Help Choosing Control Box FD-10

[Drowned Rat]

Hi all,

Can someone take a look at this >> Johnson Vintage 1950's SHIP Master Outboard Motor Control | eBay

And let me know if this will work for my 1956 15hp Johnson?

Also can I install a push/pull steering system on this motor or a pulley style? Any suppliers for those items?

Thanks so much for your help.

Restoring this outboard >> http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...air/1956-johnson-15hp-re-painting-639030.html

On a 1956 Blue Star Islander (which I don't own yet, but will soon think '57 Chevy on the water.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Help Choosing Control Box FD-10

yes those will work. May need new cables, but cables are cheap anyways. The connectors are important to get with it.

 

[F_R]

Re: Help Choosing Control Box FD-10

Yeah, the seller admitted the cables are "sticky". Fact is those old style cables always did have too much friction in them. A pair of new cables (Type 400 from here at iboats) will fix that right up.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Help Choosing Control Box FD-10

Great!! Thank you guys.

I have the shifter bracket on my engine (cube looking jobber on the starboard side of the hood). I do believe there is a bracket also for the throttle cable that I do not have. Any sources for one of those?

Also, the boat has a steering pully system with cables that run down both sides of the boat to the stern and then 90 degree over to the engine from each side. Is there a factory piece that attaches to the handle on the front of the motor that would accept those cables? Or do I just need to fabricate something?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Help Choosing Control Box FD-10

Borrowed this from another site to show. Yes there is a factory piece you can buy. Post a wanted ad at aomci.org in the webvertize and someone will be able to help.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Help Choosing Control Box FD-10

Thanks HighTrim, that's perfect.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Help Choosing Control Box FD-10

just opinion here -- price on that control box is probably getting a little steep, particularly if you are going to replace cables (nope -- not a competitive bidding ploy!) You might be better off picking up just the Shipmaster box. Knob or knobs are sometimes broken off, so need to watch for that -- can replace them, but the threaded stubs are sometimes broken off in the shift lever, and needs to be drilled out. You might just check the AOMCI site for a box as well as the quick release clamp for the steering. Let's see, the motor connections on the Ebay unit seem to be usable but mismatched. The one with the plastic adjustment wheel is I THINK a later design (the one with the brass cylinder would likely be correct for your motor). I'm going to hedge a little, because it's possible OMC used the combo shown, adjustable end for shift lever for example. Anyway, they will work with the stainless clips that go on your hood, but the plastic adjustable one, in my experience, requires some tweaking of the clip (or obtaining a clip to fit -- which might be usable but from a later model.) On your steering question, there is a way of mounting a push-pull system -- requires a steering tube and a clamp that fits on your transom (or another style that attaches with the motor clamps, or can be bolted on). The boat that you show on the restoration forum thread is certainly set up for cable steering, with the wheel in place (don't know if it's complete). There is likely to be at least part of the old system in there too (pullies and attaching hardware, maybe). I didn't see the cables in place, but you would probably want to replace them anyway for safety. For a restoration, you probably are going to want the cable system -- but your call, obviously. Good project.

 

[F_R]

Re: Help Choosing Control Box FD-10

Just my opinion, I would not put a push-pull steering system on your restoration project. In the first place, it won't "belong" there. In the second place, the cable/pulley system, if rigged properly, will work MUCH better. Push-pull systems don't have enough travel to steer those old motors hardover to hardover. Plus they almost always have some interference somewhere.

I thought the price was a bit steep also, but that is up to you. However, be careful if you buy a box alone. The cable ends do not come with new cables, you have to salvage the old ones. If the cables are missing, so are the ends.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Help Choosing Control Box FD-10

F_R offers up some good points. I would want a pulley system on that period (classic?) boat too, and they work real well if in good shape -- which you can insure with some tweaking and parts replacements. I put a push-pull system in an open Starcraft that I use for fishing and motor testing. It works fine for my purposes, and looks good, but is kind of a mish-mash (tech. restoration term). I run '50s Evinrudes on it. I find that the travel issue that F_R describes can be adjusted out some by moving the connection point for the end of the steering ram -- in towards the motor, as I recall, to shorten the turning radius. Have to keep everything from binding, though, at the hull/splashwell or the motor. But it still won't be a proper restoration, even after putting together a smooth working push-pull system. F_R's point on the cable box is good too. If you do much of this stuff, you end up with "redundant" systems -- whole control systems you bought, for example, to get the right connectors. Piecing a system together can be difficult -- made easier if you have a whole system in front of you, and know what you need (and have parts to switch out). So you end up with a number of boxes, assorted cables and ends. I never have a problem with that approach.

 

[kbait]

Re: Help Choosing Control Box FD-10

If you go w/cable steering, it would be wise to adjust the steering friction bolt on the motor such that the motor won't pivot on it's own (in case of cable failure at speed).

You should be able to find a used simplex control box/cables for about $75. Top secret files (top of this forum) has a list of salvage yards.. Tim's is my fav. They'll likely have controls/steering hookup for reasonable $ - and quick ship. 218-682-2311

Good luck!