1973 Johnson 20 hp with some DIY and TLC we will make it great again (Catch, Clean, Fix) How I do it

In this video I picked up a 20hp Johnson. The claim is it did start. I'm pretty sure if it did start it did not run well at all. I will take you through the steps I took so far to get this outboard back on the road to recovery.
Check out this video and you can see how I pressure test the gear boxes on the outboards I work on. • Outboard gear box pres...
Check out my other channel: RM3D Creations • Creality Ender 3 V2 un...

[@larrabeejl]

I just bought one for $100 it looks in decent shape. This video is definitely going to help thanks again.

[@scottconville9780]

Great video, very informative and answered lots of questions for me

[@Thewrightstuff777]

Excellent repair work!!!!

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@peteberry462]

I really enjoy your videos. Keep them coming

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Glad you like them!

[@gearheadgregwi]

Getting rid of my Mercruiser and shopping for outboards. Really liking this outboard setup.

[@helicopterjohns]

I will give you a thumbs up on the steel inserts for the spark plug thread repair. I built a 2 X 72" Belt Grinder and installed them on the new build. It is a lifetime application on aluminum threads that are going to get repeated installation of bolts. You are the man!!!!!

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Thank you and thanks for watching

[@darrylmcleman6456]

The windmill reminds me of a conversation with a young lady co-worker (cake decorator) in the bakery I recently retired from. I mentioned I was thinking of installing a wind generator on my R.V. and she said she married one!!! CHEERS from Vancouver Island!

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

That's a good one. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@fuzzyfultz]

Another great video Greg, thanks. I have 1973 Johnson tiller 35 hp electric start, love mine.

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Seems like I get one of those every video. I removed it. Thanks you. Thank you for watching and commenting. Got the parts for it this past week. Hope to get it back together this weekend.

[@fuzzyfultz]

@@Michaelsbackyardmarina thank you Sir. I will edit my comment. Looking forward to another video. Like the windmill project. Would like to hear more that, the process of getting paid or creating your own power, how it works. My wife and I have talked about solar panels maybe.

[@lostrambler1]

I just watched your video and will have confidence in opening a 33hp Johnson outboard electric. Thanks thousand$

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

awesome to hear, thanks for watching

[@d.l.huntministries8131]

Great Video ! Very good information. Thank You !! A great Hoppy , glad that I am getting into it...

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Glad to hear it!

[@hammer9856]

"Make it shine like a diamond in a goat's butt." ... Now that's one I hadn't heard before; conjures up quite an image. LOL

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Worked with a guy many moons ago that use to say that, stuck with me.

[@mikebadilla6970]

Thank you very much.Mike from michigan

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

You are welcome!

[@rickbokern4179]

I have two just like that. A 73 25hp and a 72 25hp. The 72 is a 50th anniversary edition with electric start. Both in great condition. Thanks for another great video !

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Very cool! you are welcome for the video. Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@brngrofdeth]

Honestly hope I am not blind, but I can't find part 2! Thanks for this info man. Love and blessings from Ontario Canada!

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

You missed it. Here is the link to it. Thanks for watching. kzbin.info/www/bejne/housaJ6br9tgp7s

[@brngrofdeth]

@@Michaelsbackyardmarina Thank you very much!

[@johntalbert8890]

Hi Greg, I'm thoroughly enjoying your videos. As 30 year auto mechanic but never really got into outboards until a couple of years ago. I'm on my third outboard. Last year purchased a 1990 Lund 16' Rebel. It came with a 1989 Johnson 25 HP remote. The boat is rated at max HP of 75. Nothing wrong with the 25, It pushes me and my son to top speed of 22 MPH. I would like to bump up to a 50-60 HP OMC . Keeping my eye out for one in my area,. Don't let the haters bug you about using thread inserts. We use them all the time in the auto repair world, From blind holes to spark plug holes. Good practice is when you are cutting threads, back off every 2 to 3 turns, to clean out the threads on the tap. Also Tap Magic is great for cutting threads. Every shop should have can on hand. Keep up the good work.

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Thank you for comments. Yep tap magic is one that I have used for years in my tool maker trade. Keep up the fun new hobby

[@johntalbert8890]

@@Michaelsbackyardmarina You bet, Sorry for calling you Greg.

[@chriseisele9969]

Love your videos not to mention your shirts lol

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Glad you like them!

[@Earthneedsado-over177]

This is an entertaining video but the windmill makes it sound like the shop is haunted! I miss the 20 horsepower johnson I had when I was a kid. I ran the pants off of that motor and it just kept going and going.

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

They seem to be good old motors for sure.

[@unsaltedlife5998]

It’s going to be a strong engine when you get the head done. I have a 1886 25 seahorse that has 145 compression. It runs like a new engine.

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

that is real good compression

[@leiframbjor8462]

Any suggestions on how to get a drive shaft out of the power head. It's very very stuck.

[@Dudlushka]

Could you please tell me whats the name and purpose of the small tube that comes from upper cylinder (next to the fuel pump but on the other cylinder) to the intake side? (Mine is leaking and spits - maybe unburnt fuel?)

[@yoursuccess]

Whats the 4" cylinder that your using between pump housing and drive shaft? Mine did not have that or is missing?

[@fishlovme]

I had a motor given to me once with a spark plug that someone made in order to fit a larger hole they must've drilled out. That motor never ran the way I think it had the potential to. I bet it had low compression in that cylinder Eventually I sold it. Had i known there was a kit like that for spark plugs I would've tried to use one! Also wish I had a compression tester back then. The motor started and idled beautifully, but at full throttle it felt like it was only running on slightly more than one cylinder.

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

It may have solved the problem for you. Great story, thanks for sharing.

[@fishlovme]

@@Michaelsbackyardmarina I knew nothing about motors back then other than to change a spark plugs and add gas and oil to them! Thanks to channels like yours my knowledge is slowly growing!

[@badgerbob2226]

Is you head warped? no not your head the head on the outboard LOL. nice video on the wind generator. keep at it buddy we enjoy the videos.

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

My head has always been a little off center. I will be checking the head for warpage. Thank you for the comments.

[@jester0201ify]

I have this exact motor on my boat right now. My prop needs replacing and there are so many that I have no idea which one to get.

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Solas.com and look up your prop for that out board.

[@thomashuskey3531]

Hey brother !

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Good morning!

[@travisjohnson8289]

I have little bit of white smoke after I run mine for a while. Once at idle it we'll do it. I was thinking head gasket. One other thing I keep losing prime in the ball for the fuel.

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

check your plugs for rust. could be a head gasket. Check your compression. Hard for me to see white smoke on an old two stroke. As for the bulb, could be a bad bulb. Thanks for watching.

[@jonirish323]

Any chance that you could share the “plans” for the 55 gallon test drum? I don’t have space for a big one like you have, but I could definitely for a 55 gallon drum.

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Check out my channel , I have a video building the blue barrel test tank

[@jkbichsel]

Hi - Love your videos - May I ask the brand of Cleaner you are using? Thanks

[@rocko112camaro]

Picked up a jon boat & trailer on Craiglist. It came w/ a 1970 20 hp (20R-70E) short shaft outboard. It looked like someone rigged an electric start on it. Trying to clean it up and restore it. I took the remote start off for now (the button and solenoid were rusted and weathered). Will try to add a newer solenoid and button later. The motor is clean, starts and runs every time I connect it to the battery by itself. Even when its on the off position. When I switch it off it won't turn off, unless I disconnect the battery. ????????

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Sounds like you have a wire out of place.

[@rocko112camaro]

@@Michaelsbackyardmarina Thats what I was thinking. But can't figure out which one. It has to be a wire going to the starter. Both battery wire are connected top&bottom post to starter. I'm thinking when I disconnected solenoid& starter button I have both battery wires going to the starter. When I connect the battery the motor starts by itself. Even when off (off on - on/off switch on motor) it starts and runs.

[@-theJoker-]

Beautiful man. Can I ask what products do you use for cleaning without damaging gaskets or stuff?

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Super clean or Simple Green works well for me.

[@paullahocki2539]

I'll take it

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

take it where?

[@paullahocki2539]

@@Michaelsbackyardmarina I'm in Tulsa Oklahoma and it's hard to find an outboard that has a title. No title = not legal to run on any public waters. I was just kidding.

[@richardcranium5839]

that wind mill sound might drive me nuts if i had to listen to it all day. kinda like jimmy hoffa going through the meat grinder. then again i might get used to it and never notice it. nice catch on rocking the motor shaft at the gearbox. right borderline. might want to check the bearings if there's that much play. or is the seal rubber that hard???

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Eventually I will build me a tower and it will be on its' own pole and the sound will then go away.

[@stephenshelton8538]

Just to ask …. 1975 Johnson 15hp , on the carburetor according to the parts manual their is a needle bearing inside the slow speed needle hole how does that go in ? With the needle or push in buy hand ? Never seen anyone put one in . Please help

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

I just used the needle myself

[@RN67POST]

Great fix ? Where do you get that insert kit? Great video 😬

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

I got mine at Napa Auto

[@MarshallBLewis]

I have this exact motor and I bought a carb kit to try to make it run better because it was surging and wanting to stall at idle. The brass needle seat is extremely tight to screw in all the way. It starts out fine but then becomes extremely tight before it's seated all the way. I was starting to chip off pieces of brass on the seat screw because I'm trying to put so much force on it to get it to keep turning in. The result is that the needle is higher than it should be which causes the float arm to have to bend for the float to be flat. I still installed it and it idles and trolls fine but wants to die at full throttle cuz it's not getting enough fuel through the needle valve because the float is incorrectly positioned. Have you come across this problem of aftermarket carb kits having brass seats that are too tight to screw in all the way? Thanks for your help

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

I run into that a lot with the Amazon or off brand seats. I honestly will use the old seat and new float needle and have no issues to date. Thanks for watching

[@MarshallBLewis]

@@Michaelsbackyardmarina Okay good to know I'm not the only one. I'm glad I kept the old seat. Thanks for the help

[@veronshaverjr8273]

where did you get that clamp you are holding the head down with? just asking thank you

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

amzn.to/3vC7rjz follow the link to amazon for the clamp you are asking about

[@moedog5087]

I'm about to start restoring a mouse infested 35 hp johnson. Any harm in pressure washing it off? especially if I'm replacing most of the mouse chewed wiring componets?

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

should be fine

[@billco-9801]

Hey Michael, I can’t find repair kit like that. What manufacturer, model and size is the spark plug thread repair kit that you have? Also where did you get yours? Bill

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

www.autozone.com/test-scan-and-specialty-tools/thread-repair/oemtools-spark-plug-thread-repair-system/141511_0_0?spps.s=1902&cmpid=LIA:US:EN:AD:NL:1000000:GEN:71700000069889792&gclid=CjwKCAiAlNf-BRB_EiwA2osbxRQlMRW2WBr1Z1z2Rua2d7YdpP2nKoo7nr6Q_8NoSNZ1GcKuwq34NxoCnNwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[@billco-9801]

@@Michaelsbackyardmarina Thanks Michael

[@billco-9801]

@@Michaelsbackyardmarina In stock at my local AutoZone $29.99, picking one up tomorrow. I looked around on the internet...DUH, I never thought about checking local AutoZone.

[@johnb5519]

Looks like an Evinrude lower unit and tiller handle. Most of the best aftermarket performance aluminum cylinder heads for automotive applications come with heli coiled threads, because they are far superior to just aluminum.

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Thank you for the insight on the Evinrude parts and thank you for commenting and watching.

[@jonathancastro9770]

I have a quick question where can I get in contact with you I have a 20hp Johnson and want some advice

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

my email is in the description, thanks for watching

[@joeleblanc3433]

Sure am curious as to where you guy's that make a living doing this stuff find parts for them old motors. I got an 88 mercury 45hp classic fifty that the lower carb that needs replacing. can't find a new or used one anywhere. any suggestions?

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Have you tried marineengine.com?

[@joeleblanc3433]

@@Michaelsbackyardmarina yes I did. been discontinued mercury is no longer supporting the parts for them old carberated engines. well that wouldn't be right you can still get some things. gaskets, carb kits just not major components.

[@gillgetter3004]

Used plug inserts on other type small engines and even auto engines no problem

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

It is some good stuff for sure. Thank you for watching and your comments.

[@inoneday13]

Do you know how much this motor weighs? Im looking at buying one but i cant go over 100lbs

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

maybe 80 lbs

[@jciam5135]

Do you have a link for the tap and inserts? thanks

[@jciam5135]

never mind, I scrolled down and saw you had answered that question. I suggest you always put a link for all the goodies

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

I'm trying to get better at it. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@brianbarrett9073]

Where is this guy located at I have the same 20 hp Johnson that won't run

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Eastern Iowa but I don't work on motors for others.

[@robkika4746]

Who do you order your parts from?

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Marineenging.com

[@elbowout]

You should have tested the CONDENSER!!!

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

should have, thanks for watching

[@javiersilva2416]

En español

[@Michaelsbackyardmarina]

Thanks for watching

[@jamescsmith4251]

My name is James c Smith I'd like to see if Michael would be interested in an outboard company going out of business in Port St Lucie Florida they're interested in selling out their parts stock and they have lots of parts for small outdoors like he works on I just had my $99 down there the name of the company is St Lucie outboard Marine you need to try to get in touch with them