Try to identify Johnson QD-16 or OD-16 10 or 15 HP

Ed58

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Bought some Johnson outboards for parts and need some help to identify one of the motors. Did some research and now confused. One of the motors has QD- 16 or OD-16 on plate. My research showed it was a 10 HP, 1955. All the pics I have seen show the 55 as green. The motor is red. All the pics of red motors have been 15 hp. The motor cover has an emlbem with a 15 on it. Does anyone know if there is another model or serial number anywhere on these motors. It is in rough shape so looking quickly I did not find one. The motor does not appear to have painted and the cover seems original to motor. The bracket and model plate look original also. Confused
 

HighTrim

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Re: Try to identify Johnson QD-16 or OD-16 10 or 15 HP

The QD16 is in fact a '55 10hp and it should be green.

Is the powerhead/gearcase/exhaust housing/ etc... the same red colour as the cowl?

There will be a small silver disc, about the size of a quarter on the powerhead with the model number on it as well. What is that number?

If you post a pic we can tell you what year the cowl and such is from.
 

kbait

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Re: Try to identify Johnson QD-16 or OD-16 10 or 15 HP

I've seen mis-tagged motors before, but not from different mfg years. But I suppose it could've happened.
If it's all red, it's not a '55. If the cover is all red w/white letters, it's a '56. They did make a 10hp in '56 that was red like yours, but I don't believe a 15 cowl would fit, so my money would be on yours being a FD-10.. '56 15hp. Look on the quarter-sized plug on the powerhead itself and see what model number is stated there. You could check other part numbers (like carb body, etc) that would be different between the 10 and 15 hp's here to be sure of the hp: Johnson Evinrude Outboard Motor Parts by Year 1955 to 2011
 

Ed58

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Re: Try to identify Johnson QD-16 or OD-16 10 or 15 HP

I've seen mis-tagged motors before, but not from different mfg years. But I suppose it could've happened.
If it's all red, it's not a '55. If the cover is all red w/white letters, it's a '56. They did make a 10hp in '56 that was red like yours, but I don't believe a 15 cowl would fit, so my money would be on yours being a FD-10.. '56 15hp. Look on the quarter-sized plug on the powerhead itself and see what model number is stated there. You could check other part numbers (like carb body, etc) that would be different between the 10 and 15 hp's here to be sure of the hp: Johnson Evinrude Outboard Motor Parts by Year 1955 to 2011

I will look for that info and post some pics latter. Thanks for your reply
 

Ed58

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Re: Try to identify Johnson QD-16 or OD-16 10 or 15 HP

I am sending some pics. I found a plug, quarter size with the number 1471178 or 147117B. This number doesnt match any others. maybe the pics will help. Also this motor isnt very heavy, 60 or 70 pounds if that. Thanks for your help in advance
 

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1946Zephyr

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Re: Try to identify Johnson QD-16 or OD-16 10 or 15 HP

Yea, Johnson typically only put the serial numbers on the welch plugs. Evinrude usually put both, model and serial numbers. A lot of cases, Johnson used serial numbers to determine the year. Anyhow, looks like an FD-10 to me. It has a starter ring on it and I don't believe the 10's were available with electric start. Your motor is factory color though.
 

HighTrim

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Re: Try to identify Johnson QD-16 or OD-16 10 or 15 HP

That is a 1956 serial number.
 

HighTrim

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Re: Try to identify Johnson QD-16 or OD-16 10 or 15 HP

Tiller is also not original. Does it look like the transom clamps have been painted over their original green? Perhaps they have been replaced from a QD16 and the tag was not changed.
 

dockrat100

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Re: Try to identify Johnson QD-16 or OD-16 10 or 15 HP

Tiller looks like the one from my 1960 QD-21
 

1946Zephyr

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Re: Try to identify Johnson QD-16 or OD-16 10 or 15 HP

Yea, a lot of parts are interchangeable from the FD and QD. Up until '58, they even had the same lower units and midsections. Tiller handles will still work after '58 but that's about it. Midsections, lower units, shrouds and everything changed in '58 on the 10's. Of course, the 15 was upped to 18hp in '57. As for this motor pictured, the 10's and 15's were pretty much interchangeable all the way through. You could even put a FD-10 powerhead on the same year QD midsection. Powerheads and engine shrouds were really the only thing different. The lower shrouds may even be the same from the 10, to the 15. Transome clamps from the earlier QD's very easily could have been painted over and used on the FD's and maybe as far back as 1949.
 

Chinewalker

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Re: Try to identify Johnson QD-16 or OD-16 10 or 15 HP

The tag definitely looks to have been painted over as it would have originally been black & silver. Likely someone replaced the clamp bracket from the '55 10 to the '56 15. Not uncommon. I have an 18hp with parts from no less than 6 different motor sources, spanning 1958 to 1983...
 

kfa4303

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Re: Try to identify Johnson QD-16 or OD-16 10 or 15 HP

Looks like and 1956, 15 hp, FD-10 model to me. The FDs would later become 18 hp around 1957 and eventually 20 hp in 1966. Generally speaking, the FD/E models are some of the best pound-for-pound motors ever made. Assuming the compression is ok (over 80 psi), all the rest is pretty, cheap and easy to fix. Your motor also uses a 2-line pressure tank set up running 24:1 mix, rather than a modern, single line set up. However, you can convert it to a fuel pump, if you want. Here are some great links to help you bring it back to life. Good luck. Holler if you get stuck.

Maintaining Johnson E & FD Serie

Vintage Evinrude Johnson Outboard Parts & Diagrams - Catalog 376749

Duckworks Magazine (here's your exact engine, in Evinrude clothing)
 

Ed58

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Re: Try to identify Johnson QD-16 or OD-16 10 or 15 HP

The more I research this motor the more I want to keep it. I have not really been able to work on it yet or check its true condition, probably next summer. But the more I look at restored motors, the deeper I fall in love with it! I have some other projects on the go 5.5 64 evinrude, things to build at the camp and then theres fishing to be done. Thanks for your help Ed
 

1946Zephyr

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Re: Try to identify Johnson QD-16 or OD-16 10 or 15 HP

Yea, those old John/Rudes with the clamshell covers look pretty nice, all restored. Go to www.nymarine.ca and you'll see a l;ot of nicely restored pics.
 

Ed58

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Re: Try to identify Johnson QD-16 or OD-16 10 or 15 HP

An update. I went up to the camp today and had a good look at this motor. It has some issues going on but it is not siezed. Recoil is not working and flywheel nut loose and stripped. But I was able to get some spark by turning flywheel :) Lower end seems ok. Once spring comes I'll repair a few things and see if it will run.
 
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