Stuck with two old Johnson motors that I can't get running

[solaceresearch]

I'm new to this forum, (hi everyone!) I have two old Johnson outboards, one I think I've traced as a 1965 (model VXL-11A Super Seahorse "super quiet") might be a 60 HP, the other I'm not sure which year it is but is for sure a 60 HP from around the same timeline.

Bought the 1965 for $250 with a 15' boat and trailer, was told it was passed around, needed a coil and when it was replaced, it still didn't run.

Got the 60 HP for $100 total for a boat with a bad floor, a really great heavy duty trailer, but was told the motor ran great, just needed some seasonal tuning up.

At least the first guy was honest!

They both turn over, seems some wiring is missing though. REALLY need a diagram for either or both, and help identifying which year so I can even start to know what I'm dealing with!

Any help anyone can be would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[oldrudedude]

Re: Stuck with two old Johnson motors that I can't get running

Are there ID plates on the port side transom brackets? Model #s there?

 

[yorab]

Re: Stuck with two old Johnson motors that I can't get running

They'd be located as in the pic. By the way, the cowl from your first pic is from an Evinrude.

 

[solaceresearch]

Re: Stuck with two old Johnson motors that I can't get running

Hi! Thank you for replying!

The plate from the one I just got showed it to be a VLX-11A, which is how I identified it to be a 1965 (actually by advice from searching your forums here, which are amazingly helpful!)

The Evinrude, (sorry about that, for some reason I thought that Evinrude was made by Johnson, gets me confused), didn't have a plate I could find it from, that I saw! I'll check it out again tomorrow with your photo as a guide, thank you! Too dark outside now to even get a look!

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Stuck with two old Johnson motors that I can't get running

there's not much difference between the two, outside of cosmetics. Part for part, year for year, parts are interchangeable.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Stuck with two old Johnson motors that I can't get running

An important pice of info is whether the motors have magneto ignition or battery/coil ignition. Do the spark plug wires come straight down off the distributor cap, or out the side of the cap? The one in the picture looks to be straight down, signifying magneto ignition.

 

[solaceresearch]

Re: Stuck with two old Johnson motors that I can't get running

Can't thank you guys enough, really!

Took pictures, and first, is the Johnson. It DID say 60 HP on the hood, so now I'm sure that too is a 60 HP

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Stuck with two old Johnson motors that I can't get running

The motor in the last set of pictures appears to have high speed carb mixture needles. I was under the impression that only 1958-'59, 50HP motors had those. That motor looks to have a magneto igniton and the black wire that comes off the distributor is the killer wire. It is grounded to kill spark. if you want to pull start that motor as a test, make sure it is not grounded. Fuel mix is 24::1

 

[solaceresearch]

Re: Stuck with two old Johnson motors that I can't get running

I used jumper cables yesterday,battery direct, it turned over. Sounds like that might have been a mistake considering what you just said, or not? I'm thinking I have some wiring to do before I can get it to the point of trying to start it. I'm looking for a good manual for it so I can find a diagram, but I wonder how helpful that would be. From what you've noted, the original motor might have been modified, is that correct?

 

[solaceresearch]

Re: Stuck with two old Johnson motors that I can't get running

This is the Evinrude in these photos, I don't have a model # on this one that I can find, looked all over. Best as I can see, it seems to be about a 65 or so, but for sure is a 60HP.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Stuck with two old Johnson motors that I can't get running

yes, those last pictures appear to be a different motor. Notice the automotive type ign coil and fixed high speed jets on the carb? You might ask someone if it has the original ign system, since I do not know. Did you see the wireing diaghram on the starter body?

The other motor may be jumped to test start it w/o damage as you described. Just make sure the killer wire is not grounded. You might check it for spark. If it has none, clean and gap both sets of points to .020 and if still no spark, inspect the coil (inside the distributor) for cracks in the purple plastic. Replace the condenser.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Stuck with two old Johnson motors that I can't get running

That motor in the middle pictures, with the adjustable high speed jets really looks like my old Fat-Fifty (1958/1959 50HP V4). Take a look at the gearcase. It should be different than that the 60HP motor and split in the middle. if so, I think that clinches it as a 50HP model.

 

[solaceresearch]

Re: Stuck with two old Johnson motors that I can't get running

Ah, ya lost me! So, essentially, what you're saying is that both of these engines are different than the cowl says they are, correct?

 

[guy74]

Re: Stuck with two old Johnson motors that I can't get running

The motor with the magneto ignition looks just like my longshaft 1959 75hp Johnson. I'm not sure how mant different years or horsepowers look the same though.

 

[yorab]

Re: Stuck with two old Johnson motors that I can't get running

You can also look around for the model number that is stamped into an expansion plug. The plugs are located on the top of the block port side for the 75hp motors. Yours may be in a different location, but there is probably a plug somewhere. You may need to remove a few things to get to it though. Knowing the model/year is very important if you're gonna keep any of these around so that you can order the correct parts.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Stuck with two old Johnson motors that I can't get running

This is the Evinrude in these photos, I don't have a model # on this one that I can find, looked all over. Best as I can see, it seems to be about a 65 or so, but for sure is a 60HP.

The last picture shows a flywheel that was last used on the 1967 models but those were painted green. My guess it that powerhead is a 1966. The powerhead could also be a 75 as the motors looked identical but I don't remember if the '67 60hp had a distributor like the one pictured or a magneto on the back. The 75 had a larger cu. in. block with bigger cylinder bore. Most 60's, being manual shift, had a magneto hanging on the back.

The 60 hp was an economy version engine, adjustable jets, and manual shift only

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Stuck with two old Johnson motors that I can't get running

Guy74, There was no such thing as a 1959 75HP OMC motor. The max HP avail in that year was the fat fifty.

In 1960, they discontinued the 50HP model if memory serves me, OMC built a 60HP and 70 HP model, which became the 65HP and 75HP motors a year or so later.

 

[guy74]

Re: Stuck with two old Johnson motors that I can't get running

I have no arguement with that, I was just told it was a 1959, never checked it out beyond that. It was on my dad's boat, a 14' Cutter.