1955 Johnson 25Hp Starter Question

[Shakedownscott]

Hello,

I am looking for a starter for a RDE-17. The bracket is still with the motor but the starter was missing when I got it. I have tried to find the exact stater for this motor but it's pretty hard to find.

How similar are the starters from these motors? I would like to try and adapt a more common starter to this application. What are the differences in starters? Is is the starter gear, physical size of starter?

Thanks,

Scott

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1955 Johnson 25Hp Starter Question

They are actually quite common, if you know where to look. I have a few of them I could sell you, but I think the shipping would cost more than the starters worth(I am in Canada). Post an ad at aomci.org in the webvertize section, there will be plenty of guys there with parts motors that are closer to your area.

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1955 Johnson 25Hp Starter Question

That motor had one of the fat "soupcan" starters, and they are hard to find. It was a 6 volt starter. A 6 volt starter from a 1956 30hp can be used, but you'll also need the bracket, as the 1956 starter was a smaller diameter. You could probably also fit a 12 volt starter from a 1957, 58 or 59, but you'd also need the bracket. If you go to a 12 volt starter, you'll also have to change the starter solenoid.

 

[Shakedownscott]

Re: 1955 Johnson 25Hp Starter Question

Thanks for the info. I didn't know this was originally a 6 volt starter. I think it might be easier to convert it to a 12 volt starter. I need to get a starter solenoid anyway, I can just get a 12 volt one.

Sounds like getting the starter with the bracket is the key to adapting it to the motor. Do the brackets usually have the same hole pattern where it bolts to the power head. At least for 50's and 60's big twins?

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1955 Johnson 25Hp Starter Question

Make sure that you get the bracket for the '57 and older and '58 non Super Quiet model, because they have the tong, for the shroud to mount on.

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1955 Johnson 25Hp Starter Question

The bolt pattern will be the same, but there may be some slight difference in the rest of the bracket. It will fit under the cowl ok (I've done it) but the front starboard side cup where the cowl rubber bushing rides may be different. Try to get a starter and bracket from a Johnson, not an Evinrude, as the Johnson cowl opens front to back where the Evi opens side to side.

 

[Shakedownscott]

Re: 1955 Johnson 25Hp Starter Question

Thanks again for all of the help with finding the right parts for my motor.

I think I just hit the jackpot with regards to parts. last night, after spending a ton of time on Ebay and sending emails to some of the salvage yards trying to find the right parts. I decided for the heck of it to local Craigslist. I found someone that was looking to get rid of three old johnsons.

After 6 hrs of driving, I just got home with three outboards all electric start with the starters still there. They all cost me about the same price of a new starter, I am totally excited about getting these. One is a '61 with a fuel pump and bypass cover I was also looking for.

The motors model numbers are RDE-18, RJE-19 and RDS-23. One has a bad cylinder and the other two are in unknown condition.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1955 Johnson 25Hp Starter Question

NICE!!!!! Let the tinkering commence!

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1955 Johnson 25Hp Starter Question

The RDE18 would be a 1956, so that is a 6 volt system. The Other two would be 12 volt. Did they come with the wiring harnesses and solenoids? FYI - your motor will also have a 6 volt choke solenoid, so if you go to 12 volts, you'll aslo need to change that. You CAN run a 6 volt starter off a 12 volt battery - just don't crank it too long. But 12 volts will burn up the 6 volt choke solenoid. On my '55 Johnson, I kept it a 6 volt starter, used a 12 volt starter solenoid and choke solenoid and it works fine with a 12 volt battery.

 

[Shakedownscott]

Re: 1955 Johnson 25Hp Starter Question

The motors did not come with a harness or starter solenoids. The '56 had a different starter and bracket put on it. The bracket stands out because its white and the rest of the engine is red, not sure if it 6 or 12 volt. Is there any way to tell if it's 6 volt Vs 12 volt other than finding a part number and looking it up?

Good point about the chocke solenoid, I didn't even think of that.

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1955 Johnson 25Hp Starter Question

If it's a factory white bracket, it's got to be from a '57+ motor, so it would be 12 volt. '55 was green and '56 was red.