1963 Johnson 3 hp Seahorse (2 cylinder) mix

[Idahofos]

Sorry to bother you folks with this one. Searched everywhere & seems there was a change right around this model year. I'm looking for the mix ratio for this outboard. I did tear the thing down & replaced rings, etc about a year ago.<br />Thanks for the advice.<br />Brian

 

[Hooty]

Re: 1963 Johnson 3 hp Seahorse (2 cylinder) mix

Do you know if it has roller bearings or inserts? If roller bearings you can run 50:1. If it has inserts, better run the 25:1.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[JB]

Re: 1963 Johnson 3 hp Seahorse (2 cylinder) mix

Johnson changed the recommended mix from 24:1 to 50:1 in 1964.<br /><br />On that basis I would run 24:1 in you lil hummer.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[firstpull]

Re: 1963 Johnson 3 hp Seahorse (2 cylinder) mix

Just remember to always use the mixture that was originally recommended for your engine. Don't listen to people who tell you that a lighter mixture is ok because modern oils are better. That's one of the biggest myths out there and is being constantly propagated on forums like this. Mixtures changed over the years due to engine design, not oil design. I still have the original owners manual for my 1957 Johnson 3 hp. It sez 16:1 and that's what it gets. I also have the manual for my 61 'rude 18hp. It says 24:1. It's got everything to do with bearing design and engine clearances, not oil properties. If you want 'em to run forever ya gotta treat 'em right.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1963 Johnson 3 hp Seahorse (2 cylinder) mix

Actually, there is no difference between a '63 and '64 OMC 3hp. And neither one has a single needle bearing in the whole motor. Check out the parts list and clearance specs if you want to. I heard it straight from the (Sea) Horse's mouth..."We just found out that it will run on less oil". Also, in 1964 they recommended 50:1 only with Johnson/Evinrude oil!!!

OK, having said that, would I myself run a 3hp on 50:1? Not if I valued the motor. I run mine on 24:1 It may run on 50:1, but I feel it will run longer on 24:1

 

[firstpull]

Re: 1963 Johnson 3 hp Seahorse (2 cylinder) mix

I have no doubt I could run my '57 3hp on 24:1 ok, but the manual sez 16:1 and it works good so why change.

 

[firstpull]

Re: 1963 Johnson 3 hp Seahorse (2 cylinder) mix

I guess the only real point I'm trying to make is that we don't change our mixtures based on "modern" oils being "better" lubricators.

 

[JB]

Re: 1963 Johnson 3 hp Seahorse (2 cylinder) mix

Wrong, firstpull.

In the 1964 Johnson Service Manual OMC revised the mix recommendation for all OMC-built outboards prior to 1964 to 24:1. That change was based on the availability of TCW oil, not on JohnnyRude oil.

Running your li'l hummer on 16:1 with 30w non-detergent motor oil (as the manual said) will do no harm to the engine as long as you decarb regularly, but it is not friendly to the environment.

While I agree with your position that we should do what the maker recommends, we need to keep up with changes in those recommendations.

 

[firstpull]

Re: 1963 Johnson 3 hp Seahorse (2 cylinder) mix

My '57 manual recommends 16:1 with two-stroke oil or 30w. They probably changed the recommendation from 16:1 to 24:1 later based on experience with the engines. The problem I'm trying to identify here (and not having a lot of luck) is that there are a lot of misinformed people out there running ancient outboards at fifty to one because they think that is the standard mixture for an outboard now with "improved" oils so it'll be fine with their old one.

 

[JB]

Re: 1963 Johnson 3 hp Seahorse (2 cylinder) mix

Well, you are right about the problem, firstpull. It amazes me that so many get away with running 50:1 in pre-'64 OMC engines. In fact, it amazes me that they made a blanket change in 1964 rather than a model by model change based on engineering changes.

Some folks read that as meaning it is okay to run 50:1 in earlier engines and others see it as needing to run 24:1 in later engines that were not fully benefitted with ball/roller/needle bearings.

I think the engineers knew/know a lot of stuff about the engines they design that is not published and not available to the inquiring wrench. Like you, I am not prone to second guess them but that includes not second guessing changes in their recommendations.

 

[firstpull]

Re: 1963 Johnson 3 hp Seahorse (2 cylinder) mix

Now if someone could just tell me where to get a prop for the darned thing................

 

[dukboat]

Re: 1963 Johnson 3 hp Seahorse (2 cylinder) mix

I have a 1962 JW 17 3 HP Johnson and it still has the factory stickers on it. The mix is 24 to 1 but the sticker also says you can use 30 weight motor oil. I've been running 32 to 1 and it runs fine, I am using a good grade of twc 3 oil. Dukboat

 

[dukboat]

Re: 1963 Johnson 3 hp Seahorse (2 cylinder) mix

Check out Ebay item # 230206808468, it a complete 3 HP for parts and it comes with 2 props. dukboat