Johnson 35 Super Sea Horse 1959

We have a 1959 Runabout with a Johnson Super Sea Horse 35 motor. It had been sitting for a long time and we have had it out running it in a lake near by. Was running really good and all of a sudden cut off. It will run fine for a few minutes but saw that we had no water coming from back of engine. Not sure what the problem is. Shouldn't we be seeing some water? The engine felt really Hot when I laid my hand on it. Didn't want to continue running the engine in fear of burning something up. Does anyone know what could be the problem with the water not coming out of exhaust hole or water hole. Where can I find a manual on it since it is quite old? Any help will be helpful.

Re: Johnson 35 Super Sea Horse 1959

Very likely your impeller(waterpump) has failed.
Usually suggested that pump be replaced every 2 to 5 years depending on the use and conditions.
You can get a reprint factory manual right here at iboats Also most routine parts are available
some right here at iboats. Does it still have good compression and start easily.Don't run it longer than a few seconds until you have solved the problem.A compression test would be a smart thing.
Let us know the rresults.

Re: Johnson 35 Super Sea Horse 1959

Thanks so much Steelespike. I did find a manual and we printed it off. As to your question. It does have good compression and starts as soon as you hit the key when it is cold. We just noticed that we had no water coming from back of engine and that the engine was really hot. As soon as we became aware of that we did not run it anymore. Pulled it back on the trailer and left it alone. I will certainly do a compression test. But think that the impeller is bad as well. May replace some seals and other things while its down. Thanks for you information. It is truly appreciated

Re: Johnson 35 Super Sea Horse 1959

A compression test can be a good indication of the overall condition of the motor.
Did you get the factory service manual? The aftermarket manuals are said to be short on info.
In the course of events you will want to inspect the coils under the flywheel.
If they are original they are very liukely on their last legs. If original they will probably show cracks and or discoloration.
Gearcase seals also may be leaking.Definately change the lube before any more major running.If lube looks like coffee with cream they are leaking.(DO NOT remove the small philips head screw when draining the lube.Only the 2 large flat head screws.Be sure to use fresh seals on the drain and vent screws.Fill through the drain screw till comes out the vent screw then insert vent screw, before removing the filler, and insert the drain screw.

Re: Johnson 35 Super Sea Horse 1959

My rememberance of those classics was that even at idle, you had water coming out the pressure relief tube/vent on the rear of the mid section about 10" below the powerhead. AT WOT, a good stream of water came out.

As steel pointed out, a new impeller/water pump probably is in order. Temp of power heads warmed up to operating temp will/should be around 140F give or take 20 degrees. 140F is the temperature of a US domestic hot water heater for the home set to the Normal (medium) position...so if you turn the hot water on at home and wait till it stabilizes and stick your hand in it, you know about how hot is max for your OB power head.

HTH,

Mark

Re: Johnson 35 Super Sea Horse 1959

Steelespike. The manual I printed off is a Parts catalog. I am not sure though if I have the correct one for my motor. I don't know how to find out that info. I have ( I think ) located the # of the motor. My wife found a silver type button on the engine that has a # and a carved seahorse on it. I don't know if that is the actual # for the motor or not. I have looked and not found any other #s on this motor anywhere. But before I can get a repair manual I need to find out the model of this motor. All I know about this boat is that it is a Runabout 1959 model. It has a Johnson Super Sea Horse 35 motor on it. I have no other info on the boat paper wise. If you can think of anything I can do to find out that would be of great help to me. Thanks so much.

Re: Johnson 35 Super Sea Horse 1959

Been a long time but it may be the serial number. The model back in those days was just the Vendor and the hp. If you wanted the long shaft they had a 5" bolt on addition to the midsection with a longer shift rod and drive shaft.....probably a longer water pump outlet tube also.

I guess somewhere in there was a notation whether or not it was electric start so it would be a Johnson Super Sea Horse 35E, or 35EL for long shaft.

Guessing but probably right.

Mark