OldMotorMix&Lube

S

SCO

Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 19, 2001
Messages
1,463
I picked up a '58JohnsonFD-12 18hp outboard. I've read that 50:1 does not adequately lubricate old motor bearings, that you should use 25:1. Also wondering about the lower unit lube. I would normally think that 50:1 and modern lower unit lube would work fine. Please weigh in, and thanks for your input.
 
JB

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: OldMotorMix&Lube

Ahoy, SCO. Your FD-12 has sleeve type bearings on the piston pins and requires a richer lube mix than modern engines. Johnson recommended 24:1 when they built it and that is still the best mix, even with modern lubricants.<br /><br />Your gearcase will love modern gearcase grease. If you decide to use synthetic, flush it before you refill.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB :)
 
L

Lark40

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 29, 2001
Messages
793
Re: OldMotorMix&Lube

In my 1960 Lark, I use any common outboard oil and mix it 24:1 as originally specified.<br />Had a debate with a guy about his wanting to use the premium Mercury oil at 50:1. Kind of like religion - nobody convinced the other.<br /><br />Still use hypoid 90, mechanical shift gear oil as (a) widely available and (b) cheap. Never had a problem.
 
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