84 Johnson 140 Before Christmas I had a ring hang, but I didn't know it was a ring. What happened was I was in line at squaw creek waiting to check in and I was going through everything on the boat to make launching quick. I turned the motor over to make sure all was good and it was. I get down to the water and turn the key and nothing. Did really sound like the battery but I went a head and went to a different battery, but still nothing. I went a head and unloaded because I went there to fish. Took the hood off and couldnt even turn the fly wheel by hand. Thought it might be the impeller since it probably has never been changed.
I went a head and fished.
Days later I took the lower unit off, the impeller looked ok for its age. I tried to turn the fly wheel and couldnt. So I'm a little upset now and I get a big socket and breakerbar and got it un hung. I cleaned everything up replaces gas lines and lower unit oil and got everything back together.
So for Christmas I got a humminbird 798c and I wanted to test it out. Got it started but sounded weak. Would not even rev up like it use to. Couldnt get the humminbird to work properly either. Bad day!!
Did a compression test and got 100-80 on the left and 100-0 on the right. Took the head covers off and sure enough there was part of the ring on top og the piston. It looked like it hung up on the exhaust ports and I broke it when using the breakerbar. Good news is is the cylinder isnt scared up. So I am looking at rings, bearings, maybe one piston, and gaskets. I'm on a tight budget so I'm looking for a place with reasonable prices. Also I am thinking about just taking the powerhead off to move to my garage versus taking the entire motor off. Is there a stand of some sort out there for the powerhead?

Somebody should be along to answer your question about the place to go soon However i wanted to comment about starting your engine before putting it in the water Huge no no as the impellar fits very tight and requires the water to actually lube it Even just a quick run can damage it and if it is a little older and brittle 1 run will definatly damage it. I would advise to put a new water pump in when the engine gets rebuilt but before doing it be sure to atually put it in your hands and mess with it a bit and you will understand what i am talking about as they fit very tight and alot of friction is created The same goes for spinning the engine backwards by hand, breakover bar ect.

For an 84-140,,,,,,that is not good compression. I'll be glad to help you out, but right now, from what you are saying, You will need 4 pistons, bore 4 holes, new water diverter tubes, new thermostats, new impeller , 4 spark plugs, and an overhaul gasket set. Or around $675 for parts and outside machine shop labor. Whatever you do. Do Not disamble the engine until you have the capitol to buy parts and get the machine shop labor done. Crank, bearings, and rods, as well as wrist pin bearings do not like being exposed to air. Also look in this section on another fellow that has the same problem as you, He has been given a lot of good advise. Look for "DID A COMPRESSION TEST"

Chuck, I know I shouldn't crank it out of the water, bad habit I need to break. I keep telling myself I shouldn't be doing this but do it anyways.