Opinion on Johnson 200HP Motors

Monkey Butler

Monkey Butler

Senior Member
A friend of mine is interested in buying a pair of used Johnson 200HP outboards. The seller isn't sure if they are 1986 or 1989 model year.

Any one have any opinions on these, good or bad?
 
Can be good engines, or could be grenades waiting to happen. Rusted steering arms and general corrosion would be my biggest concern though. They are considered excellent engines, but they are over 20 years old and who knows how they have been run and maintained. If they are 86's, I wouldn't buy them if they didn't have 88 or newer powerheads. Also make sure that both powerheads are of teh same style. 86-87 was one style, then 88-91 was another, 92 is a crapshoot, and 93 on is another style.
 
Thx Ferm, I hoped you would chime in.

What's the biggie with the '86 motors that you want to see newer powerheads and how likely is that to happen?

Details are kind of sketchy at this point but I think they came off of a go fast boat and my pal wants to put them onbrackets on a big ole 24' Stamas.

I'm going with him tomorrow to eyeball the motors, anything to look out for?
 
here is a pic:

200jo.jpg
 
Monkey Butler said:
Thx Ferm, I hoped you would chime in.

What's the biggie with the '86 motors that you want to see newer powerheads and how likely is that to happen?

Details are kind of sketchy at this point but I think they came off of a go fast boat and my pal wants to put them onbrackets on a big ole 24' Stamas.

I'm going with him tomorrow to eyeball the motors, anything to look out for?
Click to expand...

86-87 had problems with overheating as they were a small bore engine(2.7L with a 3.5" bore compared to the 3.0L and 3.625" bore of the 88+. Same HP ou of teh smaller engine resulted in ALOT of powerhead failures). Your pic though is of an 88-91 style engine. Check the steering arms for rust, trim and tilt motors for rust and corrosion, and also look at the block for signs of where it has been welded. ALOT of the 88-91 engines broke reed valves and they would go into the crankcase and it would catch teh rod and blow a hole in the block. It isn't a deal breaker, but you have to make sure it was welded up properly.
 
Well, we bought the pair.

$1200 for both motors, no props and one does need a tilt/trim unit. The good news is they were fresh water form Lake George in NY so not a lot of corrosion.

They came with all of the cables, oil tanks, a dual throttle shifter, full gauges and even the center console pod from the Aquasport that they came off of.

Thanks for the advice!
 
before you mount them i'd replace both t/t pump motors. if one is bad go ahead and replace both save the headache later.
 
Ferm, both morors turn easy enough and the reeds are all there and no signs of welding on the block. Thanks for the good advice.

Destroyer, hopefully my pal can get his looking as good as yours. Nice looking motor and rig you have there.

Skools, I'll take your word for it and tell him to start looking for TWO T&T units.

These are going on a braket on the back of a 24' 70's Stamas flybridge that we will be pulling the old OMC stringer out of. Big project but my pal loves the boat, hate the current power.

Thanks again all.
 
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