1954 Johnson 5.5

Hey Guys, I am brand new to the forum. I was searching the net for the year of my little motor and found you guys. The motor in question is a 1954 Johnson 5.5, model CD-11, serial 176951. Anyways I was just about to take her in for service and I found this site. I know I am new but here's my problem. The motor usuallu starts second or third pull Idles really high, won't low idle and does not seem to be reving out on the top end. I have done nothing to this motor.
I should also note that the control handle does not lineup with the positions fixed on the handle? Do I just adjust the gear on the opp end? Although I am sure this isn't the first place to start the tune-up. SO my question is where do I start? I have also found this website
http://www.outboard-boat-motor-repair.com/Default.htm
which looks very detailed, so do I really need a manual? I am located in Southern Ontario Canada, Where would be my best bet for parts? That website that I posted up has Napa as a part source? Well thats alot of questions but the main question is where do I start?

Thanks in advance for any help

Grant

Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5

There are many guys on here that are extremely knowledgeable in that vintage outboard. Hopefully Wayne pops in, he too, like myself, is in southern Ontario and would be able to guide you better than myself. Check the spark. If the ignition coils are original, or cracked, they will need to be replaced. If the spark and compression are good, look into fuel delivery. Likely the carb may need a cleaning and rebuild, which is a piece of cake to do. Have a look at here also, it is for a 3hp, but same idea. GOod luck.

http://www.maxrules.com/fixtuneitup.html

Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5

Howdy GLWood,
Your little 5.5 is a very nice motor. Is it new to you?
Have your tried turning the top idle adjustment knob counterclockwise a little to richen up the mixture? Does it "cough" or "sneeze" when it's fast idling?
If so, it's definitely too lean and the slow speed adjustment needs to be turned counterclockwise a little. those marks on the tiller that read fast, start, shift, slow don't mean much and are just there to give you a general idea of what direction to turn the throttle to. You may need to do what's called a linc'n'sync which is really easy but first I'd try the idle adjustment. Your tiller throttle gears could have slipped and be out of position, especially when someone twists the throttle too hard when the little gears get worn a little. If you could post some pictures using the little paper clip icon or the "manage attachments" button at the bottome of the post of the inside of your cowl when wide open throttle and when at idle speed it may be helpful.
One more thing to check---If you look at the gears where the tiller meets the transom bracket you'll notice on the gears that one of the "teeth" is flat and wide and it should be in the obvious flat and wide notch in the other gear. IF not, it needs fixing. If it is right, you're probably o.k. with the throttle gears because they rarely get misaligned at the vertical gears in the back.
Like hightrim said, those coils are bad if they're original and that often causes them to only run on one cylinder and not open up on wide open.
I wonder where that danged WBeaton is???
He's fixed a million of those...
I wouldn't take it to a shop if it was me, they're too easy to fix yourself. I'd almost bet we can help you fix yours for cheap.
Good luck,
JBJ

Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5

Hey guys thanks for the help already. The motor has been around my family for about 10 years but nobady has run it, I picked up a 12ft jon boat for Duck hunting and would like to put this motor on it. I have checked for spark and both cyclinders are firing. I still might replace the coils once (if I have to) open everything up. As far as playing with the lean and rich mix screws, I have done that and not had any real sucess. I think it needs to to be linc'andsynced bith not a huge concern. I will post up some pics tmrw night to show you whats going on. HighTrim where are you getting parts from, I am near windsor. I am thinking about doing the whole tune-up that was described on the website I posted earlier. I have a water leak coming from the gasket attaching the power head to the LU so I will be addressing that and should probably just replace the impeller. I will try to get the top of the motor off tmrw night and post some pics. Any advie on taking the flyweel of the top. I am pretty mechanically inclined but any help/tips/advice or heads up would be great. Thanks again guys.

Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5

I just found this kit... what do you guys think of it and the price?
http://www.maxrules.com/fixomctunekits.html
As far a the gasket for the LU can I use a gasmet maker type silicone for this or does it require a cork gasket?

Thanks Again

Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5

I didn't think that the max rules kit included a lower unit seal kit from what I could tell. the price wasn't that bad.
Good luck,
JBJ

Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5

Hey guys, I took some pics of the dissambly today here they are.... nope they are to big I will have to shrink them tmrw. I am still trying to track down a place to get a manual and parts here in Canada. Hopefully "Wayne" will se these posts and help me out....


Grant

Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5

Here I am, but to be honest these guys are just as capable as me.

You found Tom's website and that's good. Follow the repair instructions there are you will be fine. Don't get too worried about using a multimeter to set the points, though. Use the part numbers given on his website. They are the same for your motor.

I may have a parts manual for your motor, but I'm not sure. I'm working out of town so I'll have to get back to you on that one.

Post any questions you may have or drop me a PM.

Here is a list of the common tune-up parts usually required.

(1) Carburetor repair kit - Part No. OMC 439071 (Sierra 18-7043)

(1) Impeller ? Part No. OMC 0434424 (Sierra 18-3001)

(2) Coils - Part No. OMC 584477 (Sierra 18-5181)

(1) Ignition Tune-Up Kit - Part No. OMC 172522 (Sierra 18-5006)

(2) Champion Spark Plugs - J6C

(2) Spark Plug Boots

(2) Vent Screw Washers ? OMC 311598

4? Copper Core Spark Plug Wire (not automotive type spark plug wire)

1 L of Outboard Motor Lower Unit Gear Oil

Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5

Hey Guys, I did a compression test tonite and found both cyclinders to be ready 60 psi, this seems low to me but both being the same is common. What the stock compression on this motor? Tmrw night I will tear it down some more. Hey Wayne good to hear from you, the part numbers you listed sierra 18.... is that the code for napa? Where do you suggest looking for parts besides ordering them online?

Thanks again guys...


Grant

Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5

60 is probably o.k. for a 5.5hp. Your gauge could be off, too. OMC didn't publish compression specs on any of their motors so don't worry about looking for them. I suspect somewhere around 80 or 85 lbs. was brand new, but really I don't have a lot of experience with 5.5hp's considering the 5.5 probably wouldn't plane my fat rear. It will run with 60 I'd almost bet on. Just might be hard to start compared to 70 or 75 lbs.
Have your tried carrying part numbers to your BRP dealer? If not a BRP dealer, I'd get 'em online or from laingsoutboards over the phone.
Good luck,
JBJ

Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5

Don't worry about those numbers. Once its running you can do a decarb, which may bring up the compression.

Check your yellow pages for places that sell/service Johnson/Evinrudes. Any of them should be able to get you the parts you need. Take the part numbers with you since they (probably) won't have the part numbers for your motor. The BRP part numbers are the most current OEM numbers where the Sierra numbers (18-XXXX) are aftermarket parts by Sierra marine. NAPA only deals with Sierra parts.

Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5

Hey Guys, I finally got the flywheel off. I have been busy at work. It looks like one coil has been replaced, and the points look new. Hopefully you can see in the pics. Would you still replace both coils and the points anyways?

Grant

Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5

The coils have been replaced and may be fine. I'd leave them for now. Clean and reset the points. Add a few drops of machine oil (3 in 1) to the oiler wick. The powerhead looks like it may have been overheated before, but its also had some repairs done to it so the low compression may be from use and not from an overheat. 60 psi is ok, though. Borderline, but ok. A decarb may bring it up.

I have a parts manual for a 1956 Evinrude 5.5 hp that's basically the same as your motor. Drop me a PM and I'll email it to you.

Also, you didn't have to take the flywheel off to inspect the coils or set the points. Make user you torque the flywheel nut to 40-45 lbs using a torque wrench.

Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5

PM sent... So where do you think I should start? I have good spark on both cycl. I'll touch up the points and oil the wick. I thinking I'll do a carb rebuild and should I replace the impeller since I have to remove the LU to replace a leaky gasket? Thanks again.


Grant

Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5

I would replace all the seals if it were me. And definitely the impeller, maybe even considering a whole new pump housing and all, if you really want it top notch. The shift shaft seal, drive shaft seal, and prop shaft seal are all likely suspects. Don't forget your lower crankshaft carbon seal. It'll just fall out when you pull the powerhead inorder to release the shift shaft.
Good luck,
JBJ

Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5

What JBJ said.