Need help with 1989 Johnson 140 V-4 ? on Year

M

Macrenovations

Member
The previous owner told me the motor was an 1989 Johnson V-4 VRO Model.Tried looking for any serial numbers but with no luck.Not sure where the serial number is located need to order a new impeller and head gaskets.
Second question : I have a broken wire that goes between the motor and the drive you can just see it underneath coming out of the case and the other part of the wire is going up into the motor. Not sure if this is just a ground or what any help would be great..
 
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The factroy plug with the engine info will be located where the pic shows. Post up if it has any numbers on it and see if we can help you with the year. Also post a pic of the broken wire. It sounds like one of the bonding cables, but would need to see it to make sure.
 
Thanks Thefermanator. Finely was able to take a look at the plate and take a pic of the wire not that you can really see it but at least the location is there.

Number on the plate is J140TXCUA
G7432052

Tried a few sits with no success for the year... Thanks again
 

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Thanks Nymack66 just saved me from ordering the wrong head gaskets. What do you think of this motor from the reliability point is it worth putting money into. Right now it does run just not at idle going to rebuild the carbs and just do a real good turn up.The lowest cylinder pressure is 132 top being 147 psi. Was looking at a 01 125 with only 156 hours from a friend of mine but not sure if the motor would have enough HP to push the boat . I know the 125 weighs a lot less but would it be enough.Any thoughts would be great..
 
Yep, it's an 87, and it has the 85-87 ignition(85 was the first year of the looper for the V-4 and V-8). The wire your talking about is a bonding wire. As for the idling, make sure the t-stats are in and working, make sure the bypas valve for the t-stats is operating and set in place correctly, make sure you have QL77JC4 plugs(QL78YC's will not idle worth a crap in these engines), and also make sure the correct carbs are on it and not warped.
 
Here is why I really like this model/years 85-87 140's the electronic parts are way cheaper than lets say 88-91 models. Price it on line you will see, Power Packs, Stator, Trigger etc. Its because of its cheap Cost Of Ownership I am sticking with it.
I am no Outboard mechanic, however the darn engine is so simple to fix it make looks like one or if I am in a pinch I tap into the resources on this site.
I did post the same question when I first purchase the Boat and the guys here all had good things to say about it.
 
nymack66 said:
Here is why I really like this model/years 85-87 140's the electronic parts are way cheaper than lets say 88-91 models. Price it on line you will see, Power Packs, Stator, Trigger etc. Its because of its cheap Cost Of Ownership I am sticking with it.
I am no Outboard mechanic, however the darn engine is so simple to fix it make looks like one or if I am in a pinch I tap into the resources on this site.
I did post the same question when I first purchase the Boat and the guys here all had good things to say about it.
Click to expand...

85-87 does have simpler electronics on it, but that is where the advantages end. The 88+ large bore engines do have an edge for reliabilty for the most part. The 85-87 engines are TOUGH, so long as the carbs are in good shape AND the timing is set NO higher than 19 at 5500. 20 degrees total timing on a stock 86-87and you'll lose a piston, I can pretty much guarantee you that(don't ask, please). 85 had a wholel ist of problems due to it being the first year out, but they can be upgraded rather easily and run like a scalded dog. Take good care of an early small bore looper(clean fuel, clean carbs, and proper link and sync with timing set at 17-18 total at 5K), and she'll be a good long lasting engine that was one of the best on fuel that OMC ever built(the small bore engines were better on fuel at cruise by a good margin due to the aggressive porting with small bore). Abuse her though, and you'll curse her. And parts are EASY to find for them as so many different parts can interchange.
 
All right then I guess that's that. Going to bring her down to the shop and start the rebuilding process not that it needs to be done besides the carbs , But I have the whole winter to make the v-4 look and preform like new again so mite as well. Not to mention my buddy owns a boat repair shop that helps too. I just rather asked everyone here as well about this motor.What to make sure my thoughts are on inline and don't waste the money. Thanks THEFERMANATOR
 
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