Re: 1954 era outboards
I would certainly take the time to fix those old johnsons. The gas tank shouldnt be a problem, you can get it off of there. If its rusty I would make up a stick and rig something up like a shishkabob secure the tank to a stick really well. and use a drill motor to spin it a usually make up to saw horses w/ a hole for the stick. I use boiling hot water and arseco or another high potency cleaner maybe clr or something like that. I would put washers, pennies etc in there and youd be surprised how clean you can get it, and when youre done use a fuel filter in line. Also chances are critters have nested in the carb jets so although people think its overwhelming, were not talking about a four barrell quadrejet you have a very simple carb on a 10hp johnson, about as sophisticated as a brick w/ a hole drilled through it. just remember how the float was. you can buy a gallon of carb cleaner it has a dunk basket so i would let that set over nite and then use a scribe to clean any corrosion. Next youll have a kidney bean shaped hole to set your points. I would say to you, take the flywheel right off. Even if you have spark, those coils are (im willing to bet) like peeling chesnut. Thats usually the problem w/ those. I would replace them or if they look ok have them tested @ a parts store. I bet theyre not performing up to par. I would also get a tune up kit and replace points, condensor and wires. Make sure the fly wheel magnets are still strong, youll know when your screwdriver sticks to the flywheel. All the parts are readily available. At most youll have 60.00 invested. and right now w/ gas as high as it is people are taking them old outboards in for scrap. I have a deal w/ the scrapyard here. he buys them old outboards for 6 cents a lb!! I give him 20 to 30 bucks for them and have acquired about 15 in the last year, Theyre getting scarce and no ones boating on the Niag River here compared to 10 years ago when the river was full of boaters on the weekens, labor day weekend there was maybe 12 boats out there, there used to be 100s. Keep in mind too that everythings going 4 stroke, You wont be able to buy a new stroke, and people fishermen especially are already hunting for that old johnson or merc they had back in the 60s. Heres a motor I got for 10 bucks and sold for 250. I put 20 into it, i was able to find 2 coils NOS for 20 so I invested 20.00 sold for 250 check ebay item# 170256846412
Thats no johnson either. All the ignition parts are the same as your 10hp. Its the same carb and everything. I believe the 15hp is the same, and Johnson and evinrude parts are 9xout of 10 interchangeable. DO it!!! its worth the investment. for sure! If you decide you want to do it I would disconnect the fuel line and give the carb a quick shot of ether and see if it fires if not look @ the coils. But before you even pull it over i would tilt the motor up and squirt some oil in the cyl holes, if you dont you could break a piston ring, in that case you have parts, or more work and $ to invest than you want.
When you do get her running, use a barrel to be sure the water pumps working. I take lower unit off and w/ the motor on a stand adapt a hose that fits over the copper water line, and just barely crack the hose open i usually have someone pinch the hose off till it starts, Im always afraid of blowing a gasket up top. But yeah start w/ checking your spark, and cleaning that tank, Good luck and keep pulling your johnson!
