Johnson RD 13 F-N-R or F only

[K Hultgre]

Does anyone know if the 52' Johnson 25HP were ever offered with Foreward gear only ?<br /><br />thankx

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Johnson RD 13 F-N-R or F only

Hi Kevin,<br /> No, all RD-13s came with full gearshift. <br /> There is, however, a very rare racing lower unit made for the RD-13 style motors that was forward only. It was made by Vrooman-Cornaire in Watertown, NY in the mid 1950s...<br />

<br />- Scott

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Johnson RD 13 F-N-R or F only

I intend to steal that gearcase.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Johnson RD 13 F-N-R or F only

Hi Paul,<br /> Not gonna happen. Besides, as it currently sits it is unusable. I got a wild hair about a year ago and tore it apart to check out the innards and compare them to another V-C unit owned by a friend of mine in the AOMCI. Subtle differences between them, but both had a very poorly designed thrust bearing type deal in the front of the gearcase. Not sure the unit would have lasted long if it had been run. One of these years when I get the time and money I'll take it to a machine shop and have them work it to handle a proper tapered thrust bearing.<br /> Sure looks cool, though! We found it in a pile of soon to be scrapped aluminum at a local marina. They had already tossed the dozen or so props that had come with it - scrapped them for the brass! I paid scrap price for the unit! The motor it's on is a "dummy" motor for display. At some point I'll doll it all up - yet another "someday" project...<br /><br />- Scott

 

[K Hultgre]

Re: Johnson RD 13 F-N-R or F only

Scott, Thanks.