What year outboard is this Super Seahorse 40hp?

[matt167]

I do not even know where to look for a serial on an OMC this old. The only thing I know is that it is said to run, and lots of new parts suggest it may be the case ( I have a near mint '88 20hp that will push this boat fine, in case it's not ).. It's mechanical shift, not electric shift, uses Ship Master controls.. I think '64? The controls I think are later as they are not round knobs.

 

[racerone]

Looks like a 1966 to me.-----Model # will be found on a plate up above the transom clamps.----RDS-28 I would think.

 

[oldboat1]

That's a nice rig. Ready for a little power washing when Spring weather actually arrives. Check the transom for soft spots -- motor should not move fore and aft.

 

[matt167]

That's a nice rig. Ready for a little power washing when Spring weather actually arrives. Check the transom for soft spots -- motor should not move fore and aft.

The transom is not as good as I want it to be. But it is still solid with no flex. I will put a new one in in the fall or early winter.

 

[gm280]

Interesting engine. Are you looking to completely refurbish it back to new look? Just wondering.

 

[racerone]

Those 40 HP motors were elegantly simple.----The average person can learn to maintain / service it with simple tools.-----First thing to do is a compression test.----Then check for spark to jump a 1/4" gap.----New impeller.----Inspect thermostat.----Change gear oil.

 

[matt167]

Those 40 HP motors were elegantly simple.----The average person can learn to maintain / service it with simple tools.-----First thing to do is a compression test.----Then check for spark to jump a 1/4" gap.----New impeller.----Inspect thermostat.----Change gear oil.

The previous owner did a bunch of stuff including all new ignition components, carb rebuild, impeller, new wiring. I have to check the impeller to be sure but given that everything he did is tidy, neat and as it should be.. I'll spin it up and check compression, and check the stat and then see if it'll run.

Oh and you nailed the model number.

 

[racerone]

For me it is not hard to figure out these motors from the 1960's.

 

[Crosbyman]

good little book to fix a transom

Runabout Renovation: How to Find and Fix... book by Jim Anderson

www.thriftbooks.com

 

[matt167]

good little book to fix a transom

Runabout Renovation: How to Find and Fix... book by Jim Anderson

www.thriftbooks.com

Transom on this is super easy. The end caps come off, then the top cap. Slides out, slides in. Its got some screws and needs de rigged to do it. Just time before spring is all that holds me back. It's still strong enough

 

[matt167]

I put the lower unit in a barrel, hooked some fuel and electrical up and hit the choke switch and key, but it spun and spun with no sign of life. I could hear the choke click but I suspect it does not work.

I flipped the manual choke lever to ON, and then it roared to life. It sounds very strong.. However it's not getting cooling so I shut it down and ordered all the parts it could possibly need. Took me a while to locate it all. I did not buy a water pump kit due to the expense and the probability most is not needed. I ordered just the impeller kit, but I ordered every part to the thermostat system as it's all cheap and available

 

[matt167]

Is there any way to hook up a temp gauge to this? It has a HOT light, but I suspect it probably does not work

 

[racerone]

Test the hot light.-----Replace bulb if it needs a new one.-----Yes temperature gauges can be found if you search and per haps E-Bay or AMAZON will help.

 

[matt167]

Test the hot light.-----Replace bulb if it needs a new one.-----Yes temperature gauges can be found if you search and per haps E-Bay or AMAZON will help.

What on the engine does the hot light connect to?

 

[racerone]

Look for a wire coming from the cylinder head.----Tan color I believe.

 

[matt167]

Look for a wire coming from the cylinder head.----Tan color I believe.

I'm going to guess, that it is sort of a bi metallic spring type arrangement, and shorting the wire to ground should light it up?

 

[matt167]

Just glanced at the lower unit tonight and noticed gear oil had leaked from the water intake, so i pretty much know the driveshaft seal is leaking. Going to drain and refill and test to see what happens again but pretty much know I gotta pull it apart again.

 

[F_R]

Everybody puts these things in a barrel, then assumes the scunge coming out is gear oil. Just sayin'

 

[matt167]

Everybody puts these things in a barrel, then assumes the scunge coming out is gear oil. Just sayin'

I agree, but if it looks like gear oil, and smells like gear oil, it's probably gear oil.. It's clean gear oil like someone just poured it there.

I've had it out on the lake once and it ran perfectly.. I have another trip planned for the 9th, and I'll probably just change the gear oil and run it if it looks ok

 

[matt167]

Ok so I just changed the gear lube. Not much water was in it. Was in the lake about 1hr in total. I refilled it, and it looks like more might have came out, but that seems impossible, since it's only going to leak to the bottom of the seal. Pouring right now or I'd drag it out of the garage and stick it in a barrel.

Anyone know what seals I need? Hate to be back in the lower unit but it's not a hard motor to take apart