Johnson 1957 CD14 5.5hp

[jay_merrill]

I have an old 5.5 hp Johnson that has been in a plastic tub in my shop for years. The data plate on the transom clamp is missing, but the serial number imprinted on the powerhead's welch plug is "145152." From what I have seen of Johnson 5.5 hp motors of that vintage, the first two digits seem to correspond with the model numbers, making this motor a 1957, CD-14.

I painted this motor white, with black trim, about 30 years ago. While this is not something that I would normally do, I was using it as an auxilliary engine for a sailboat with the same paint scheme, at the time. Now I would like to return the motor to its original paint colors. The paint scheme for the '56, '57 and '58 motors was similar and any one of them would look OK, but I would like to get the year right.

Does anyone have any info to confirm or deny my assumption on model year?



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[ezeke]

Re: Johnson 1957 CD14 5.5hp

I would have expected a seven digit serial number.

 

[F_R]

Re: Johnson 1957 CD14 5.5hp

I would have expected a seven digit serial number.

Johnson serial numbers are in numerical sequence order starting with number 500 or whatever in 1921. Serial number 145152 was made in 1930, so that can't be right.

1956 started with 1,328,373 and ended with 1,493,185.
1957 started with 1,493,186 and ended with 1,660,474.

The first CD was CD-10, next year it was CD-11, and so on. Has nothing to do with the sequential serial numbers

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Johnson 1957 CD14 5.5hp

You guys are right - its 1465152!

I understand the relationship between "CD year" and number (CD13 = 1956, CD14 = 1957, etc.), but had run across a few motors where the first two digits seemed to be following the "CD year number."

F_R, your info is what I need. Based on the missing digit, which I just included, mine would be a 1956. ALthough I can't see the original paint without sanding through the newer paint, one clue that may support this, is that the throttle twist grip is the black style, with a rounded end. I'm not completely sure, but I think the '57 and '58 had a white twist grip, with "fins: on the end. Other than that and the paint scheme, I don't know of any obvious physical clues.

Thanks for the info.


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