Late 50's early 60's (1964) Johnson Seahorse 3HP?

[cmb3366]

I'm looking for inexpensive power for a 10' jon boat I want to use for river fishing and I ran into a old Johnson seahorse 3hp at a local old-time outboard repair shop. The motor runs, I started it about 6 times in the test tank, but I'm a bit leary about buying an outboard that old. The owner says if I buy it (he wants $350) and dont like it within 20 days he'll either work on it or give me my money back. All I'm looking for is a motor that wont give me too much trouble without breaking the bank, Is it a good deal or one I should pass up?

 

[JB]

Re: Late 50's early 60's Johnson Seahorse 3HP?

Re: Late 50's early 60's Johnson Seahorse 3HP?

We need the model number, cmb. It should be JW-XX

The JohnnyRude 3s of that era were the best little outboards ever made. Simple, easy to work on, reliable, smooth little engines. I always compared mine to a Singer sewing machine.

$350 and a 20 day warranty is pretty hard to beat. If you don't want it let me have the guy's phone number.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Late 50's early 60's Johnson Seahorse 3HP?

Re: Late 50's early 60's Johnson Seahorse 3HP?

the best little outboards ever made.
Yep...own 2..room in the casket has been made...

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Late 50's early 60's Johnson Seahorse 3HP?

Re: Late 50's early 60's Johnson Seahorse 3HP?

I have 1961 Johnson, 1956 Evinrude and 1963 Evinrude 3s. All are great little runners. They're actually better than the new stuff (IMHO) because they are all metal - no plastic Made-In-China pieces to break. They do like their oil and under no circumstances should you run it any leaner than 32:1 ratio, and preferably a 24:1 ratio. All basic maintenance parts are readily and cheaply available at your local Johnrude dealer, and most are also available at NAPA.

Get it and enjoy it!

- Scott

 

[cmb3366]

Re: Late 50's early 60's Johnson Seahorse 3HP?

Re: Late 50's early 60's Johnson Seahorse 3HP?

Well, I did end up getting it. It's a JW-JWL19, 1964. First time out, engine starts on 2nd pull, and runs fine till 10-15 minutes in, it dies. I had to choke it to restart it, but it started, and died 50' later, and kept repeating this all the way back to the bank. I figured maybe it was old fuel or not enough, so I take it home, fill it with Fresh 93oct and oil (50:1 as stated on the motors gas tank).

On my second trip out it does the same thing 15mins it, it dies, and restarts and dies all the way back to shore.

Sooo, to make a long story short, I stopped the moter back off at the dealer I bought it from. He wants to take a look at it, and see if he can fix it, and I'm going to give him the chance. Personally, after some research, I think it's probably old cracked coils, but time will tell. For the sake of decency, I will withhold the dealers name till I see how things play out, though so far he's been more than decent.

 

[F_R]

Re: Late 50's early 60's Johnson Seahorse 3HP?

Re: Late 50's early 60's Johnson Seahorse 3HP?

Betcha it's the sintered fuel filter in the gas tank. It is partially clogged and allows some fuel to flow but not enough to keep up with the demand. They are nearly impossible to clean. Either that or the cap vent is closed or plugged up.

 

[JB]

Re: Late 50's early 60's Johnson Seahorse 3HP?

Re: Late 50's early 60's Johnson Seahorse 3HP?

When I had that problem with one of mine it was a restricted outlet in the tank, just like F R suggests.

 

[cmb3366]

Re: Late 50's early 60's (1964) Johnson Seahorse 3HP?

Well, to tell the end of my saga, the dealer I bought it from checked the ignition and fuel lines and carb, and couldent find anything out of spec, so he offered me my money back.

I still wanted a small outboard.

He had a 6HP '78 Johnson in very nice shape, and upon asking about it, he offered to let me take it for a day, free of charge, to give it a try. The motor ran perfectly, starting on the second pull on the first start of the day, on the first when warm, and compared to the 3, it's a powerhouse, easily planing my boat. I ran it, turned it off, restarted it, trolled with it, and ran it all out with nary a hitch. He offered me a good deal on it, so I bought it. The name of the dealer is Swart's Outboard Repair located in Unadilla NY and I couldent be happier with the service.