Would you buy a 1971 Johnson 6 hp

[randy_g]

I have a chance to purchase a

I have a chance to purchase a 71 Johnson 6 hp which the owner says he just had running the other day. Apparently it has been in storage for the past 7-8 years. What type of things should I look for before purchasing this motor? What would be a good asking price? What life expectancy do these things have? I've looked online for impellars/water pumps for these but didn't see anything - did they use some other method of getting the water through the engine?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[haffiman37]

"If the 'owner' has a

"If the 'owner' has a picked fence and a bucket of water, clamp it on and test!"

 

[sandkicker]

"The seals and gaskets in O/Bs

"The seals and gaskets in O/Bs tend to dry up when left idle for long periods of time, causing great mischief.

Yes...this engine has a water pump impeller."

 

[outboard_doctor]

"Hey great engine...do the wat

"Hey great engine...do the water pump,head gasket,thermostate and carby and it will be going long after us"

 

[galamb]

You will want to replace the g

You will want to replace the gas hoses as well if original - the ones "under the hood" - connector to fuel pump/carb etc.

The older rubber doesn't stand up to today's ethanol blended fuels very well - for a couple of bucks any place like NAPA can hook you up with a couple feet of bulk gas hose...