need to feed fuel to 5.5 Johnson

[mattison902]

I just bought a 12ft jon boat that came with a fifties model Johnson seahorse 5.5. it has no fuel tank. i was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of one, or if it is easier to convert it to a fuel pump, how to do that. any other information on this antique would be greatly appreciated. I also would like to be able to identify exactly what year it is. it seems to be in pretty good shape except one of the prop blades is broken at the tip. Thanks!

 

[bktheking]

Re: need to feed fuel to 5.5 Johnson

Get a pressure tank, easiest way.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: need to feed fuel to 5.5 Johnson

Here's a two-line pressure tank on ebay.

EDIT: Just realized that the link on eay is a tank only...no fuel line. You probably want the fuel line with it

Here's one that includes the two-line hose.

I have a 1955 5.5hp Johnson and it's a great little OB.

If it's green then yours is a 54-56. They switched over to red/white in '57 like the famous '57 chevy.

If you can get the serial number there are charts that tell you the exact year.

As far as converting it to a fuel pump...it is possible. I'm going to keep the old tanks rather than convert mine. If it ain't broke then don't fix it is my philosophy.

The beauty of these older motors is that they were built as simly as possible. Adding a fuel pump means just more parts to fail in my opinion.

BTW some folks claim that the pressure tanks are not safe. This is incorrect. If they were dangerous people wouldn't have used them for the last 60 years

 

[jmendoza]

Re: need to feed fuel to 5.5 Johnson

Pressure tanks are not only expensive, but they are old, and leak if not freshly rebuilt. You can use a regular tank but you will have to change the fuel fitting on the engine, and take off the intake manifold to remove the little reed valve that allows pressure to be sent to the fuel line fitting that went to the pressure tank. Then you block off one of the two ports that were under the reed valve you removed, use a rubber plug, and put the intake manifold back on with gasket sealer, or use a new gasket. Next, get a square Mikuni diaphagm fuel pump and run the line from the manifold that went to the fuel line pressure fitting to the pump. Rune the out of the pump to the carb. Run the in of the pump to your new OMC single line fitting and you are good to go. I used a zip ties and a piece of aluminum strap to secure the pump under the cowl to the side of the engine block. See this link for more info: http://www.outboard-boat-motor-repair.com/Johnson/Pressureized Fuel Tanks.htm