - P...
Part 4: Hard Starting - Bad Reeds & Setting Timing
• 1962 75 hp Johnson - P...
Part 5: Reed Block & Distributor Swap
• 1962 75 hp Johnson - P...
Part 6: Link & Sync
• 1962 75 hp Johnson - P...
Part 7:
Part 8: Lake Trial …. Finally!
• 1962 - 75 hp Johnson -...

[@stephenwinter8892]

Greetings from southern Ontario Canada I really enjoyed the video my family owns a 1967 Johnson outboard 80 hp on the original 17 ft fiberglass starcraft which developed a long Crack in the hull and was very expensive to repair

[@LivetofishOutboardRepair]

@stephenwinter8892 … I’m glad you liked the video. Thanks for sharing your experience saving your family’s boat.

[@silverstarflite135]

Love the video. Reminds me of my Dad tinkering with his 1966 80 hp in the driveway. Man, I remember how much smoke these beast put out....and the gas in the water. They were horrible relative to pollution and fuel use......but, work horses. He ran the 80hp for 10 years. Then traded it in for a new boat and a 1976 Johnson115 - which was lots smaller in size. But just as smoky. Thanks for the memories. (Btw, the engine shown in the video looks like a 1964 from the cover style). Cheers.

[@LivetofishOutboardRepair]

Alan Rothfuss… Thanks for tuning in and sharing your story. I really appreciate it. Check out the other videos of this boat and motor. You can find the links in the description. The model for this motor is V4AL-14 and according to www.marineengine.com it’s a 1962. Maybe the cowling is from another motor.

[@crafter170]

Amazing these old engines are still out there and roaring along.2 Questions Sir .....Where I live people have always given Johnson outboard motors the name of being rubbish .Is this just an unfounded nasty rumour which grew arms and legs? Question number2 .While watching this great video I see you have the motor submerged in a big bucket .I do this too .Problem is I have left my mariner motor down in the bucket for a few weeks now as I'm tinkering with it when I get time .Its been minus 2 here .Do you think I could crack internal parts by doing this .I've wrapped the motor in blankets but today I need to softly heat the motor up with a watering can and get it out of the water filled bucket .Ps the bucket has always been full of water but has a 10mmskin of ice on top.Im so silly sometimes .

[@LivetofishOutboardRepair]

Crafter…Answer 1: Johnson outboards are very good motors. They are considered very good here in the US. Answer 2: Yes you can do damage if the water freezes up solid but if you only had a skin of ice your probably ok. Just make sure when you pull the leg out of the bucket you lower your motor down completely to let all the water drain out.

[@crafter170]

@@LivetofishOutboardRepair Brilliant answer Thanks man .Well it seems people here must be talking bull about the Johnson motors .Thanks for that info.Temp up to 8 degrees now .Started her up .All ok .(thank god).Drained the bucket and motor drained of water now .A buttock clenching moment last night I must admit seeing everything white with frost.Appreciate your time and having the decency to reply ...Noted sir .

[@danielrobert7181]

Perceptions are deceiving. The Mariner brand is still marketed in some foreign countries because locals sware they are better than Mercs while the only difference between them is the colour of their paint. I find that OMCs tend to be simpler, standardized rather easy to work on designs while Mercurys / Mariners often feel like over-engineered and not so intuitive. But treat either brand decently right and they will provide decades of trouble-free enjoyment.

[@stanleyfoxx3227]

Wow that motor runs amazing to be 60 yrs old! What area do you live Sir? Just curious, I am in Tennessee. I have one of the exact motors non running scrap condition.

[@LivetofishOutboardRepair]

Stanley … I live in the metro Detroit area 20 miles north west of Detroit. I live near Lake Saint Clair. Great fishing here you should come and try it sometime. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@michaeldob2153]

Your vids helped me to deal with my engine! Do you work on inboard engine too? And where in Michigan are you at? I am in Windsor

[@LivetofishOutboardRepair]

Michael Dob… I don’t like working on inboards…to much bending over for me. I live in a suburb of Detroit. Sterling Heights MI.

[@michaeldob2153]

I just assumed it with the inboard engines. Wow you are not far away from me. Maybe there will be an opportunity to go fishing together

[@LivetofishOutboardRepair]

Michael Dob … Sounds like a plan. My email address is [e-mail] so if you email me we can exchange contact information. Good luck with your project.

[@arthurtaddei1285]

I'm pretty sure your motor is a 1964 according to the cover

[@LivetofishOutboardRepair]

Arthur Taddei … you’ve got a good eye 👁. This is not the original cover for this motor. The model number on the motor indicates it’s a 1962.