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I noticed Joe's thread today indicating the ETEC 130 and 115 HO are on the market. I had my boat out today and my old companion continues to run as smooth as silk. When the day comes that I experience a failure of the power head or lower end, will rebuilding be a good option to consider? I would love to hear from some of you that have already been down that road. I realize that there are things to gain by going to a new unit, but the 85' Johnson sure runs well here in small lake country. Thanks in advance for your responses. :)

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My father still has a 1973 Johnson V4 that has never needed significant repair . . . not even a bad coil. Just an occasional carb rebuild when the boat sits for a year or so with oily gas in there. Those things are bulletproof, especially when you're in fresh water. Now once somebody does a rebuild on it, reliability could change dramatically (for the worse). Or it could continue to be bulletproof. It all depends on how good the mechanic is.

The main benefit you'll see with the new motor is much better fuel economy and virtually no smoke. Cold starting is easier with the new ones as well, but not that much easier if your motor is well maintained and you keep the gas fresh. Personally, I think you'll save so much money with the rebuild that it's hard to pass up. Especially if you are happy with the characteristics of the motor.

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I had an '87 48 SPL, It ate a ring one day in 1998 for breakfast, We re-built it ( my friend and myself), it ran a bit "Crisper" with the new "Bore out" and pistons, it lasted a long time (they tell me it's still running), I retired it because, it gave "Full Duty", and I did'nt want to run (with a new family) on a 17 year old outboard, so in '05 I bought a left over 04' Johnson 50 H.P, I wish they still made the "48 spl" I would have bought another one, due to the extreme use an outboard goes through (5500 rpm and in salt water), anything over 10 years old, and you're on "Borrowed time".
mw

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Troy,
Just take care of that old `85 Johnson. In the area where you live a freshwater motor like yours should last for many many years, Keep it tuned, change the impeller every couple of years, and keep It undercover when not in use. I have a `58 Evinrude Lark that I bought from the upper Mid West that runs perfect. I used if for a while on my 13` Whaler, The only reason I replaced it with a new motor is it burned a lot of gas, and I didn`t want to use it in salt water. I will be building a wooden runabout for this motor, and I`ll run it at the Antique outboard meets, and also on inland Florida lakes.
If your motor runs great just enjoy it.

rich

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I think each owner has to look at their individual use and make their own determination based on usage, location, safety factor and economy. I wanted a new motor for the reliability and safety factor being that i knew i would be going a long ways offshore. If your in an area that a tows not an issue, and burning more gas and oil isn't either, stay with what you have. It takes a very long time to re-coup the price of a new motor, but they sure are nice. :D

Duf B)

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The fresh water is a real issue regarding longevity. You're right Duf, we look at things differently when going out on the ocean or in the gulf vs boating on an Iowa lake. (By the way, maybe this thread will be like your ETEC thread and go on for weeks!! :D) Rich, you hit the nail on the head too. I think part of my enjoyment with my boat is that my 23 year old engine still purrs like a kitten. BTW, is the impeller change something that I can do by myself? I'm sure the retired gent I bought it from didn't get around to that bit of service. He only used the boat on occasion during the short Minnesota season. Thanks Boys! B)

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Well perhaps it will, but it will surely be a better subject to debate then what my thread was about. I can do without ANY more threads along that line. The bright side is, we got a whole lot of good info out of it, and thanks to Seahorse, i'll be picking up that kit which will make my life a whole lot simpier when it comes to flushing my motor out!

If you can, pick up a manual on your engine. Changing the impeller shouldn't be to difficult on your year motor i'm thinking.

Duf B)

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I have added the impeller project to my winter list. I'll let you know how it goes. B)

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Troy, if you enjoy old motors why not join AOMCI -Antique Outboard Motor Club Inc. It is an international Club, and has a branch in your area, I`m sure. Its inexpensive to belong to, and they have monthly meets on local lakes, Your Whaler and your `85 Johnson will be welcome even though its not considered an antique its considered a classic. I`ve seen outboards and boats from the `20`s through the `80s. They`re all a great bunch of people with a wealth of knowledge of old outboards, and will help you in keeping your Johnson running like new. I used to bring my `61 13` Whaler with its `58 Evinrude Lark to the meets, and the help I got making it run like new was amazing. I recently bought a new Merc 25 for the boat, as I usually use it in salt water, and the old Evinrude was very thirsty, but I`m getting ready to build a wooden 12` Glen-L runabout from plans, so I can run the old Evinrude at the AOMCI meets next year. My avatar shows my antique raceboat which I also bring and run at the meets. Great Club, great people.

Just google AOMCI for info on the club.

rich

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Thanks for the tip Rich. Sounds like a great idea. Perhaps in the winter time we could run our antique powered sleighs on top of the frozen lakes...oh wait, I guess that would be powered by a horse! :D Seriously though, it sounds like fun. I know a fellow here in my town that collects antique outboard motors. It's really a hobby unto itself - and a cool one at that!

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Wow, you kow you're getting old when someone says a 1985 motor is considered a Classic!

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I agree with Duf on this one -- it depends on how you use your boat. Each case is different. If I were a guy who fished offshore all the time I would feel much better having a new engine back there. If I were on lake with land on every side keep the old one running.

My father has an older boat that I can remember fishing in as a younger man. This summer he blew the mid 70's 35hp evinrude. That motor had run like a top since I was in high school. Turned out when he replaced the lower unit the shaft was not straight and it twisted the water pump housing covering the intake hole. Well you can imagine how that worked out. He shopped around and found another mid 70's 35hp johnson. it runs strong and sips fuel -- not to mention you do not need to have a computer to diagnose engine problems. There is quality in some of the older engines that you just can not put a price on.

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Rob,
my feeling exactly. I like my new Merc/Tohatsu 25, but when when I take the cowling off, it reminds me that I am tied to the dealers umbilical cord. The old OMC`s were easy to work on yourself, and the older they were the easier they were. Of course the gas and oil usage thing is another story.

rich

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Gas and oil usage is always part of a well thought out engine buying decision. However with someone like me who puts 3 to 5 hours per week on the engine, its not as big of a factor as it is for some of the WC family. And as stated above, going offshore with a boat trumps a lot of the other factors and could lead to a new engine purchase sooner rather than later. I've always intended to run this one until something catastrophic happens, which may be many years from now. I knew you guys would come up with some great insights as my 'been there, done that' experts! By the way Cliff, the more hair I lose, the more I am reminded that things built in the 80's can actually be classics now! :D

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I hear ya brother!