1959 QD20 10hp-can I revive it?

[motordummy]

Will leave the unnecessary details out as to how this came to be-youth and of course beer were involved. But once upon a time there were two 1959 10hp johnsons. both ran well. one day about 12 years ago, one of them sunk in the water while running at idle. it was never worked on or even attempted to be started since. it was kinda gonna be used as a parts motor for the other one. the one that survived, later had a shift problem-clutch dog and forward gear. parts motor dog and went on to running motor and it continues to run happily ever after. now, i am looking for a potential winter project to get me out of the house and have had some dark dreams of potentially reviving the old one. two issues.<br /><br />first, regarding the engine (block, head, cylinders, rings, anything that would be ruined by going down while runnin and sitting that long) what and where might i even start to see if there has been internal damage beyond repair, and what would most likely be fried? does this, in and of itself, put this project out of sight or might this baby be able to run? thoughts? parts sources?<br /><br />if the engine were to run after whatever overhaul would be necessary, i then have the lower unit issue with the clutch dog and forward gear. are these parts even still available for this motor or would i have to look for salvage? i know these lower units were far from invincible so i was hoping that there might be quite a bit of old stock somewhere in the world as alot of them would need to be fixed. if not, anyone ever had a machinist make them? does anyone know part #s or a potential source? the gear teeth look ok all around so i could potentially just swap forward and reverse gears and turn dog around and only have the issue in reverse, but if i,m gonna do this i would like it right. obviously, lower unit will not be an issue unless i can get fired up and running dependably. have a factory manual on way so that would not be a major issue though it would be my first outboard teardown project. i am however quite handy with car engines so this doesnt worry me. i am not lookin to spend an arm & leg. thanks for any advice on this.

 

[Hooty]

Re: 1959 QD20 10hp-can I revive it?

Ahh yes, youth and beer. <br />Take the head off and have a look inside. That might put the binders on the project right there.<br />If it was just idling, it may not have hydro-hammered (I just made that up) to bad. Due to rust, it's gonna have to be bored and a new piston and rings, bearings,crankshaft and rod. All the electrics will need replacing and the carb will need rebuilding. Parts are available, some new, some used. <br />As I back off and look at what I've posted, about the only thing you may salvage is the block and linkages. <br />Pull the head and let us know what ya see.<br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 1959 QD20 10hp-can I revive it?

Where in the midwest are you? I have a 10 & 15 h.p. Johnson from 1956, or 57 that I am really getting tired of stumbling over.

 

[motordummy]

Re: 1959 QD20 10hp-can I revive it?

hooty, took the head off. what i see are two very carboned piston tops. the void space around the cylinders (is this a waterjacket area?) are filled with rusted crud. the cylinder sleeves themselves actually do not look too bad. i do not see any dry rusted areas at all and no scoring. shot a bit of oil (actually a concotion called Lube Control-great stuff made by an old timer in Texas. if you want to learn more about this stuff check out bobistheoilguy.com. great info on oils and lubricants too) down each cylinder and they move by pulling started rope quite freely. just to become a bit more familiar with the innerds of this bad boy, i still want to break down the powerhead so i at least know what my working motor is made of when and if repairs have to be done on the working one-nothing like a practice unit if it cannot be revived. now for some questions.<br /> obviously basic ignition/electrical parts can be found along with carb kits and lower unit seal kits, impellers, etc. am i dreaming in finding any kind of powerhead rebuild kit for this? head gasket? rings? etc? i see twin city marina/motors mentioned quite often. other sources? am i better off finding a used powerhead without issues? also, are gears and clutch dog still available?<br /><br />r.johnson. i live in northwest chicago suburbs and work in aurora. if i'm not mistaken, the lower units on the years that you mentioned got switched in 58 or 59 so any parts would not be compatible. powerheads, i do not know. thanks.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1959 QD20 10hp-can I revive it?

Hi MD,<br /> Basically, if the motor turns over smoothly, but has been under water without being properly pickled, then I would check the bearing surfaces when you have it apart. You're looking at all the journals on the crankshaft, the needles and rollers themselves, and the races on the rods. Any significant pitting will result in a pile of scrap aluminum and steel in a hurry. A few minor pits aren't really a problem, as they can help hold oil in the motor. You're looking for ridges that run the length of a needle bearing or journal, as they create a "bump" that the creates friction or can even stop a bearing from spinning. If it turns out you need a crankshaft or other innards, let me know as I may have some odds and ends around...<br />- Scott

 

[Hooty]

Re: 1959 QD20 10hp-can I revive it?

Hey Md,<br />Sounds like a plan ta me. You may find a gasket set for that engine but I doubt you'll find a complete p/h rebuild kit. I don't know if new gears and clutch dogs are available or not. Mr. Joe Reeves would be the one to check with on that but I'm sure you can find used parts if ya need 'em. As far as finding a good used p/h instead of fixing the one you've got, that's gonna depend on you and what shape the innards of the one you have are in.<br /><br />I'm gonna be in your part of the country this week. My grandson is graduating from Navy boot next Thursday and I'm picking up a boat in McHenry Saturday. Could you arrange some nice, warm weather for my visit? I'd really like to do the check ride without freezing my cajones. <br /><br />TIA & c/6<br />Hooty