1953 Johnson Seahorse 25HP RD-14

[mattinglyt]

Does anyone have any good advice on this outboard. I just bought a 16ft Alumicraft with this motor. I got it running after dropping big bucks to get a rebuild tank, hose and fuel line connector. But, the carb leaks out of the bottom bowl. I know I've got to rebuild that.

I drained the lower unit and it was milky. Should I assume the lower unit needs rebuilt or flush it and refill, then see how it performs? What kind of job am I looking at w/ rebuilding the lower unit. Is there any tips?

Having never dealt w/ this type of outboard, what is the best prodecure to adjust the two rich/lean knobs?

I have located a parts manual for this engine, but I'm still looking for an engine manual. If anyone has one or and extra one, they'd let go for a reasonable price please let me know.

Thanks
Ted

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1953 Johnson Seahorse 25HP RD-14

I'd refill the lower unit and run it to see if it held gear, or take it apart and if you know what you're looking at, you can usually tell if it will and go from there. Resealing it isn't that bad. Getting the darned lower unit on and off is a pain to me. I know of a thoughtful person here who may be able to fix you up with a parts manual. Just bump your message near the top every once in a while and I'll bet he'll fix you up. I'd send it myself but my computer crashed a few months ago and I lost it all.
The carb isn't hard to rebuild and laingsoutboards.com has the parts, including a new float. If you haven't checked the ignition yet, you should. It's a really powerful motor and I like the styling. The only thing I hate about them is the cowl and the lower unit removal method.
Later,
JBJ

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1953 Johnson Seahorse 25HP RD-14

Oh, And BTW, the carb. is best adjusted on the lake. You can get it idling decent in a barrel, but get your high speed adjusted perfectly on the lake, and then make your final adjustments for the slow speed after you know your high speed is right. I'd also be certain my slow and fast needle nuts were pretty tight, so I didn't have to take the cowl back off after adjusting them because they got loose and vibrated out of adjustment.
Good luck,
JBJ

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1953 Johnson Seahorse 25HP RD-14

Make sure to replace the little nylon washers on the drain and vent bolts when you change the oil - that could be where your leak is coming from.

 

[mattinglyt]

Re: 1953 Johnson Seahorse 25HP RD-14

Thank you for the tips gentleman, I'll check those things.

I did notice the nylon washers are non-existant on my drain and fill plugs, so maybe I'll start there and see where it gets me.