Reply To: What should I beware of in restoring a 1979 4hp Johnsons Model 4BR79Donohnson

[billw]

I’d like to second what Fleetwin said about the tiny water passages. I guess if there was one thing I had to pick about “particular problems” with those motors, it would be the tiny water passage between the cylinder water jacket and the exhaust cover passage.. It is tiny on purpose, to let the motor run warmer without a thermostat. But it gets plugged up. If the engine should overheat, the first place I would look (after the pump service) is this passage. You just take the exhaust cover off, clean it out and you’re good to go, usually. Also like Fleetwin says, they are noisier than plain bearing engines; but they are okay. (And I would rather have the side recoil!! Just my opinion!)

Long live American manufacturing!