What motor?

[kwief58]

Hello...I'm a newbie (just inherited my deceased father-in-law's boat: 1964 Reinell 13-ft (we call it the 'Bat Boat' because of the fins!))...what a great BB! I am in search of a motor for this boat and I think I found a candidate which I will take a look at Saturday. A few questions: how can I determine the year of the motor based on the following: Johnson 40 hp SuperSeahorse, serial #2020446? How do I know if I need a long or a short shaft? The current owner tells me that this motor ran well 3 years ago, the last time it ran. How do I want to go about starting it if it's been sitting for three years? What gas/oil mixture ratio do I use? What do I look for to determine if this motor is in good condition and worth $300?

 

[JB]

Re: What motor?

Howdy, Kwief. The Super Sea Horse 40 was introduced in 1960 as the model RD-22 or RDS-22. Find the model number on the plate on the transom clamp. An RDS-23 would be a 1961, etc. <br /><br />To determine the shaft length you need, measure from the center of the transom to the keel, or bottom. A 1964 boat will be either 15", or close to it, or 20" or close to it.<br /><br />15" shaft engines are known as "short", 20" as "long".<br /><br />Do not pay even $300 for an engine you can't see run, unless you are prepared to rebuild it yourself. If you can't prove that it has good (100psi+) compression on both cylinders, spark to both plugs, and clean carburetors pass at any price.<br /><br />You are much better off to pay more for an engine that can be demonstrated to run well.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[kwief58]

Re: What motor?

Thanks for the info, J.B.<br />I'm going to the seller's house on Saturday to check out the motor, see if I can get it started, etc...if I can't see it run, I certainly won't buy it. As I don't have access to the motor 'til Saturday, I'm hoping to track down the model using only the serial number so that I can view an owner's/service manual and bring the proper gas/oil mix, spark plug(s) with me to try to start it.

 

[JB]

Re: What motor?

Hi, Kwief. <br /><br />Your fuel mix will almost certainly be 24:1, 1 qt TC-W3 rated outboard oil to 6 gallons of 87 octane, unleaded, alcohol free gas. <br /><br />The original plugs were Champion J4J, which are no longer made, but there are modern equivalents. Use Champion plugs, gapped at .030. If you need to get into the magneto to get spark, gap the points at .020.<br /><br />Take along a small spray bottle. If you have spark but it wont start, spray some of your fuel mix into the carb while turning it over. If it starts then dies you know that it needs a carb overhaul.<br /><br />Get yourself a set of "ears" to feed water to the water pump from a hose. If you start it dry you will probably destroy the water pump impeller. That wouldn't be much loss, because you will want a new one anyway, but you don't want to hurt the housing.<br /><br />Good luck.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[12Footer]

Re: What motor?

Very interesting boat, and VERY RARE! This boat is allready a sought-after hull, and to find same-vintage poewer and trailer,you have a nice restoration project that WILL NOT go down in value like most boats. Congrats on the motor, and my condolences to you and your better half.<br /><br />A link tocheck out for clasic boat owners;<br /> http://www.boatclassics.com/ <br />Another link;<br /><br /> http://www.fiberglassics.com/

 

[kwief58]

Re: What motor?

Thanks again, JB...armed with your suggestions, I'm gonna get this done and, hopefully, go home with a new motor for the Bat Boat. I have just a couple more questions (I really feel like an idiot asking these ones but...): how many sparkplugs do I need (I don't know how many cylinders are in this motor); to do the compression test (I've never done one on any engine), do I just insert the meter into the sparkplug hole and yank on the starter cord? I really appreciate your help

 

[kwief58]

Re: What motor?

12-Footer, thanks for the compliments and condolences and the links...we're enjoying this old boat and the stares we get...it is quite unique indeed!

 

[JB]

Re: What motor?

Howdy, Kweif. You need 2 sparkplugs.<br /><br />To get reliable cold compression readings you need to turn her over with the guage in the sparkplug hole at least four or five times. It is hard to hold the rubber tip guages in the hole, the best guages screw into the sparkplug holes. For your immediate purpose, either will work.<br /><br />Red sky at night. ..<br />JB

 

[Rex]

Re: What motor?

red sky would you spray some wd40 on the<br />water pump to maybe help?