'56 Johnson 30hp Questions

[samo_ott]

I have a line on 2 of these engines cheap. But I know nothing of them. As they were only made in that 1956 I'm wondering how much of an oddball are they? Are they unique or are they the same as the later 35's and then 40's? Are the lower units the same as other models? I see the 35.7 cu in is the same as the '55 25hp, but that's it. Will parts be hard to find? Especially lower units parts? thx.

 

[F_R]

Re: '56 Johnson 30hp Questions

Well they don't qualify for oddball status. As you suggest, the 25, 30, and 35 are all similar. They made tons of them. There are changes that were made along the way. For instance the pinion gear was changed in the 35. Lots of powerhead bearings and stuff changed too. And of course the 35 is a larger displacement. The 40 is a complete redesign.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: '56 Johnson 30hp Questions

FR, Any idea of the lower units? How swappable are they with other LU's. The guy said one ran a couple of years ago (same old story) so I think I'll pick em up. I've never even seen one before! They'll add nicely to my 50's collection

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: '56 Johnson 30hp Questions

Although made only one year, the 30s are very plentiful as they made a LOT of them. OMC was still riding the post WWII/Korean War boating boom at that time and was building hundreds of thousands of motors a year.

The lower units, as a unit, will swap from 1955 on up into the 1960s as long as you keep with the same style lower unit (25, 28, 30, 33, 35 hp models). Lower units from motors with the silent package (35s and 40s with the double shell mid-section and two water lines coming from the waterpump housing) won't work with yours.

- Scott