Home › Forum › Ask A Member › 1971 Johnson 85 HP – Worth a rebuild? › Re: 1971 Johnson 85 HP – Worth a rebuild?
They were good motors. However, "needs a rebuild" means nothing. What’s important is what is wrong with it that needs a rebuild. Is a cylinder trashed beyond hope? Is the crankcase full of rusted bearings? How about the lower unit? BTW, that is Hydro Electric shift. Don’t let that scare you, Hydro Electric was a good system. However, parts for that can be expensive. For instance, the shift switch in the remote control goes for $300 U.S. The electric cable leading down to the lower unit $200. And how about the rest of the electrical system? The ignition amplifier is $400. I seriously doubt the stuff I just mentioned are included in any "kit".
BTW, if there is any part of that motor I’m not fond of, it is the ignition system. State of the art in it’s day, but not certainly not today.
So….bottom line is what’s wrong with it, and what else is wrong with it. Or, is the rest of the rig worth the price if you junk the motor?