40 hp Johnson

Question
My dad got a 1965 flat bottom boat which was one of the old river boats from my grandpa.  The motor is a Johnson 40hp, not the original motor so I believe it does take unleaded fuel.  My dad had the boat on the lake and it quit on him.  He took it to the shop and checked out.  The shop said he had bad gas in it.  They fixed it and winterized the motor.  It has been 10 years since that time.  Do you think the motor is still good?

Answer
Ronald,

Those motors last a long time and it is probable still vary serviceable.  I would put new gas in it with a can of Sea Foam.  If it starts it should be golden, if it does not then change the plugs first and then the points if you still have a starting problem.

I some time squirt a little thin oil into the spark plug holes to lube the cylinders if they have been dry for years.  Just pull the plugs squirt in and replace the plugs before start up.

Best of Luck,

Harvey Chichester
www.boat-bottom-paint.com