1956 jonson 5 1/2.....is it worth spending money on?

[nwcove]

the old motor has no fire?.......good compression on #1 cyl......low on #2. would like to restore it, but dont want to get into a money pit. is it even worth trying......or should i send her to the scrap heap?

 

[dockrat100]

Re: 1956 jonson 5 1/2.....is it worth spending money on?

How low is your low compression? I run a scrap heap in my backyard, send it to me....

 

[nwcove]

Re: 1956 jonson 5 1/2.....is it worth spending money on?

didnt put a compression gauge on it......its feels like about half the top cyl. i think it would run if it had fire. its not beat up/banged up, and would look nice cleaned up and painted, just dont want to start a project that ends up costing too much.....and ends up with dissappiontment!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1956 jonson 5 1/2.....is it worth spending money on?

I run a '55 5.5hp and I am going to be investing money in parts with no worries.

They are considered to be some of the most reliable, easy to work on motors of all time. They sold record numbers of them in the 50s and there are lots of them still in running condition all over the place.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1956 jonson 5 1/2.....is it worth spending money on?

That motor is scrap, I will send you my address so I can properly dispose of it for you.

Seriously though, start by taking actual compression readings. Unless you are spiderman, there is no way to really the difference between cylinders.

Let us know what you find and we can go from there.

If in fact there is a low cylinder, which I wouldnt worry about until you test of course, but if there is, if you put an ad on the webvertize of aomci.org, you should be able to find a good donor power head for under $50.

 

[Mas]

Re: 1956 jonson 5 1/2.....is it worth spending money on?

Low compression could be as simple as stuck rings (which can be loosened up with some "seafoam") to a leaky head gasket...which is only slightly more difficult. Get the readings on compression using a tester to see where you are at.

Mas

 

[dockrat100]

Re: 1956 jonson 5 1/2.....is it worth spending money on?

I agree with previous posters, get an accurate compression test and go from there. I have a 5.5 that I am restoring, and will have put about $125 into it before I am done. So if your compression is good, spend away...Money well spent.

 

[nwcove]

Re: 1956 jonson 5 1/2.....is it worth spending money on?

having a bit of trouble finding a loner compression tester, but still looking. what is this "seafoam" ?
from all the great info im getting here, it dont sound like the engine can be honed out and new rings installed? point me in the direction of some seafoam! lol

 

[nwcove]

Re: 1956 jonson 5 1/2.....is it worth spending money on?

lol.....i think it might be scrap! too bad....its not banged up, prop still has original lookin paint. shipping from nova scotia to anywhere, would probably be cost prohibitive!

 

[nwcove]

Re: 1956 jonson 5 1/2.....is it worth spending money on?

would love to find a good power head for $50 in eastern canada! shipping might hurt tho.

 

[Mas]

Re: 1956 jonson 5 1/2.....is it worth spending money on?

Should be able to find seafoam at any auto parts store...basically the product helps remove any built up carbon in the combustion chamber. Clean up the points under the flywheel & re-gap and see if you can get it to spark. You gotta have it running on both cylinders (even poorly) to effectively use the seafoam.

If all else fails concerning compression, remove the head and see what you've got...but much can be checked out before I would do that. You cannot determine the motor's health until some basic troubleshooting is completed.

Mas

 

[steelespike]

Re: 1956 jonson 5 1/2.....is it worth spending money on?

So did you do a compression test.Gosh how much could a tester cost at Harbor freight?
I thinkl pep boys and the like rent testers.Sea Foam is a fuel treatment and can be applied directly to the cylinders as well.There have been some compression restorations posted here.
These motors run ok with 60 psi.Most routine parts are available many right here at iboats.
You very likely will have to replace the coils under the flywheel.Many motors have an inspection port in the flywheel.Any doscoloration or cracks its time to replace.
These are wonderful little motors.I've seen them pofessionally restored selling for $700 to S$1,000 depending on equipment.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1956 jonson 5 1/2.....is it worth spending money on?

Did you ever find out the readings? No Harbour Freight or pep Boys in Canada, but there is Princess Auto!

If you find out for sure that the power head is bad, I could mail you a known good one. PM me for details if you need it. I could give a better deal if you mail me the current one.

 

[nwcove]

Re: 1956 jonson 5 1/2.....is it worth spending money on?

have looked at the coils, one is light green (original?)....one is black. the plugs wires could be original, the top one has the brass band on it. i did see part numbers somewhere from napa to get coils, points etc reasonable.....but still need some good data on compression before i buy parts.....no good to kick a dead horse! (are sea horses ever really dead? lol)

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1956 jonson 5 1/2.....is it worth spending money on?

Is the insulaton on either of the coils cracked? if so, then they will need replacing. If not, then you're okay. You may just need to clean the points and re-gap them.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1956 jonson 5 1/2.....is it worth spending money on?

Did you ever find out the readings? No Harbour Freight or pep Boys in Canada, but there is Princess Auto!
.

I'll bet Can Tire has gauges, too...

 

[jmendoza]

Re: 1956 jonson 5 1/2.....is it worth spending money on?

See attached pictures of my restored 1954 CD-11. This engine was a project somebody gave up on. Had new coils, water pump rebuilt but still overheated and did not circulate water. I found chopped up paper towel in the main water gallery when I took the power head off, I think it got sucked up by the engine in a test tank/trash can. Anyway, I overhauled the carb, put in a new float, removed the idle pocket welch plug to get those jets clean, used new packing from carb kit on high and low needles (important to do, old packing will disintegrate and clog jets), removed the head and cleaned it and the piston crowns, replaced the head gasket with a new one, did the modification for a single line tank, bought decals and had the local automotive paint store match the paint and put it in spray cans. Clear coated when done over the decals and she's a beauty, it was well worth the effort, and runs like a top. Gets comments whenever we go out on the lake, and although its not fast and takes 25:1, it gets you there and is dependable.

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: 1956 jonson 5 1/2.....is it worth spending money on?

Apart from the motor, which may not really cost that much to fix...have you checked the lower unit for water and rust? Remove the drain screw and see what comes out. If the lower unit is full of water / rust etc. that could be a concern too. of course parts like lower units and powerheads are on Ebay all the time. Right now there are several of each. And parts are readily available on Iboats and elsewhere so I suspect the motor is well worth the effort. I have a 61' model 5.5 and it has done us well. We are replacing it with a long shaft 8HP as it fits our boat better (deep v 16') as a kicker motor. But these 5.5's are surprising motors for their size and age. You will need a special pressurized fuel tank, if you don't have one as that motor did not have a fuel pump.

 

[nwcove]

Re: 1956 jonson 5 1/2.....is it worth spending money on?

thanks jsgold, i will drain the lower unit and see how things look. as far as the pressurized tank goes, if i can get this old girl to make a kick, i have plans of converting to a fuel pump set up.

 

[nwcove]

Re: 1956 jonson 5 1/2.....is it worth spending money on?

both coils seem to be intact, looks clean under the flywheel.