Older johnson and evinrude (omc ) motors

[tgpfloat]

I have a canoe and a porta boat 10'. would like to put a motor on both. Electric motor is ok but some of the places i go are a long haul so...petrol would be better. There is a guy who lives few towns over from me that specials in older 1950 - mid 70's johnson and evinrude outboards. He finds them and rebuilds them. His cheapest motors are about $150 for a small 1.2 canoe motor up to $450 for a 5.5 or 7.5hp. Largest he sells is a 10 hp. Some need pressure tanks...which he rebuilds and sells as well.
What are you guys thoughts on these older motors? do you think they would be good running units. Can these be reliable motors to enjoy with minimal headaches? Just concerned about the age of the motors. On a tight budget so a new outboard is not really in the loop.

Thanks for the help

 

[rrw]

Re: Older johnson and evinrude (omc ) motors

Hi, you can't go wrong with an old Johnson! I myself wouldn't run a dual line setup , but they are easy to convert to a single fuel line. I have a 1960s 5.5, runs like a top, super easy on fuel, easy to do routine maintenance. My brother has an older dual line 7.5 , runs great, had a few issues with the pressure tank, but great outboard. And as long as you take care of it, it probably won't lose much value. I got my 5.5 off Craigslist in October(great time of year to buy boats/outboards at least in Wisconsin) for $100 with a fuel tank. I've attached a link to Leroy's Ramblings, he has a lot of insite into the old OMCs. This is all just my opinion, so take it for what its worth. Hope this helps , Ryan

OMC outboard related articles

 

[boobie]

Re: Older johnson and evinrude (omc ) motors

Those older smaller Johnson/Evinrude mtrs were some of the best ever built and if you take care of them they will last forever. They sure beat what's out there today.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Older johnson and evinrude (omc ) motors

Ditto on the 50's and 60's OMC outboards being great. Just make sure you use the proper fuel/oil mix and don't let someone talk you into using 50:1 in a 50's OMC. Some of the 7.5hp motors and lower even require 16:1. If the clutch dog and forward gear ears are good, they are usually great little motors. Don't be scared of it just because it's old. I enjoy my rebuilt pressure tanks.
JBJ

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Older johnson and evinrude (omc ) motors

As you can tell, there are alot of guys on here that ONLY buy older outboards, and love them. Just be careful, it gets addictive!

 

[JB]

Re: Older johnson and evinrude (omc ) motors

Yes. These guys are spot on. The '50s and '60s were a golden age for OMC outboards. I have owned and used several, both pressure tanks and fuel pump models. I loved them all and they loved me right back. The fact that so many are in regular, reliable use 50-60 years later testifies to their quality and reliability.

For a Port-a-boat or a canoe I would seek out a 3 or 4hp with integral tank plus option to use a remote tank. A 5.5HP would be my second choice.

 

[lindy46]

Re: Older johnson and evinrude (omc ) motors

Agree with JB - a 3hp Evi or Johnson would be perfect for the canoe, and the 3 or 5.5hp would be good for the Porta-Bote. I have a 10' flatbottom boat and i use a 3hp Johnson folding leg motor on it - works great and with the folding leg, it fits into a "suitcase" (which came with mine). Very portable and only about 35 lbs.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Older johnson and evinrude (omc ) motors

+1. Cant go wrong with an old OMC. They're strong, reliable, cheap and easy to maintain for yourself and they look cool. The 3hp -5.5hp models would be be perfect for your canoe. Both motors are light enough to carry anywhere, but surprisingly strong. Best of all you can get any routine parts you may need right here at iboats. Here are some handy links to help you decide.

Outboard Boat Motor Repair and Tune-Up old Evinrude Johnson

 

[Scurvy Knave]

Re: Older johnson and evinrude (omc ) motors

I have to agree with everyone. Those old OMC's are amazing as long as they were always used with the right ratio. Plus, as mentioned, they are a dream to repair/maintain compared to most modern offerings. I have a '54 7.5 on a pressure tank and wouldn't trade it for a brand new 4 stroke 9.9 if offered.

Just check the forums. There a tons of threads about 50-60 yr old OMC's that were found in a barn (and sometimes just plain outside) after being abandoned for several years and brought back to life with minimal work and expense.

 

[ddwilson]

Re: Older johnson and evinrude (omc ) motors

I have to agree and yes it can be addictive. I have a 59 5.5 and now a 58 10 that I would not trade the 10 I had out for the first time today, new impeller and lower unit fluid after it has been running takes 1 pull or less to start it cold maybe 2 pulls. Great motors and easy to work on and generally easy on fuel too.
Doug

 

[tgpfloat]

Re: Older johnson and evinrude (omc ) motors

Thanks for all the great info. One other question I had... How do the lower units hold up? I had a 1978 mercury 50 hp thunderbolt that ran like a top but lower unit leaked bad. Could not keep oil in it. I was told by dealer that the older mercurys do that and they cannot be resealed because Prop shaft and drive shafts get pitted (mild steel not stainless until mid 80's) and replacement shafts are not available for a 78. Does this same issue occur with the older johnyrudes? Thanks

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Older johnson and evinrude (omc ) motors

stainless steel shafts on OMC's all the way back to the 50's. However, they still need resealing after all those years in most cases. You can use a shim most of the time to get the seal to ride on the shafts out of the groove that the original seal created. I think you'll find that pretty much all used outboards more than 10 years old could stand a reseal---so it's not a deal killer for me. It's the clutch dogs and forward gear ears that worry me the most. The good thing for you is that the lower hp motors' dogs last longer than the 25hp ones and such.
JBJ

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Older johnson and evinrude (omc ) motors

+1. Resealing the LU is a a DIY job and only costs about $25. Best of all you can get a reseal kit right here at iboats.

 

[dkonrai]

Re: Older johnson and evinrude (omc ) motors

+1 on the older johnnyrudes. bullet proof, nice idle, sounds cool (exhaust above the water line) easy to fix, lower unit is really easy, parts are easy to find.
if you can pick up a 3, 3.3, or 4 hp that would be perfect. i too have a love affair with these old motors.
dino