1975 Johnson 6hp

[RCR]

So I've got a 1976 Johnson 6 hp that my Dad bought new and we've used for years on sneakboxes/jon boats etc. until about 5 years ago.  I've been tinkering with it for the last couple months to see if its still dependable.  It starts sometimes on the third pull and sometimes many more, and I've run it in gear for a solid 10 minutes in a tank.  Does this motor just need a tuneup / carb cleaning to be solid?  I have an older displacement hull sneakbox that this would be perfect for.  Thanks in advance.

[Bucndoe]

Take the carb out and clean it good and you should be good. However, those older Johnson's had a cork float in the carb. If that's what you have, rebuild it with a newer plastic float. They still make the rebuild kits but you will be hard pressed to find another carb itself. If you do, you will pay big bucks for it.

[electricstart]

Also check for cracks in coil which you can try to silicone. Replace plugs and wires.

[Mr12gauge]

My friend had me to take 1 gallon of gas and put a whole bottle of seafoam in it. I got it started and in 5 minutes it was purring like a kitten. Seafoam works.

[Bucndoe]

47 minutes ago, Mr12gauge said:

My friend had me to take 1 gallon of gas and put a whole bottle of seafoam in it. I got it started and in 5 minutes it was purring like a kitten. Seafoam works.

That's great for preventive maintenance after a thorough carb cleaning, but it ain't an alternative to it. It doesn't take much to plug up those jets in those carburetors.

If you run well treated fuel through your motor you will rarely have a carb issue.

Edited April 15, 2023 by Bucndoe

[Mr12gauge]

This was on a motor that was sitting a while and I couldn't get it to idle. I seafoamed it instead of taking the carb off and it worked great. So I will say that it was a definite alternative to taking it apart and cleaning it out.

 

[Bucndoe]

3 hours ago, Mr12gauge said:

This was on a motor that was sitting a while and I couldn't get it to idle. I seafoamed it instead of taking the carb off and it worked great. So I will say that it was a definite alternative to taking it apart and cleaning it out.

 

Even a broken clock is right twice a day

Edited April 15, 2023 by Bucndoe

[Woodsman416]

Seafoam!....Clears clogged passages, fixes sunken floats, seals porous fuel bowls, repairs damaged needle and seat valves, it'll even core a apple! LOL

[Mr12gauge]

Well I guess you know everything.

[RCR]

Thanks for the suggestions! I was hoping the motor just needs some maintenance. My best bet is to have it professionally gone over, the use sea foam for upkeep. 

[jumpthestring]

Those old Johnson's run forever.

[hunterbob1]

1 hour ago, jumpthestring said:

Those old Johnson's run forever.

Yup The sea horse

[RCR]

On 4/16/2023 at 1:44 PM, jumpthestring said:

Those old Johnson's run forever.

Thats what I'm hoping for!  Any suggestions on shops that work on these older motors?  I'm in South Jersey.  

[hunterbob1]

5 minutes ago, RCR said:

Thats what I'm hoping for!  Any suggestions on shops that work on these older motors?  I'm in South Jersey.  

Yup

http://www.trixieslanding.com/partners/

[Bucndoe]

2 hours ago, RCR said:

Thats what I'm hoping for!  Any suggestions on shops that work on these older motors?  I'm in South Jersey.  

It ain't hard to do yourself. Just get the recoil assembly out of your way to get to the carb. Make sure to secure the spring in place, or else you have a bigger problem.