Restoring 1955 Johnson 25 HP..Where to buy best detailed SHOP Repair Manual ....

[nas9-1100]

I am going to be restoring a 1955 Johnson 25 HP RD-17... ( Carb. , Rings, Coil, Everything, ect. )... I even have a COMPLETE set of every gasket and the rings... My question is where is a source for the very best service shop manual to know everything about repairing the 25 ... I have seen a couple of service manuals sold on CD that cover the 1955 with many years and horsepowers together... Which would be fine , but which one is a great one for the 1955 25... I am looking for advice on one somebody out there would know that it would cover the 1955 the best for restoration and repair... I have taken apart many car engines over the years with manuals ... I plan on knowing everything about this Green familiar face from my childhood.. I grew up every summer at my Grandfather's lake cottage at Gun Lake in Michigan with his 1955 Green 10 HP.... Long gone now but not the memories... Andrew...

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Restoring 1955 Johnson 25 HP..Where to buy best detailed SHOP Repair Manual ....

Nice choice.

Good news is that motor is a fairly easy one to work on. PM me.

Post some pics, we love pics here.

Also, before you do anything, check the compression so you have a baseline for the future.

Let us know if you need any help along the way.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Restoring 1955 Johnson 25 HP..Where to buy best detailed SHOP Repair Manual ....

If you get over 100psi on those cylinders, then I wouldn't see a reason to tear it down. Nice old motors. The old RD/Big Twins are my favorite motors. As far as a manual goes, that would greatly depend on your mechanical experience. I've rebuilt lots of engines in the last 30+ years, so a Seloc works good for me. If you don't have a whole lot of mechanical experience, then a factory service manual would be your best bet.

 

[JB]

Re: Restoring 1955 Johnson 25 HP..Where to buy best detailed SHOP Repair Manual ....

Reprints of the original Service Manual can be had and are highly recommended.

www.outboardbooks.com

 

[F_R]

Re: Restoring 1955 Johnson 25 HP..Where to buy best detailed SHOP Repair Manual ....

You won't like the 1955 Evinrude Factory service manual. I have one, I know.

The Seloc #1300 covers 1956-70, and while not perfect, will tell you a lot more than the factory one. The 1955 25hp and 1956 30hp are essentially the same, so that is not a problem.

Um....the same except the 1955 had some crankshaft seal problems. Need your complete model number to tell if is yours is one of the affected ones. RD-17, RD-17S or RD-17R ???

EDIT: I may have been a bit hasty in slamming the factory manual. Mine is an Evinrude manual. I believe the Johnson one may be better.

EDIT EDIT: Here ya go----
http://rides.webshots.com/album/559126452pjSnFo

 

[lindy46]

Re: Restoring 1955 Johnson 25 HP..Where to buy best detailed SHOP Repair Manual ....

Ahh - Gun Lake. I'm not too far from there. Used to water ski there in my younger days. Nice motor to restore. Here's one I refurbed/painted last year. If you have any questions, let me know.

 

[ultra353]

Re: Restoring 1955 Johnson 25 HP..Where to buy best detailed SHOP Repair Manual ....

Beautifull job lindy! These motors have such classic styling and lines to them.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Restoring 1955 Johnson 25 HP..Where to buy best detailed SHOP Repair Manual ....

Yes, lindy46 is one of several guys here who has some beautifully restored classics and one guy I consider a friend.

 

[nas9-1100]

Re: Restoring 1955 Johnson 25 HP..Where to buy best detailed SHOP Repair Manual ....

I am impressed, and greatful for the posts... I will look for the SELOC # 1300... It would be a good starting point...My desire is to know EVERYTHING about this motor...The model is the RD-17 .... When I turn the throttle handle to start, the armature plate only advances only a little, the throttle cam does not come near enough to the cam follower and the handle feels tight...The linkage to the carb has no chanch to move forward and slides thru the hole at the top of the long , verticle arm attached from the tiller gear... I will have a outboard repair shop look at it but I want to know ALL about the motor.... This site is like collectSPACE for NASA people....Very impressed...Spent every summer at Gun Lake from 1957 - 1974... Party island is no more...

 

[F_R]

Re: Restoring 1955 Johnson 25 HP..Where to buy best detailed SHOP Repair Manual ....

OK, RD-17 is good. The RD-17S and RD-17R have the crappy seal.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Restoring 1955 Johnson 25 HP..Where to buy best detailed SHOP Repair Manual ....

Hey Frank, are the earlier RD's prone to this problem seal as well?

 

[Vintin]

Re: Restoring 1955 Johnson 25 HP..Where to buy best detailed SHOP Repair Manual ....

I am impressed, and greatful for the posts... I will look for the SELOC # 1300... It would be a good starting point...My desire is to know EVERYTHING about this motor...The model is the RD-17 .... .

Here's an on-line copy of the manual that you may find interesting while you wait for a hard copy.

 

[F_R]

Re: Restoring 1955 Johnson 25 HP..Where to buy best detailed SHOP Repair Manual ....

Hey Frank, are the earlier RD's prone to this problem seal as well?

Nope, some genius in the penny pinching department must have dreamed it up as a cost saving thing and made it a mid-year change in 1955. They went back to the carbon seal on the 1956 30hp.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Restoring 1955 Johnson 25 HP..Where to buy best detailed SHOP Repair Manual ....

I have the factory manual on cd

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Restoring 1955 Johnson 25 HP..Where to buy best detailed SHOP Repair Manual ....

I have the factory manual on cd

I tried offering that too but got my post deleted. I didnt think there was a problem with giving it away.