1977 Johnson Outboard Question

[suey1958]

I picked up a 77 Johnson Seahorse 25 HP tiller motor that was last running in 1995. (Was running when parked,. HA)

I want to pull the plugs and lube the cylinders well before trying to start. I will also check the oil in the foot and will run water to the foot for cooling.
Is there anything else you guys recommended before attempting to start,...Forgot to mention its a pull start only. (no battery)
I live on the lake and dabble with watercraft often but nothing this old.

[Washerman]

While the plugs are out set them against the engine and pull the rope to be sure you have spark on both sides. Pretty much the same as an old motorcycle the carb will probably be gummed up so it may start with the choke but idle might not happen. Clean all passages if you have to get it to idle and it should be ok. I helped my neighbor with his recently it ran but no idle so he had to choke it to keep it running. I saw him crash it into the pier a few times so we pulled the carb and cleaned it and it is fine now. He got it from his father in law a few years ago and after cleaning the carb he said that's the first time in years it would idle without partial choke.