Newbie needs help with Johnson Seahorse 2

[Superdamio]

Hi all. I've been browsing the site after just becoming the proud owner of a 1976 Johnson Seahorse 2 - I know, but pride is in the experience of the beholder and my o/b experience ammounts to zero! <br /><br />The motor is absolutely immaculate and if it has done more than half an hour's work in its life I would be surprised. I've already stripped the important bits and the carb is as clean as a whistle and not a spot of rust is in sight throughout (in fact all the bolt heads still had unblemished paint on them suggesting they have never been tweeked). <br /><br />I reckon that I could just fill her up and off she'll go, but my question is what else should I do/check before I try ignition? I don't want to hurt this beautiful old lady by rushing in blindly. Is there anything I should grease as there wasn't much present inside? What grease should I use? I drained the oil from the prop-end gearcase, what should I fill it with? Would any old oil do? Finally (if you're still with me!) what kind of maintenance regime should I initiate? (I will be using her exclusively on fresh water lakes and rivers.)<br /><br />I thank you in advance of any help you might be able to offer me and the part you'll play in getting me out on the water.

 

[wippb]

Re: Newbie needs help with Johnson Seahorse 2

I would change the impeller since I assume it hasn't been run in the last year or so. Use a good grade marine gear lube for the lower end. And get a manual for the little girl. Worth every penny. Just my $0.02 worth<br /><br /> Quoted by<br /><br />harrison20002 <br /><br /><br />This is ten reasons for all boaters to own a shop manual for their outboard engines.<br /><br />They have a section on your wiring diagrams.<br /><br />They give gas & oil mixtures.<br /><br />A section for tuneups, including Spark plug & ignition point gaps.<br /><br />Complete Tilt/Trim section.<br /><br />Lube, & Maintenance section.<br /><br />Complete servicing of water pumps.<br /><br />Lower end chapter.<br /><br />Very Important--- A torque setting for all bolts, including a tightening sequence for head bolts, etc.<br /><br />Section on automatic rewind starters.<br /><br />And a large troubleshooting chapter.<br /><br />The last one is worth the price of the manual[about$30 bucks]. Happy Boating. Hal.

 

[JB]

Re: Newbie needs help with Johnson Seahorse 2

Ahoy, SuperDamio! You came to the right place.<br /><br />Wipper (and Hal) tell you true... . The smartest thing you can do is get a manual.<br /><br />Red sky at night...<br />JB

 

[Superdamio]

Re: Newbie needs help with Johnson Seahorse 2

Thanks for your help guys. I assume the impeller is that little water pumping, rubber widget thing located on the drive shaft just before it enters the bottom end? It looks okay but no way has this engine been started in the last couple of years if not decades - I reckon it's been run in when new and that's it! - still reckon I should change it?<br /><br />As for the manual, I hear what you're saying but $30 is as much as I paid for the motor and it all looks simple enough. I could just do with some maintenance tips but if you guys still think it's worth buying who am I to argue!<br /><br />Thanks again.

 

[wippb]

Re: Newbie needs help with Johnson Seahorse 2

Hey super<br />If the motor hasn't been run for a while the rubber in the impeller gets hard and could start to fall apart. It could also start to take the shape of the housing and the rubber blades will stay in the "curled over" position. In either case this will result in less water being pumped to the powerhead. You don't want that to happen.<br /><br />Just my $0.02 worth

 

[Spur]

Re: Newbie needs help with Johnson Seahorse 2

As a "pro" thanks to the help of the kind folks on this board, change it! It aint alot of money and it can look good but be bad. I just did mine this weekend.<br /><br />I had to pull the powerhead. It looked good until I bent the fins back and there were some little cracks. Im trying to do the carb now, but need a manual. I check the library with no luck.<br /><br />I have a 1959 5.5 Johnson Seahorse.

 

[Fouled Plug]

Re: Newbie needs help with Johnson Seahorse 2

Superdamio, you got what sounds like a great deal! Change the impeller for sure, it's ugly when they fail. Run fresh fuel with stabilizer, good oil, and change the lower unit lube annually. Drain the carb for storage, and if it's run in salt water flush it regularly. Consider a spray on protectant like Mercury's corrosion guard for the powerhead. It dries to a wax-like coating to protect the bits under the hood. Probably not necessary if you run only in fresh water, though. Good luck, and have fun!

 

[Grizzly]

Re: Newbie needs help with Johnson Seahorse 2

Superdamio AndSpur Try this.-.G http://www.boatdealers.com/mall/index.cgi?store_id=236&prod_id=1955&cart_id=273380023&current_category=outboard%20manual