graygun
Hunter
I got one from CL for $225 two days ago. It's a '72 and runs in the barrel...points ignition. Anyone have one? I saw some YT vids,seem to run well.
25 hp Johnson
- Thread starter graygun
- Start date
powder smoke
Hawkeye
No experience with one of those. But generally outboards last pretty well
and run for years. A tune up, get the cob webs out should give you good service. ps
and run for years. A tune up, get the cob webs out should give you good service. ps
toysoldier
Hunter
I wish I still had that much horsepower in my johnson. 
coach
Hunter
Little blue pills can put the umph back in that motor.
noahmercy
Blackhawk
I worked on boats for an OMC (Outboard Marine Corp...Johnson and Evinrude) dealer for a number of years. The ol' 25 horse was a great engine. Just keep the water pump changed every couple of years. (While they potentially can last MUCH longer, changing them regularly means fasteners won't get frozen and the impellers can get prematurely messed up by sand or grit...it's cheap insurance.) Also, run ethanol-free gas with good oil (this is one of the few times I recommend using the manufacturer's product), make sure to winterize it if you will let it sit more than two months, and run Engine Tuner through it a couple times a year to decarbon the pistons. Make sure you use a quality anode...many of the aftermarket ones are junk. And make sure the anode isn't painted! Looks nice, but then it won't offer protection from corrosion.
Enjoy, partner!
Enjoy, partner!
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
An old 'Johnson' will probably need a new impeller either now or later. Don't forget to change and check the lube in the lower unit and if it is pull start put a new rope on it. I had one and the timing plate that holds all the points and stuff was loose and the thing wouldn't idle worth a damn but it would sure get up and go. 
rugerjunkie
Hunter
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2005
- Messages
- 2,048
What noahmercy and jimbo said. Seems like a pretty good price for that much horsepower if it runs decent. And glad to hear you didn't buy a Merc!
Sounds good. Beats the 3 1/2 HP Eclipse I traveled Rhode River and Muddy Creek with.
I'll also ask again...What is "YT"?
I'll also ask again...What is "YT"?
rugerjunkie
Hunter
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2005
- Messages
- 2,048
graygun said:
My friend here at the lake that operates a marina and shop has all brands come through the door with various issues but swears up n down its all the Mercs he gets in that keeps the repair business going strong.
I have always had Johnsons. My Dads best friend is a hell of a mechanic and he steered me towards them when I was young. Cant ever remember having an issue with one except for routine maintanence...or me being the cause of the problem running in mud or trying to drive up rapids! :mrgreen:
hickoryhillbill
Single-Sixer
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2014
- Messages
- 113
You beat me by 3 years. I have a 1975 model. Still runs like a charm.
Funny thing,the ad said it was "a 80s motor". He was clueless about this stuff and had never even had the cowl off. We took it off for some reason and started it via the rope(it had elec that was added at some point);I wanted to see if it pumped water. He'd never used the rope or manually actuated the choke.
I may try it in the river on Monday,God willin'.
I may try it in the river on Monday,God willin'.
Darn, reminds me of the Alan Jackson song. But his was a 75 Johnson.
graygun said:
He was late to that party by several decades. Stevie "Guitar" Miller did it a couple of decades earlier.
Colonialgirl
Hawkeye
WOW, Way back in 1961, I bought a 16 ft runabout that had a 25 horse Evinrude on it. Plenty of power and never had a starting problem. It used the old Pull rope. Worse thing I ever owned was a Sears 10 hp I used to push my 8 ft Dingy with when I lived aboard my sailboat, that little motor was the most useless thing going.
coach
Hunter
I have a '90s 40 hp Johnson on a 16' aluminum boat. Not too much power.
My folks had a 25 hp on a 14' fiberglass runabout in the 60s that would pull us waterskiing. We weighed a lot less back then.
My folks had a 25 hp on a 14' fiberglass runabout in the 60s that would pull us waterskiing. We weighed a lot less back then.
coach
Hunter
Bird River, a small tributary off the Gunpowder River near Whitemarsh and Aberdeen Proving Grounds. We used to hear the big gun testing sometimes. A terrific place for a kid to spend time on the water.
I heard with a Johnson if you put a little "additive" in the tank it will run pretty good for around 4 hours.
