1975 Johnson 25hp Outboard Motor Lake Test

This motor had been sitting for about 5 years after being purchased on a boat by the owner. It needed the water pump, and ignition serviced as well as the starter wiring redone. it's an awesome running motor again after the tune up.

[@mikedurhan9941]

That's all a man needs right there. Great motor. Thanks for the video.

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

Agreed. This is a great motor. I really enjoyed running it even of it was only for a short time. Thanks for watching!

[@Playsinvain]

Small boat, small motor, large life

[@donparker8246]

Every time I see one of these old Johnson's, I can't help but think of my Dad. He worked at the Waukegan plant for 33 years until he retired in 86.

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

That's excellent! Glad to be able to bring those memories back. Thanks for watching!

[@Nudnik1]

So many other companies stole copied OMC now sadly gone. I grew up working on these in salt water marine mechanic long island new York. They still are running being used! A few 70 HP and V4 115 never died.

[@marksmith4582]

Sweet running 25 horse! Smooth as can be for a 1975 vintage Johnson! That’s definitely a nice one Ben! Go get warmed up after you get them back! Appreciate you sharing these with us! Mark in Iowa.

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

This is a beautiful running 25 horse. Very strong and smooth. It wasn't too awful out there on the lake. It made it up to about 50°F. The wind was kind of a pain, but I've been out in a lot worse. Thanks for watching, Mark!

[@TheGuy..]

Thank you for the 39 rides this year (I think my count is correct, lol). It'll be a pleasure to see you back next year.

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

Thank you and thanks for watching! I'll get out again if I get a chance, but it isn't very likely this year. With any luck I'll at least get in some test tank videos done over the off season.

[@-Viceroy-]

Nice, that sounds like a brand spanking new motor. Crisp idle of an old 2-stroke makes me feel fuzzy inside

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

It runs like a brand new motor too. This is a very strong and smooth 22c.i. 25hp OMC. It runs as perfectly as one could ask for and it still has the low-tension magneto. Everything has almost no wear on it so it still runs great with that ignition. Thanks for watching!

[@GlenB1963]

Super sweet ol girl. She'll go forever ❤️. Best wishes to you and all your viewers from Brisbane Queensland Australia 🇦🇺 👍

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

This is a sweet motor. It was very well taken care of while it's previous owner had it. It's current owner should he getting it on the water for some fishing this year. It was a pleasure to run this one. Thanks for watching!

[@jasper60103]

Nice runner. I would have kept my old Johnson had I found someone honest to work on it. Good job and thanks for sharing.

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

Thank you! This one was very well maintained and had just been sitting for several years. It was a pleasure to work on this one compared to many of the junkers I find that I rehabilitate for myself. Finding honest people to work on these things is not easy anymore. There are not a lot of shops around anymore that are willing to touch them because it is so easy to get more into the motor than what the finished product is worth. That and many new techs aren't trained or familiar with the older technology these motors use. Thanks for watching!

[@dannyrock5919]

Oh yeah that’s a nice one. I look forward to what you come up with next year! Thanks

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

It is a really nice one. Looks and runs great. Hopefully I will get some.of.the projects I hoped to.get finished for this year ready for next year. Thanks for watching!

[@lesabre1972]

so glad I was able to see that on my B-day Thank you

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

I'm glad you were as well. Thanks for watching and happy birthday!

[@johnbecker5213]

i have had alot of these 20/25 evinrude johnson's and on the older ones i drilled and tapped them for a piss tube, made it easy to check water pump op. good job runs great!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

I never really saw the need to add the tell tale, but as long as it is done well, there is certainly nothing wrong with adding it. Thanks! This is a great running motor. Thanks for watching!

[@davemilster]

Do you have a video on how to add the telltale water outlet? I’ve thought about doing this on my 1956 Johnson 15hp

[@johnbecker5213]

@@davemilsterthere vids on yt on how to do it, just beware of the exhaust cover and water plate best spot may be on top of #1 cyl not on head but on block try to find another engine similar that is apart so you can decide where you want it can go on exhaust cover if you drill in correct spot

[@davidparlee3102]

Maybe not a collectable motor as such but that would be a great one to add to a collection given the condition! Thanks for the video!!

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

I really like these motors and this one is a beauty. It will be going back to its owner before long. I will request that he take great care of it. Maybe someday I'll get the chance to add it to my collection. Thanks for watching, David!

[@davidparlee3102]

@@oldjohnnyrude8404 Might suggest your name and contact number on a piece of tape stuck to the inside of the hood so the owner doesn't forget!! LOL

[@scottdowns2934]

Nice set up ! 😊 it cranks !

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

Thank you! This boat scoots nicely with a 25. This is a sweet running 25. I think the owner will be pleased with it. Thanks for watching!

[@markcollins5026]

Man. I can smell the 2-stroke from here, that's why I don't care for my new 15hp 4-stroke, no smell !

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

Yeah, for those of us that are accustomed to the 2-stroke smell and associate it with boating, fishing, and good times the 4-strokes definitely do lack something. I love the 2-strokes for their power to weight ratio and their simplicity too. Thanks for watching!

[@hessranch]

I know how you feel. I grew up in the 60’s with that smell, love it

[@robertcary435]

Very nice! Thank you for sharing!

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@Michaelwalkerbluebrutusfunnyca]

my dad had one of these on a 12ft tinny boat we had years ago as i liked these Johnsons these was a dea set easy outboard tocare for in theday when my dad had it was a really good outboard as we had this outboard ion a 12ft tinny boat in Australia thiswas in Australia we had leaded fuel at the time we had this outboard as thiswas my first ever Johnson outboard thiswas outboard brought me alot of good memories thiswas really the case now good sorted of really good outboards made by OMC at the time and still really good and really nice outboards thiswas my views

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

I agree, these are excellent motors and straightforward to service and maintain. Thanks for watching!

[@Michaelwalkerbluebrutusfunnyca]

@@oldjohnnyrude8404 yes they are really good outboards was the best motor made by OMC in the day as thiswas really being a really good outboards was made by OMC in that year as i have learnt tofix the outboards by my dad years ago now im gonna really seek out these outboards in fute to fix and restore in futre as these was a really good outboards in my views as i knew thiswas based on my knowledge on these outboards as im an ex outboard mechanic i was taught to fix these outboards yearsago now but still have this knowledge in my head on these outboards as im gonna restore one of these outboards in futre as thiswas on a tinny boat in my dads memory in futre thiswas my hope in futre was get one of thee outboards in futre now as i will get one with say electric start and tiller steer for my tinny in fute as incase we knew these outboards was are really good motors based on my outboard servicing knowledge in these outboards thiswas my views hrrer in my boating knowledge in my life now

[@UncompressedWAVmusic]

At 3:40 to 4:06 he says he switched the propeller from an OMC 9" x 10" to a PJ18: 9 1/4" X 11". Then at 5:15 to 5:34 shows top speed of 26 mph. 1975 Johnson 25hp Outboard Motor Lake Test in 2023.

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

@@UncompressedWAVmusic Thanks for watching!

[@__Hoghunter]

I have 1974 25hp Evinrude I went through 6 weeks or so a go........ nothing like old 2 stroke

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

Nice! I have a '69 Evinrude 25 that I'm working on a '76 powerhead for. I hope to get that one up and running for next season. Definitely nothing like an old 2-stroke. Thanks for watching!

[@__Hoghunter]

@oldjohnnyrude8404 I don't miss none of your videos thank you sir

[@chuckcecconi8801]

26 mph.. very smooth engine..

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

I got very close to 27 mph a couple time with this motor. It's a great runner. It's one I would like to.add to my collection. Thanks for watching!

[@rainerneumeister5239]

Big speed. !! 👌

[@GeorgeBracht]

Nice job👍 I have a 1989 25 HP Evinrude I got from the original owner. My boat is a Lund S14. Pretty wide,deep & heavy I’m amazed at how well the 25 pushers it along. I’m assuming it’s the stock prop on it

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

Thank you. The 89 Evinrude 25hp is a 31c.i. powerhead and those are really strong running 25s. They'll scoot! Thanks for watching!

[@GeorgeBracht]

@@oldjohnnyrude8404 If interested I can forward you a picture Somo Lake 10 miles west of Tomahawk We try to go up there a couple times of year

[@LL.bean123]

I used to have a 1958 Elgin 12hp very clean condition and the gearbox decide to sizes up. I was mad so I traded it for a 1999 5 horse Honda

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

@@LL.bean123 I'm sure that was upsetting. The Elgin 12hp is a nice motor. They run well and are strong for their weight. The 5hp Honda is a nice motor, but taking the place of a 12hp means big shoes to fill. Thanks for watching!

[@kbarstad]

I just bought the same motor, or, within a couple years, given the colour scheme, and I’m having trouble getting her staying started. If you have the means to do so, it’d be a great resource to have online, I can’t even find the right owners manual to get part numbers and stuff 😭

[@lasbenols]

Great motor Ive got one myself but it smokes like a son of a gun thought it was the gas i mixed but i changed that and it didnt matter still have yet to get it out this year as im putting in a new starter. But yeah nice job!

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

Thank you! If it is smoking, at least you know you have oil mixed in the fuel. I use a lot of fully synthetic outboard oil, amd it does smoke less than a lot of the conventional or synthetic blend oils available. Thanks for watching!

[@Michaelwalkerbluebrutusfunnyca]

i meant was the sea horse 25hp outboards thiswas same outboard my father had years ago now

[@davidnicholls172]

Dear Johnny, I have a 35hp Johnson with a Model # J35R1-CTS Serial # F5794565. What year is It?

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

@@davidnicholls172 Your motor is a 1983 model. Thanks for watching!

[@davidnicholls172]

@@oldjohnnyrude8404 Thanks! I like your site.

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

@@davidnicholls172 Thank you!

[@davemilster]

I have a 1984 Evinrude 25 hp on a 14’ StarCraft Vee Alum boat. With me (stout) wife and a 180lb passenger, two batteries, two 6 gallon cans & trolling motor will push 27-28mph and 30ish with just two aboard. Is mine the larger displacement engine?

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

Yes, your '84 Evinrude is a 32c.i displacement powerhead. They're very nice strong runners. The '69-'76 25s were 22c.i. the earlier 25s from the 1950s were 35.7c.i. They were very strong runners as well and lots of torque with a max RPM of 4000. The 32c.i motors are powerful and fast. Thanks for watching!

[@donk499]

No need to replace this engine, it is a beautiful low hour 25hp for sure. Yeah, the low tension ignition is not great, but at least this engine still uses the conventional brass ring/mag plate set up. The other engines with the dam delrin plastic bushing tend to wear the bushing and crankcase pilot boss. This is a great engine, just not ideal for extended trolling... She's a beauty, spins that 11" prop nicely.

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

I agree 100%. This is a beautiful motor and it runs perfectly. These are not ideal.for trolling, but they're excellent engines. I don't use my 25s for trolling anyway. It doesn't suit the current owner's wants quite as well as it could, but I believe he'll be happy with it. If he gets a replacement, I have first dibs on this one and I'd be grateful to own it. Thanks for watching!

[@donk499]

@@oldjohnnyrude8404 What needs does the owner have that this engine does not fulfill? Trolling? No alternator? Power tilt?

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

@@donk499 Trolling and quiet mostly. Although I don't fond these motors that noisy he would use an electric if they weren't 3x the cost of an EFI 4-stroke for comparable power. On a gas engine, he would find the alternator a bonus to allow running electric accessories. All these things I understand, but I really like these motors.

[@donk499]

@@oldjohnnyrude8404 I do too buddy

[@Themarcustree]

Hay there love the video so I have a bunch of 75 johnson 15hp also got a 18hp parts motor I'm about to give it a away. Let me know thanks 👍

[@birdie1868]

Thanks for the video. I’ve got an Evinrude sportster model 25302. It’s a 1973 25 hp. Owners manual calls for 9x10 propeller. Could I put the same prop that you used on it?

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

That's a nice motor. I have two of the 18hp Fastwins in that vintage. Yes, the same prop I used on this motor will work on yours. If you're running it on a light boat, it will work great. The 9x10 is used on the 25hp 22c.i motors to keep the RPMs up in the high range since that's where those motors make their power. If they are lugged down below 5000RPM at WOT, they're not making the rated HP. Thanks for watching!

[@Nudnik1]

Best ...I had so many in salt water use still running. Grew up with these Johnson Evinrude OMC . So sad they are gone now. Yamaha Suzuki took over.

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

I agree, it is sad that these motors are no longer being made. BRP gave up on them, but at least BRP was able to continue to give life to them for quite a while past when their initial bankruptcy. Lots of them were made so lots are still around and viable motors to this day at the hands of a capable mechanic. Yamaha used a great many designs from OMC in their designs and I belive that helped make them the excellent motors they are today. Thanks for watching!

[@vtwinaddicted5852]

I am doing electric start conversion on a 76 evinrude 35hp, had a har time locating a points electric start flywheel, I took starter off a 81 with cd ignition didn't realize keyway 8n different position till I didn't have spark...lol, great video my friend

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

I would have guessed those flywheels in the electric start configuration would have been easier to find. Nice project and a good motor to have electric start on. Thanks for watching!

[@vtwinaddicted5852]

​@@oldjohnnyrude8404according to richards tools its a one year only?

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

@@vtwinaddicted5852 Yes, it is. In 1975, there was no 35hp made and in 1977, the ignition system changed to solid state from battery fired electronic ignition. The would make it a bit more difficult to find, but ifmd have thought the '76 electric start flywheels would be more plentiful than the rope start ones.

[@erichanson3961]

Smooth and fast...

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

@erichanson3961 Yessir! This is an excellent motors. Great power to weight ratio on these, and this one was SUPER clean!

[@erichanson3961]

@@oldjohnnyrude8404 I used to own a 69 Johnson 25. It was on a 1958 Lone Star (Malibu?) (with fins) Zippy fun.

[@jimboedecker1758]

I bought a 1984 Johnson 25 last summer which runs great. Where did you find the kill switch with the lanyard? I’d like to put the same thing on my motor.

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

You got a nice motor. The '84 25hp is a 31c.i powerhead 25hp which is a detuned version of the 35hp of the same year. I bought the Seachoice brand lanyard kill switch. I got mine on Amazon but they are available at many places that sell Seachoice brand marine products. I have used other no name kill switches before as well, but I find these to be of better quality and still at a good price point. Thanks for watching!

[@ParkerAlexander-vk5bb]

What RPM should they run at wide open?

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

These should run at around 5500-6000 RPM wide open. They run about 1000rpm faster than the 18hp 22c.i. motors. Thanks for watching!

[@ELCAZANOVIAS]

Can you pull a tube with it ??

[@UncompressedWAVmusic]

Yes of course you could.

[@ukaszkaro9598]

Exelent!

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

@@ukaszkaro9598 Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@markkus1134]

I have a 1994 evinrude on a 16’ stonington skiff it’s glass 475lbs does about 30mph have to watch out for the foam in the hood it will deteriorate and get sucked into carb causing it to run like crap mine does about 27 knots

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

Yes, the '94 Evinrude 25hp is a bigger displacement engine than this one and makes considerably more actual power. This is a 22c.i powerhead rated at 6000rpm. These might make about 22 actual HP at the crank at that rpm. The '94 is (I believe) still the 32c.i. powerhead and makes its power at a lower RPM with more torque. They'll really go. These 22c.i motors are quite a but lighter though, so they will work on a smaller, lighter boat than the 25s that came before or after them. That's good advice about the foam. Yes, it is very problematic when it starts to degrade and disintegrate. Thanks for watching!

[@markkus1134]

@@oldjohnnyrude8404 yes the foam actually rattles off in tiny bits and was all over the motor in carb too

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

@@markkus1134 Yes, that's what it does when it starts to degrade. I have come across many times.

[@Fishing_B_and_B]

What prop do you got on there because I have a yammaha 25hp 1980 an I wonder if it will go faster with a brand new prop on but I haven't ridden with it yet

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

I was running a Michigan Wheel PJ18 9.25x11P 3-blade aluminum propeller on this motor for this run. This 25hp is a 22c.i powerhead. I'm not sure what the displacement of the 1980 Yamaha is, but I'd assume it is closer to 30c.i. which will likely be able to effectively run a higher pitch. My 1986 Mercury 25hp came stock with a 13P prop. The 1969-1976 OMC 25s are hot rodded 22c.i motors that started out at 18hp. The later ones share the same displacement as the 35 hp and are detuned to 25. There is a definite difference between them. Thanks for watching!

[@Fishing_B_and_B]

@oldjohnnyrude8404 thanks I appreciate it

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

@@Fishing_B_and_B You're welcome!

[@Fishing_B_and_B]

@oldjohnnyrude8404 one last question please how long is your boat

[@bernardyancy8552]

Hey brother really like your channel You've mentioned a few times you were testing a customers motor so I take it you do work on other folks motors and not just your own?!😇 I am thinking you are not too far from point place here at the state line if n you do take on outside work how would I contact you?😇

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

Thank you. Yes, I do occasionally work on motors for other people. I'm an hour or so from Point Place. You can email me at bbreitner at hotmail dot com. We'll see if we can work something out. Thanks for watching!

[@austinchubing933]

Cool🎉

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

@@austinchubing933 Thanks for watching!

[@jimm1975]

Hey Jonny rude, I've got a question, rebuilding a 6 HP Evinrude magneto,new wires, Sierra points,cond,new OEM coils,but have no spark,I'm stumped, rebuilt 5-6 omc mag plates with no issues,not sure what the issue could be

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

Are your new wires well-seated in the coils? Are your plug terminals seated through the copper core? Are the terminals clean? Did you clean the points before you installed them? Are your coil wires going to the correct ser of points and the correct condenser? Is your points cam on upside right? Is the flywheel key in place and in good condition? Is the keyway in the flywheel in good shape? Are the points set properly? How were they set? Timing tool or feeler gauge? I'll start there. Maybe this will help. Thanks for watching!

[@jimm1975]

Hey thanks for the advice I finally figured out what was wrong with it, I had the coil wires going to the wrong set of points they were crossed switch them and I've got fire now like it should be not sure how I managed to do that

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

@@jimm1975 Excellent! Glad you got it figured out. I have seen that happen before even by folks who are fairly familiar with the OMC magnetos. As long as you got it corrected, all is well. 👍👍

[@jimm1975]

@@oldjohnnyrude8404 an amateur mistake on my behalf I've only done about four or five magnetos and various other repairs, through your videos and other KZbinrs that work on outboards, looking fwd to some new content from you, Thanks

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

@@jimm1975 You're welcome. I'll be glad when I get a chance to make some more videos and get back on the water. Life is busy right now and I have had very little opportunity for motor work this winter. Plenty of runners to get out and make some videos, but not a lot of new stuff to run yet. Thanks again for watching!

[@stevekamitsis1327]

Stavros in Florida says go 49 year old Johnson yes

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

@@stevekamitsis1327 And go it will! It's an excellent motor and was a lot of fun to run. Thanks for watching!

[@JonOffgrid]

🎉

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

@@JonOffgrid Thanks for watching!

[@lucatimer20khz]

360 or 521cc...??

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

This is the 22c.i. (360cc) powerhead. 1975 is the second to last year of this displacement powerhead in a 25hp. Thanks for watching!

[@vtwinaddicted5852]

Do you have an email that i can contact to ask some tips and tricks about pulling a 40hp stuck drive shaft?

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

I have done a few different things. I have used a vice grip pliers with a slide hammer attached if they're not horribly stuck that works. Just grip the drive shaft somewhere there is not a seal running on that surface. Hitting the end of the drive shaft with an air hammer will usually break the bond and allow it to be pulled out. There is another method too but it requires making some special tools. If you do want to contact, bbreitner at hotmail dot com.

[@vtwinaddicted5852]

@@oldjohnnyrude8404 thanks!!!

[@oldjohnnyrude8404]

@@vtwinaddicted5852 You're welcome!