Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: 1975 Johnson 70 for my 66 Sakonnet...
Posted by Jet Wrench on 05/26/10 - 3:51 AM
#1
Need to power my 66 Sakonnet. Got on Craigslist a couple of days ago and found a 70HP Johnson attached to an old bass boat south of where I live. It had been sitting for a couple of years, but it is all there. Couldn't pass it up for $100.00! I was told the compression is good, so I took the plunge yesterday and drove out to check it out. Not only did I get the OB, but was able to get the throttle controls, teleflex, two gas tanks and fuel lines, steering wheel and attaching hardware and OMC engine instruments! I managed to remove all the cables without introducing any kinks. That being said, I know I will need to remove and replace at least one coil and definitely the carb rebuid kits and water impeller. One coil had cracked from the Texas heat having sit out for so long. It's got a clean stainless prop and it is a short shaft . How has this model held up over time? Anything I should be aware of right off the bat? I appreciate the heads up, you'll get tired of hearing from me! Thanks in advance. Jet Wrench
Posted by annapoliswhaler on 05/26/10 - 8:53 AM
#2
I had a 73 Evinrude 70 hp on my Nauset until last spring. compression was still good. The automatic choke went on it, and had trouble finding the parts.... but it still ran well. After 36 years, we figured we had gotten our money from it! P.S. - our kicker motor is a '72 6hp Evinrude! We have run the poop out of that one trolling and crabbing!
Posted by Joe Kriz on 05/26/10 - 8:57 AM
#3
The 16'/17' models need a 20 inch
LONG SHAFT motor.
The 15 inch short shaft will NOT work.
Posted by Jet Wrench on 05/27/10 - 5:30 AM
#4
My bad.... ran down the numbers (70ESL75EJ3288862) and I believe it is a 20" shaft, (thanks Joe!, keep me in line!). It does not have electric tilt and trim. Is it worth it (time and money) to retrofit the engine? If anyone has done the mod, please let me know. I would appreciate the input.
Posted by Derwd24 on 05/27/10 - 9:15 AM
#5
I'd price out all the parts you think you'd need to get it up to your liking including prop, paint, etc. Then from that list, pick just the parts you'd need to get it running to see how it performs. See if the two amounts are acceptable to you given the age of the engine. You could also pull the head and inspect the cylinder walls and piston heads to check for any issues before investing any money, but you'd need to get a new head gasket.
Do you know if it was properly prepped before it was put away?
Posted by Joe Kriz on 05/27/10 - 12:22 PM
#6
Jet,
I have converted 2 different Evinrude 70 motors and added trim and tilt units.
When I purchased my prior 1978 Montauk it had a brand new 1985 Evinrude 70hp without trim and tilt.
I used the boat once and quickly decided the motor needed to have trim and tilt.
So, I purchased the kit directly from an Evinrude dealer and it cost me $600 dollars. It was well worth it to me as I owned the boat for 15 years.
I also added trim and tilt to a buddies 1977 Montauk with an Evinrude 70 hp on it. He purchased a brand new trim and tilt unit off of eBay for $250...
It's hard for us to say if it is worth it to you or to put it on such an older motor.
Posted by Jeff on 05/27/10 - 12:53 PM
#7
The that motor design was used I believe up through the 90's so, it was a very well proven powerplant. A friend of mine in North East Maryland has a set of them on his 21 Revenge as well as a spare. These are the original motors to the boat and still run great. The tilt trim on the early to mid 70's 3 cylinder OMC motors were unique and you will likely not find a tilt trim system for yours. They used a trim motor that mounted to the side of the motor bracket and had a single cylinder in the bracket. You can not fit a later tilt trim system in this bracket either. Most end up buying a newer trashed 3 cylinder motor, remove the motor bracket and install it on their early - mid 70's motor. It is a direct bolt in place. Lockeman's here in Detroit has done this to many early - mid 70's Inline 3 and V4 OMCs. The other option is a CMC trim unit which looks very clunky, or a Panther Marine trim unit which looks much better but, very expensive.
I have a 1974 Evinrude 85hp V4 on my 1976 Newport and really love it. It starts on the first turn nearly ever single time. It runs so smooth, idles so well, and does fairly well on fuel so, I just can not justify getting rid of it. I just repainted it and added a OEM vintage V4 tilt and trim unit (that I got from Lockemans) 2 years ago.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/...directlink
I suggest you give Dave Zammitt at Lockeman's here in Detroit and see if he has a trim tilt unit for your motor. He has a very extensive collection of old parts. Since many of our motors here in the Great Lakes last forever thanks to the cool freshwater he always tries to keep as many old parts around as he can. He is a great guy and always willing to help out Whaler owners. I know he has shipped parts out to owners all over the us to keep their old OMCs running
http://www.lockemans.com/
Edited by Jeff on 05/27/10 - 1:28 PM
Posted by Jet Wrench on 05/27/10 - 7:23 PM
#9
I really appreciate all of your inputs! I picked up a used CMC PT-130 hydraulic tilt / trim plate today that mounts between the transom and the engine. It is very well engineered unit that can accomodate up to a 130HP engine. It is made from aircraft aluminum, and has the motor and ram integrated in the plate. I will need to make a switching control. I will use four solenoids to switch DC polarity for up and down funtionality. I will mount the control in a sealed box inside the center console with a quick connector for a clean installation. I won't be able to use the throttle / shift control that came with the engine, unless I mounted it on the side of the console and used a separate switch for tilt/trim. This would be very unsightly with the throttle cables entering back in the console from the right side. I will need to purchase a throttle/shift assy. that will work with the console and accept the OMC cables that I already have, and have the tilt/trim switch integrated in the thottle assy. There are a few on the market, just haven't decided which one to get. It looks pretty straight forward. I will need to have a separate start key location. I think I can use the original Teleflex steering cable in addition to the thottle/shift cables. I inspected the engine and found a cracked coil. I ordered the coil, carb rebuild kits (with floats) and the water impeller kit. So far I am into the hull, engine, trim/tilt plate and replacement motor parts for less than $1400.00. I think I can get on the water after prime and paint for less than $2000.00, not counting my labor. I ruled out gelcoat and will be painting the hull with IMRON aircraft paint (Matterhorn white). I know this sounds a bit unorthodox, but I plan to apply the inside of the hull with a truck bed liner coating. With a good prep it should last a very long time, and also no need for anti-skid! White is available. These are my current plans! I will post some pics soon!
Jet
Edited by Jet Wrench on 05/27/10 - 7:24 PM