identifying my 33hp johnson outboard

[1504 mustang]

I recently purchased a 1971 seastar which came with what I was told was a 1969 33hp superseahorse motor. I can only read RXEL on the model number part of the tag, and the freeze plug only has the serial number on it which from reading other forums on this page is useless in determining the year. Any help would be great.

 

[Vic.S]

Re: identifying my 33hp johnson outboard

If it is a 33 HP RXE would pin it down to 1965, 66, 67 or 68 ( the "L" I guess means it is a long-shaft ( could be 1963 or 64 if a 28 hp)

What you need to know are the numbers that follow. 13, 14, 15 or 16!

 

[F_R]

Re: identifying my 33hp johnson outboard

So what is the serial number? I can tell you this much:
2,555,201 1965
2,686,424 1966
2,692,783 1966
2,797,951 1967
2,880,348 1968
2,882,047 1968

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: identifying my 33hp johnson outboard

If the model year follows the RXEL format, its not a 1969. That was the beginning of the hp/year format for model numbers. A 1969 33hp Johnson would be 33E69A, 33EL69A, 33R69A or 33RL69A model number.

Your motor would be an RXEL-13 (1965), RXEL-14 (1966), RXEL-15 (1967) or RXEL-16 (1968). If the midsection is Forest Green, its probably a 1968. If its white all over, it would be one of the other years.

There isn't any significant difference in parts between the years, that I can remember. You should be able to buy just about anything you need, just knowing that it is a '65 - '68 motor.

Post a pic of the motor here is you can. Be sure to show the cowl from the side, fron & back. If its the original cowl, we might be able to tell the year, just from that.



???

 

[1504 mustang]

Re: identifying my 33hp johnson outboard

Glad to hear that there is not alot of parts difference in those three years. The serial number is J2512259, if that helps anyone. The motor is all white, I can tell someone painted the cover with a brush at one point (UGGHHH) but appears to have always been white.

The tag on the mount says 33 horsepower right on it so I am fairly sure it is not a 28 unless the powerhead was changed at some point.

I will try to post pics tommorow of the motor. I was told that it starts idle and runs up to half throttle and then stalls. I am hoping that it was the cobbled together fuel line that was on the tank that was leaking air and causing the stall. Why to people do things like that? I bought the proper fitting and a new line for under $30. I changed the lower unit oil, and will try to start it tommorow.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: identifying my 33hp johnson outboard

You might need a carb rebuild and you might have lack of ignition in one cylinder.

If you have an inductive timing light available, try that on the spark plug wires, one at a time, to see if one is not firing. You can also pull a plug wire, one at a time, to see if there is any change. If there is no change on one, that one is not firing. If the engine won't run when the other one is pulled, thats the one that is firing. Don't do this while the engine is running, unless you have a pair of insulated pliers .... or you just like durly hair! You can also buy a spark checker at a local auto parts store for about five bucks.

Given F_R's serial number list and the serial number that you found, I'd say you probably have a '65 model.



???

 

[1504 mustang]

Re: identifying my 33hp johnson outboard

Thanks Jay. I have an iline spark plug checking light, and will try that. The bottom plug boot has some electrical tape on it so You may be right about a spark problem. I assume the flywheel has to come off for that right?

I think the carb may have been rebuilt at some point given the gaskets I can see, but of course I have no idea when or if it was done properly.

Plan is to try to start it this evening if I can get the muffs to fit well enough over the intakes for the water pump, they are right above the anticavitation plate and I am not sure I can get a good seal. How much water do I need to get into the intake holes to try to start it?

 

[Al-53]

Re: identifying my 33hp johnson outboard

you may be better running it in a tub instead...just fill so its over the intake screens.....you get some back pressure that way and can adjust a little better..till you get on the water....

also the inline spark tester is OK..but better off with a air gap tester...set gap to 7/16ths and see if it jumps that with a nice blue cracking spark....you can get one at most auto parts for any where from 6-10 dollars..A very handy tool for boats....a must have....

Al

 

[1504 mustang]

Re: identifying my 33hp johnson outboard

Thanks Al-53, I will pick one up this afternoon. I dont hae a tub that will work, but might see what I can pick up cheap at big box store if you think it is a better idea.

 

[Al-53]

Re: identifying my 33hp johnson outboard

even a trash barrel works....just get water high enough to cover intakes..plus a little more....its a better way to test cooling also since your hose is not forcing water...

Al

 

[1504 mustang]

Re: identifying my 33hp johnson outboard

Great idea on the trash can, I will pick one up and use it. Any idea which spark plugs it should have in it?

 

[F_R]

Re: identifying my 33hp johnson outboard

Refer to the chart I posted. J2,512,259 is lower than 2,555,201 which is known to be a 1965, so yours cannot me newer than 1965.

 

[Vic.S]

Re: identifying my 33hp johnson outboard

Great idea on the trash can, I will pick one up and use it. Any idea which spark plugs it should have in it?

Plugs are J4C gapped 0.030" ( 33hp 1965-1971)

Make sure the trash can is empty... had trouble using SWMBO's the garden rubbish bin:

 

[1504 mustang]

Re: identifying my 33hp johnson outboard

Alright, here is the report so far. Engine starts but runs out of gas in a few seconds. From what I heard and saw with the spark plug tester I have ignition in both cylinders. I found a kit to rebuild the fuel pump should have it Thursday. Any advice out there of rebuilding it the right way? No one seems to have the fully assembled pump available.

Good call Vic.S!! I will make sure to empty the rubbish first!

 

[1504 mustang]

Re: identifying my 33hp johnson outboard

F R thanks so much for the serial number info, NO ONE else seems to have that kind of stuff and it is a huge help to a newbie like me. Given your info and the partial model number I am now certain it is a 1965 RXEL 13.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: identifying my 33hp johnson outboard

Plugs are J4C gapped 0.030" ( 33hp 1965-1971)

Make sure the trash can is empty... had trouble using SWMBO's the garden rubbish bin:

Hey Vic, you just gave me an idea on how to make Salsa or Cole Slaw

That British Seagull looks just like the one I once had.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: identifying my 33hp johnson outboard

The Seagull is for British cole slaw. You have to have an OMC for American coleslaw!





???

 

[1504 mustang]

Re: identifying my 33hp johnson outboard

So nobody makes that fuel pump anymore, cant rebuild it because the outlet nipple was broken off anyways. I have a more modern pump that should work, but it will not mount with the old screws, they are too short as this pump is thicker. Off the the hardware store tommorow for longer ones.