1959 Alumacraft Deep C and 1956 Johnson 30hp boat

[rgballard]

I purchased this boat and motor over the winter and decided I wanted to start a projects thread. I have been collecting the parts I need, and I think I am ready to start working on the boat (now that I finished our living room remodel -now my wife will let me).

Started today by pulling the lower unit off the '56 Johnson to inspect so I can order parts. The lower unit was leaking oil, I believe it was out of the oil retaining ring around the drive shaft, so I will be replacing this, and the impeller.

This is my first time with boat motor/boat restoration (fix up), so I am open to any suggestions/pointers/don't even think about doing that.

Here are some pictures of my purchases. I hope to get the boat motor/boat on the water and running by the end of the summer if not before.

 

[rgballard]

Re: 1959 Alumacraft Deep C and 1956 Johnson 30hp boat

Does anyone know how to take out the oil retainer? It looks like it is just sitting in there, but I can't pull it out. Should I pry with a screw driver?

 

[KingHardcor]

Re: 1959 Alumacraft Deep C and 1956 Johnson 30hp boat

I have a '56 Evinrude Lark that is exactly the same as yours. I took the whole lower unit apart. To get the seal out I used a long screwdriver and slowly tapped it out from inside the housing. I'm sure there is a puller that is made for this but I had it apart anyway. I don't think prying it out from the outside is a good idea. The housing is aluminum and I can see it getting easily warped. Are you planning on opening the housing?

 

[rgballard]

Re: 1959 Alumacraft Deep C and 1956 Johnson 30hp boat

Thanks for the info, I will try to find a small puller to take it out.

 

[andgott]

Re: 1959 Alumacraft Deep C and 1956 Johnson 30hp boat

Looks like a nice project! If you haven't found it already, there is a 1959 Alumacraft brochure posted here-

http://www.fiberglassics.com/library/Aluma_craft

Those 30 HP Johnsons/Erudes are nice motors- I own various 'incarnations' of it from 1956-1959 model years... I've got 5 total now. They are good, strong runners with easy parts availability. If it's not manufactured, you can find it used no problem, since there are so many around... I've got a couple of parts motors I picked up for scrap value, since most of the parts are interchangeable through the years.

One 'upgrade' you might want to consider, if it hasn't already been done, is to add a fuel pump if you still have the old, 2 hose pressure system. It's an easy add on, and saves you a lot of hassle, as well as adding a margin of safety!

-Andrew

 

[stone4141]

Re: 1959 Alumacraft Deep C and 1956 Johnson 30hp boat

Don't be suprised if it still leaks even after replacing the driveshaft seal. ( I bought a cheap puller from NAPA that worked well on that seal) There are many areas those lower unites leak from another one is the shift shaft seal that requires a special tool or some craftyness to get out. I replaced every seal in my lower unit and It still leaks a little. I'm not saying people don't reseal them perfectly but I would say if your expecting to totaly seal that lower end back up you will probably find yourself buying a lower unit kit and replacing all of them. And if you do take the lower clam off check your clutch dog for excessive wear. If it is chipped or worn you might as well replace that while your down there JMO. Good luck and enjoy Those big twins are great and I love mine like a son

 

[rgballard]

Re: 1959 Alumacraft Deep C and 1956 Johnson 30hp boat

Andrew thanks for the link. I have seen the add for my Deep C (which I got from Alumacraft), but I had not seen the adds from the other models. It is cool to see those. It is weird, based on the serial number Alumacraft told me my boat was a Deep C, but the front cover doesn't dip like it does in the ad, also my transom is sunken where in the add it doesn't show that. Mine almost resembles a Flying C. I have posted some better pics I took this morning of the boat.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: 1959 Alumacraft Deep C and 1956 Johnson 30hp boat

I also have one of these old AlumaCrafts from the late 50's. Mine has the "Deep C" forward deck with the "Flying C" type transom. But the even stranger thing is the forward deck, even though it is short like the Deep C and shaped like the Deep C, it has the bow light in the middle of it like the Flying C and others. I'm soooo confused.

 

[rgballard]

Re: 1959 Alumacraft Deep C and 1956 Johnson 30hp boat

got a new impeller and oil retainer and put the lower unit back together. Let it sit in the test tank for a while and spun the prop a few times. Took it out and there is no water in my gear lub. I think my lower unit is ready to go, so I move north and started working on the top. I am not getting any spark, so it's time to figure out why. I have attached some more photos.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1959 Alumacraft Deep C and 1956 Johnson 30hp boat

hi rgballard. glad you got the lower unit put together. no worries about the spark. that's easy to fix. these old motors use a very simple and ingenious magneto igniton system. you'll want to start by getting a proprer Gap Spark plug tester from an auto store for about $10. Eventually, we want a spark that can jump a 1/4" gap. While it looks like your points and condensers may be ok, you'll probably want to just replace them. You can buy them here at boats in the form of a "tune up kit" for about $20. Your coils (the big black plactic bits in the photo) are not cracked and look ok, so you shouldn't have to replace them. you should also replace the spark plugs and spark plug wires (metalic core only) while you're at it. All told you should be able to get a tune up kit and new s'plugs and new s'plug wires for less than $35-$40. There are tons of posts here in the forums that can walk you through the installation of the the points and condensers when the time comes. Check the "Sticky" at the top of the forum and/or do a search for "ignitons" and related terms in the forums. Keep us posted. We can walk you through any tough spots.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1959 Alumacraft Deep C and 1956 Johnson 30hp boat

I'm going to move this one to the J/E repair forum. Feel free to start another thread back in Resto when you're working on boat stuff.

 

[rgballard]

Re: 1959 Alumacraft Deep C and 1956 Johnson 30hp boat

Thanks to HighTrim I got this awesome link http://www.pochefamily.org/outboard/Coils.htm to help diagnose my ignition system problems.

After playing around i think my coils, points and plug wires are bad. After following the directions from the above link. The only part it past was the primary wiring. With the price of the above parts I think I am just going to replace all.

Will post more after my parts come in.

 

[1bigriver]

Re: 1959 Alumacraft Deep C and 1956 Johnson 30hp boat

here are a couple pics of my flying C. i just got

View attachment 116659View attachment 116660View attachment 116661

her in the water after restoring this summer. i cannot find many many pics of flying c's out there.

 

[Mas]

Re: 1959 Alumacraft Deep C and 1956 Johnson 30hp boat

Sounds like you're having fun. I've got '56 30 HP too...and I think it's just as ugly...if not uglier. I bought the motor for parts...but it had such good compression, I'm keeping it for a future restoration project...I just love the "holiday bronze!"

Mas

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1959 Alumacraft Deep C and 1956 Johnson 30hp boat

Here are some handy links rg.

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/04/s/columns/max/24/index.cfm
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158086
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167352
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=277190&highlight=lower+unit+seal+kit+installation

 

[JB]

Re: 1959 Alumacraft Deep C and 1956 Johnson 30hp boat

here are a couple pics of my flying C. i just got

View attachment 116659View attachment 116660View attachment 116661

her in the water after restoring this summer. i cannot find many many pics of flying c's out there.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not hijack old, dead threads!!