Old Johnson found on a farm

goaltoad · Apr 23, 2006

I recently acquired (legally) a very old Johnson outboard motor. I don't know anything about it, and the only number on it is on a silver circular disk on the top of the motor. I took it to a guy who works on boat motors and he said this number meant nothing to him. Is there some way I can find out more about this motor? I have pictures of it if anyone wants to see it.

Backlash · Apr 23, 2006

Re: Old Johnson found on a farm

Hi goaltoad, Welcome to the forums. Sometimes the number on that disc matches the motor # (not always though). Publish the # and maybe someone can help you out. How big is the motor (# of cylinders, etc.)? Any idea of the HP? The more information you can provide, the better chance of someone IDing it for you. Backlash

OBJ · Apr 23, 2006

Re: Old Johnson found on a farm

Yep, what Backlash said. The big silver disc will carry the engines model number. You can also find it on a plate on the port transom bracket.

goaltoad · Apr 23, 2006

Re: Old Johnson found on a farm

Thanks for the welcome. All I know so far is that it has 2 cylinders, it has the Sea Horse emblem on it, and the number on that disc is 1680493. The guy who gave it to me said it was probably a 25 HP, but not for sure.

OBJ · Apr 23, 2006

Re: Old Johnson found on a farm

If it's a Johnson, that's not the model number. check the transom bracket for the little tag. It will have the model and serial number on it.

lark2004 · Apr 23, 2006

Re: Old Johnson found on a farm

send the photo's to ringednutz(at)yahoo.com.au I'll see if I can help.

lark2004 · Apr 24, 2006

Re: Old Johnson found on a farm

yikes! It's a bit messy....

The number on the freeze plug doesn't seem to help much..... It's from the 50's, maybe 56 to 58? and I would guess 30 or 35hp...... Maybe Paul Moir ould shed more light, if he see's this post....

BoatBuoy · Apr 24, 2006

Re: Old Johnson found on a farm

I'm not PM but the '56 didn't have the oval seahorse emblem on the front. The faceplate of the '58 was Cream with a wide Holiday Bronze stripe across the top. This one is just Cream like a '57 35hp so that's my vote. If the cowl's been replaced, you'll have to dig deeper.

seahorse5 · Apr 24, 2006

Re: Old Johnson found on a farm

It looks like a 1957 motor cover. The '56 was solid bronze color, the '57 was bronze on the sides and cream on top, and '58 was bronze on top.

goaltoad · Apr 24, 2006

Re: Old Johnson found on a farm

I'm pretty sure the cowl's been re-painted that silver color. I'm beginning to wonder if it's even worth it to try and get it fixed up. Thanks for the help.

Silvertip · Apr 24, 2006

Re: Old Johnson found on a farm

These are good motors but it all depends on your plans for the boat. A vintage boat and motor if restored makes a nice toy. Lots of work involved but the "look what I have" factor is worth it when done.

tmcalavy · Apr 24, 2006

Re: Old Johnson found on a farm

That's a 56-59 Johnson, no way to tell the hp unless the tag is still there. It should be on the left side of the upper leg, just under the powerhead. You can estimate the hp by pulling a plug and measuring the travel of the piston as you turn the flywheel by hand. Post the stroke, ie. 2 or 3 inches, and we may be able to tell you the hp. Looks a lot like my 18 hp 57 FD-11, but it could be a 25 hp or larger. Sweet motors and simple to maintain and run. Their only drawback is weight.

BoatBuoy · Apr 24, 2006

Re: Old Johnson found on a farm

Upon further review, I think it's a '57 18hp - doesn't have a carry handle.

tashasdaddy · Apr 24, 2006

Re: Old Johnson found on a farm

i have a '55 15hp rude, sweet outboard.

Chinewalker · Apr 24, 2006

Re: Old Johnson found on a farm

It is a 1957 35hp.. Not an 18 - too darn big! Not a '56 30 - exhaust port cover has flat part to the fore, 30s were bulbous. Not a '58 35 - front Sea Horse emblem is wrong and serial number is too low... - Scott

BoatBuoy · Apr 24, 2006

Re: Old Johnson found on a farm

Originally posted by tim Mc: You can estimate the hp by pulling a plug and measuring the travel of the piston as you turn the flywheel by hand.

tim, the 25, 30, 35 and 40 all had the same stroke, 2.75". However, the bore varied.

Old Johnson found on a farm

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