Bought a 6hp Johnson tonight...did I score or get taken?

[Headhunter]

I pulled the trigger on the Johnson 6hp tonight. So I am a newbie on this and would like your perspective if I got a good deal or not. I have ZERO expereince with motors. You will see by the questions I am not a mechanic...LOL.

It is a 1986 Johnson 6hp short-shaft. It did fire up with one pull, and did not sputter or anything. However did blow a bit of smoke. I understand that happens with 2 strokes? It was being tested in a big garbage can with water. After about 15 minutes of running time, I did notice oil residue on the sides of the can and when I took the motor out of the water there was a residue on the shaft. Are any of these things cause for concern?

I did pull the spark plugs and they were black and oily a bit. The looked in the cylinder and it didn't look plugged up or anything. I was not able to get a compression test done.

Anyway it does look like it is in pretty good shape and I bought it for $230 thinking that I might have to change the plugs, perhaps a gasket and get it looked at.

Do you think $230 was a good deal or did I get taken? I would appreciate your honest answer even if I don't want to hear it....LOL!

Thanks a bunch,

Jim

[Tinman]

A bit of oil and smoke is normal for a two stroke. It looks like you did ok. Make sure to mix gas and oil (rated TCWIII) in the right proportions.

[IDFishrite]

I believe it was around 86 or 87 that they were placing the 100/1 oil mixture ratio decals on some of the Johnson motors.That was a mistake that they tried to remedy but I'll bet there are more than a few of those motors out there with that decal.These can be great motors,but I'm pretty sure 50/1 is the ticket to longevity.

[James in Idaho]

Drive it like you stole it, 'cause you did. :bowdown: Read up on the seafoam decarbon procedure, do that and you have a great motor. Mix at 50 to 1 (16 oz oil to 6 gallons of gas), run mid grade 87/88 octane gas and change the plugs once a year. At some point replace the water pump impellor, but if it is "peeing" you're in good shape. Yes, smoke and oily water are normal.

[tomictime]

run carbon guard or ring free in quality gas, both U can afford because U got a good deal

[Gopher]

Congratulations, you got a good deal. Always run it in a tub, in the water, or with a water muff on. Dry starting will take out the water pump impeller quickly. Also, don't be surprised if after running it for a while it drips a little oily residue under the skeg. This is normal and is just a little oil from the exhaust. Good luck, nice choice

[KChookem]

I had a 1986 Johnson 6 hp - great motor, nothwithstanding all the things you described, which are typical of 2-strokes.

Re the 100/1 ratio - mine called for that in both the manual and on the motor, and it ran great at that ratio. I let a good mechanic talk me into trying the 50/1 mix; the motor ran, but not nearly as well, or as clean. I went back to the 100/1 ratio.

[fishkisser]

Drive it like you stole it, 'cause you did. :bowdown: Read up on the seafoam decarbon procedure, do that and you have a great motor. Mix at 50 to 1 (16 oz oil to 6 gallons of gas), run mid grade 87/88 octane gas and change the plugs once a year. At some point replace the water pump impellor, but if it is "peeing" you're in good shape. Yes, smoke and oily water are normal.

:agree::yeahthat:

[Boats]

What boat are you putting this on?

[Headhunter]

It will go on a 15 1/2 foot Grummon Sportboat. Think of it as an extra wide, flat bottom, square transome canoe...rated for a 7hp motor. I wanted a 6hp 2-stroke because they have better top end speed, are way lighter for portaging, and have a strong used market. When you step up to a 7.0hp you get a much bigger motor frame and I didn't think the extra 1.0hp was worth the weight.

I am in the process of turning this into my duck hunting boat.

Here are some photos:

As it sits in the prior owners yard the day I bought it:

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Sportcanoe3.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/flyfishingcouple/Sportcanoe2.jpg

The next photos are as it sits in my garage getting turned into a duck boat:

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/flyfishingcouple/Camobowdeckdone.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/flyfishingcouple/Camosidedone.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/flyfishingcouple/camoinsidedone.jpg

[Crooked Hook]

Nice score on the motor. I am looking for a motor as well for a 12 foot Jon boat. Nice work on the cammo job too. Looks as if you will be set for waterfowl season. :cheers:

It will go on a 15 1/2 foot Grummon Sportboat. Think of it as an extra wide, flat bottom, square transome canoe...rated for a 7hp motor. I wanted a 6hp 2-stroke because they have better top end speed, are way lighter for portaging, and have a strong used market. When you step up to a 7.0hp you get a much bigger motor frame and I didn't think the extra 1.0hp was worth the weight.

I am in the process of turning this into my duck hunting boat.

Here are some photos:

As it sits in the prior owners yard the day I bought it:

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Sportcanoe3.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/flyfishingcouple/Sportcanoe2.jpg

The next photos are as it sits in my garage getting turned into a duck boat:

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/flyfishingcouple/Stencil2bowdeck.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/flyfishingcouple/Stencil2bow.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/flyfishingcouple/Boatstencil2side.jpg

[Tinman]

Regarding the oil ratio, I had a 1986 Evinrude 25 hp that I ran for 16 years on 100:1. It was a splendid motor, and when I finally sold it with 1700 hours on it, the compression was still 110 in both cylinders.

[Boats]

Looks like you did well. For the price you paid, you did well if you only get one season out of it (in my opinion).

Looks like that will make a nice duck boat to.

Regards,
Brian