1957 Johnson Sea Horse 18HP questions

[bluesman1a2a3a]

I have a 1957 Sea Horse 18HP that I bought from the original owner around 18 years ago. He only used it for duck hunting, so he said he hadn't really used it alot at all. He had me take it to the local Evinrude dealer to have it checked out, at his expense. It ran great, the mechanic said it was top notch. Over the years, I have kept the cylinder lubed with WD40 and it pulls free. Now, I want to get it cranked and running. I have the original fuel tank, so I will assume that it's the pressure tank. I have to replace the lines on it but still have the hookup plug.

I'm green at this so I would like any suggestions on what and how to do to prevent doing the wrong things. Is there anywhere online that I can find the instructions to cranking this motor? Or if any of you can tell me what I need to know, I would greatly appreciate it. I'm going to sell this motor, so if anyone can tell me what the approximate value of it, I would appreciate that also....thanks in advance.....

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1957 Johnson Sea Horse 18HP questions

read this: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=299680

 

[bluesman1a2a3a]

Re: 1957 Johnson Sea Horse 18HP questions

Thanks for the information, this will certainly take a load off my mind.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1957 Johnson Sea Horse 18HP questions

well, you just picked up one of the best motors, Evenrude ever produced and about the best year too. It sounds like your treating it right, by lubing up the cylinders before you crank it up. If you keep the right oil mix in it and keep the oil good in the gearfoot, you'll do great with it for many years to come and pass it down. I had one once and sold several. You did good!!

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1957 Johnson Sea Horse 18HP questions

From my experience, a really nice one would go about $300 to $500. You'd have to ship it probably, to get the highest price.
The first thing you need to do to get it in running condition is check compression, then check for GOOD spark--has to jump a 1/4 inch gap on a spark tester at least, then change the impeller (it's set and won't pump good over all these years--almost undoubtedly), clean the carburetor, and change the lower unit oil.

In order to start:
Pump the primer button on the pressure tank (24:1 fuel/oil ratio) until firm, then check to see it's in neutral, turn the throtte as far as it will go (it won't go wide open in neutral), pull the choke and it should fire up in 2 pulls, maybe 3 if tuned right. When it cranks, push the choke in and run it.

BTW, that's a really good and reliable motor when maintained, and if you ever plan on boating again for the rest of your life, you'd be crazy to sell that motor. It's not worth in dollars what it's worth in getting good use out of it.

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: 1957 Johnson Sea Horse 18HP questions

I've got a '58 johnson 18hp. Got it during winter for $200 without the tank. I took it out fishing on a fishing trip in May powering a 14' Lund with two of us in the boat. Gotta say, love the motor and at $200, I think it was a steal. With the tank, if it's in good running condition, looks clean, and with the tank, $300-$500 sounds right.

 

[57chris]

Re: 1957 Johnson Sea Horse 18HP questions

Hey nice motor, i've got the same one...there's quite a few folks with those motors on this site, if you do a search you'll find most of the threads. I have a thread on re-building mine here too...http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=312731

I wound up using a fuel pump and late model tank on my motor, it works great. Feel free to pm me with any questions. Good Luck!