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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Pitfalls for a 40 year old 2 stroke?

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/02/2013 : 08:30:18

A friend of mine has a 1973 Johnson 2hp 2-stroke outboard he's offered to sell me for $200. I haven't seen it in person, but from the pictures it looks like it's virtually new old stock. There's absolutely no wear on the prop at all, no streaks on the drive leg, no rust, etc. It looks like it's been sitting in someone's storage area since the Nixon administration and never used. Unsurprisingly, it doesn't run.

A carb rebuild kit is $15. It weighs 22lbs, which is comparable to a new Honda 2hp 4-stroke. I'm considering it, but want to know what kind of pitfalls I may be in for.

It was designed to run on leaded gas, but don't 2 strokes use reed valves and not "regular" valves, and so is this a consideration? I know I'll have to swap out all the fuel lines so they won't get eaten by the alcohol in E-10 gas. Anything else to consider?

David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor

Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2013 : 09:30:46

Compression?

Paul

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2013 : 10:35:34

I don't know anything at all about these or other new Chinese made 2 stroke outboards, but at $280-360 for new compared to $200 for a 40 yrs old Johnson...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Heavy-Duty-Boat-Engine-Two-Stroke-3-5HP-Outboard-Motor-Water-Cooled-/300977715749?pt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item4613ab7a25&vxp=mtr

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2013 : 11:31:28

That Chinese puppy is a lot heavier--37.5 lbs. (for a 2-stroke)--and the price makes me wince.

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szymek
Navigator

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Canada
209 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2013 : 12:17:57

I'm quite certain 10 years down the road old Johnson will continue running same as today. I wonder if same can be said about Chinese motor for around 300.

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2013 : 14:25:10

Hmmm, I had a 2hp Evinrude of that same vintage (it was brand new at the time, so I must have been 2 years old

) . Evinrude and Johnson were OMC "identical twins" at the time. Integral gas tank, 360 rotation with no transmission, right?

I never worked on it, so can't comment on what you might need to do. I had to replace the ignition coil on a lawn mower once because it corroded so badly. You might have to do that on this one.

I'd say go for it, especially if it's so lightly used that there's no prop wear. You could end up with a real gem.

Edited by - TakeFive on 10/03/2013 12:43:38

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5376 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2013 : 16:10:45

My mid-70s British Seagull 40Plus 2HP 2 stroke is still running. I've owned it since the early 90s and it never fails to amaze me.
If I run the carburetor bowl dry and remove the old gas after use, the next year it usually starts on one or two pulls.
I keep it out of the weather and run it once or twice a season.
If the Johnson is anything like the Seagull, I'd say go for it. Offer him $150 and see whether he'a willing to dicker.
I saw a guy with a 22 foot something a few weeks ago at the marina with a 40Plus and his experience is the same as mine. I'd imagine the Johnson would be similar.

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2013 : 17:48:28

This brings up a point... If it has no shift (even if just F-N), things can get "interesting" when you start it--your dinghy tries to jump out from under you! My Honda 2 has a centrifugal clutch (no shifter), so as long as I start it at a near-idle throttle, it stays calm. I'd prefer a F-N shift like the little Suzuki, but I've learned to cope. (A friend bought a Suzuki 3.5--his wife couldn't pull-start it, so they borrowed my older Honda, and now they also have a Honda 2.3.)

In other words, it's not just whether it runs--it's <i>how</i> it runs.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 10/02/2013 17:51:19

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2013 : 20:34:43

There are a couple of different ways to atomize fuel in old 2 strokes. A metal diaphragm is probably the most common. I would mix up some ETOH free fuel/oil, fog the cylinder(s) through the spark plug hole and the crankcase through a tube past the throttle plate and give it a try. I would offer no more than 150. 2 strokers are simple and ultra long lasting, but parts are increasingly less available.

Edit: My 1951 Johnson got a partial rebuild in the late '60's and was still going strong in the late 80's.

Edited by - Dave5041 on 10/02/2013 20:39:05

Arlington
Navigator

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USA
196 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2013 : 21:31:20

Dave I have a 93 Yamaha 2HP 2 stroke I use for a RIB dingy, I use ethanol free gas (in Tex and OKla you can find it for about the same price or about .25 cents a gallon more than regular E 10 gas) with Stabil and Seafoam, I never have to pull more than twice for it to start. You spin it around for reverse at idle speed - no problem. I also shut off the fuel and let it run till it stops, so there is no fuel left in the carb. There are plenty of cheap parts around. With regular maintenance I think it will run forever.
Doug

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2013 : 12:41:21

My 94'ish Johnson only had routine maintenance until the star button shorted about 3-4 years ago. I replaced the start button and it was fine, but my wife suggested that maybe it was time to get a nice quiet 4 stroke. She also encouraged me to get the Mercury since I liked the throttle/shift system. Ya gotta keep a wife like that!

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 10/11/2013 : 05:31:22

<< Anything else to consider? >>

Sorry... I can't help you.. the 4 Johnson outboards I have just keep running... Oh wait, the 1950's one needs a new cork in the bowl.

Ok not exactly right.. I just had to replace the fuel lines on the 1974 6hp I use on the boat right now. Not difficult to do.

West Marine did not have the fuel line, but Auto Zone did.

I'm not familiar with the 2hp engine, and I hesitate to tell anyone what I do to keep mine running ( anecdotal evidence ) but if you do buy it and you are having any problems I can probably suggest some things. My first suggestion though is take it to a shop with an old guy that complains about the war/hippies/taxes and have him look at it..

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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 10/11/2013 : 06:49:57

My Old Johnson had NO transmission of any kind, you had to spin it for reverse and I don't remember a neutral. By it as Man Cave Chic if nothing else. You can always mount is as a Significant Prize Lamp.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.