JOHNSON SUPER SEA HORSE RDSL -21B/RDSL27A worth rebulding?

[61newbee]

WOW! what a web site! my very first post!
from what ive learned so far from this forum; one is a 35hp 1959,one is a 40hp from 65.
ive seen nether run but both people that sold them to me for a song are reliable friends.
my first question, what does RDSL stand for? second, are these the electamatic shift models,the guy who sold me the 40hp kept saying he only ran it in forward.
thirdly, i have one hand missing and trying to learn how to recondition outboards,are these good ones to learn on, and am i crazy to think i can do this to supplement my
disability ?

p.s. recommended reading ? what are tags? new to this forum stuff.

[kfa4303]

HI 61newbee. Welcome! Those are two pretty cool motors. Assuming they have good compression, then pretty much everything else can be fixed or replaced pretty easily. Part of the appeal of these older OMC (Johnson/Evinrude) motors. Here are a couple good links that will let you know what it takes to get these guys running again. I'll check on the model numbers, but you can probably just use the search feature here in the Johnson forum and find out. Also use the search term "Big Twin" and you'll find tons of general information on your motors. If you do have an electamatic transmission, they can be a bit more work, but lots of folks here like them a lot. You can get all the replacement parts you may need (carb kit, points/condensers, coils, spark plugs and wires, water pump(impeller) ) for under $200 a piece. You should be able to get virtually all of them right here at ibaots too. The work isn't too difficult to do. You may need a helper for a few little steps, but other wise I think you can do it all on your own. Before you do anything you should check the compression on each of the motors. If they're between approx. 75 psi - 120 psi and within 10% they're probably work the time and expense of fixing them up, but if they have low compression you may have more work than you want. Here are the links. Check 'em out and keep us posted.

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/04/...x/24/index.cfm


http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/07/...max/index1.htm

[JB]

Ahoy, 61newbee.

Welcome to iboats.

RD is the model series, S is electric start (I think), L is long (20") shaft and the number is the model number in the series.

Get a factory Service manual on the RDSL-27. It is a 50:1 fuel mix burner and is worth more. www.outboardbooks.com

You will find the 21 quite close, but it calls for a 24:1 fuel mix. I don't remember if it is a fuel pump motor or uses a pressure tank. The difference is important to some and trivial to others.

Neither engine used the electric or hydroelectric shifting.

Become expert on that Manual and bringing the 27 to life will become obvious. If you have questions there is more knowledge on (and love for) old JohnnyRudes here than anywhere else in the universe.

Do not expect either engine to require rebuild, mainly TLC, but if needed we can help you get that done, too.

There are lots of guys who make a decent living caring for old JohnnyRudes, and even lesser brands . It does require you to live in a target rich environment, though, and to accumulate factory Service and Parts manuals.

I have been on here for 10 years and posted many thousands of times, not counting moving, editing, and smiting posts that needed it. I have no idea what the tags are and have never used or needed one. Maybe some of our 'puter geeks can explain tags.

Good luck, and don't be a stranger. I see the potential for a future guru.

[61newbee]

Thanks for the start! ,how does a super sea horse differ from other johnson models?
im in great lakes region, are these designed for salt water app. ie: SEA horse ?

[mstahl1171]

Welcome to the hood!! your going to find that these old motors are simple to work on. Electric shift can be a bit expensive to repair if the shift coils are bad. If you need replacements send me a pm...I have a source for parts and they are new NOS parts fairly cheap. eBay seems to be a good source also for parts at a fair price. iboats also has most of the items you will need to get her purring again.

SEA Horse was probably more a marketing scheme than anything else. These old motors had no anodes for salt water operations that I know of or have seen. Maybe others have more info...F_R or Joe Reeves would know for sure.

Welcome Aboard!!

[JB]

Thanks for the start! ,how does a super sea horse differ from other johnson models?
im in great lakes region, are these designed for salt water app. ie: SEA horse ?

In those days all Johnsons were Sea Horses, from 2 to 70HP. I think only the larger ones were called Super Sea Horses.

The lack of sacrificial anodes suggests to me that salt water use without judicious flushing was not contemplated. The only Johnnys I took in the ocean were later model 70s and up, which used a lot of Stainless Steel and the anodes. I flushed heck out of them anyway.

[alajoyn]

Hello 61newbe
As an owner of a RDS27M (65 short shaft 40hp electric start, electric choke) super sea horse, if memory serves, "super" means it was a little higher end model that ran supposedly quieter and maybe the trim was different. I've rebuilt old Mercury's and to tell you, these older Johnsons are quite easy. If you intend to jump in and have this as a small business, my opinion is to design your own "jig" for holding items (flywheel from turning, air or mechanical hoist, customized stand, clips and clamps ect.) I have rebuilt up to 150hp engines and actually the only thing that I see as "really" needing a helper is 2hands on a torque wrench, and sinking the rotating assy. in a mercury with ring compressors. The big twins are much simpler and the blocks are different. Building clamping devices and creativity goes a long way. I'm confident you'll do well. Learn the craft. Less and less of us out there any more. Best, Robert

[kfa4303]

Yeah, I think the "Sea" part was kind of a gimmick. Although, I have used my old '60's johnnys in the ocean a lot down here in Florida, but I always hose 'em down and run them in a test tank of fresh water when I get home, or drive back up the river which is kind of convenient. Jigs and stands are your friend. There are actually lots of good posts here in forums on how to build nice sturdy stands on rollers and jigs to hold lower units. I actually nailed my LU jig to my outboard stand so now I can work on everything in one spot and roll it around where ever I need it. Who knows, get good at fishing these older models and you could find a nice little niche for yourself. I always find it ironic that so few mechanics can/will work on these old gems when they're actually much easier to fix and maintain in many ways :/ Keep us posted. Ask lots of questions. Have fun with them. The more you learn about them the cooler they get, especially the older ones. Good luck!