1958 and 1959 Johnson Seahorse Saltwater Approved?

[kmk89]

I have two johnson seahorse motors, a 5.5HP from 1959 and a 10HP from 1958. I just got them both in running after 15+ years of storage with the help of iboats forums. I was wondering if these old guys are approved for saltwater use. I didn't seen any muffs I could buy that could flush them out after use on the internet or anywhere for that matter. Any thoughts or has anyone ever used them in saltwater before?

 

[F_R]

Re: 1958 and 1959 Johnson Seahorse Saltwater Approved?

Well, after working 24 years as a full time outboard mechanic on Florida's Gulf Coast, I can assure you that there were tons of them used in salt water. They were as good or better as any at the time for salt water use, but if you are asking if salt will hurt them---well of course it does. You won't find any 60 year old salt water used motors left. Five years was more like it.

 

[all duck'd up]

Re: 1958 and 1959 Johnson Seahorse Saltwater Approved?

i think they would be fine as long as you run them in a drum with a garden hose steadly pumping when you get home. it might even be a good idea to buy some Saltaway from a boat dealer and add that to the water.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1958 and 1959 Johnson Seahorse Saltwater Approved?

Crap, Those motors will thrive in salt water. They were designed for salt water with the besk alloys and lots of Stainless and brass parts. Heck, OMC didn't even recommend that the be flushed. Try to find a motor with those kind of components today...

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1958 and 1959 Johnson Seahorse Saltwater Approved?

Yes, salt water use is fine on those. Just run fresh water through them for a few minutes, after each use, and they'll hold up a lot longer. It's also good to clean the surface of the motors as well, because salt also travels through the air and settles on the outside of all your gear. You can actually see the salt crystals with enough sunlight.

 

[nwcove]

Re: 1958 and 1959 Johnson Seahorse Saltwater Approved?

would attaching an anode to the anti-cav plate be of any benifit? ( i personally dont like the thought of drilling holes in a vintage motor.....but if it would make a difference.....maybe!)

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1958 and 1959 Johnson Seahorse Saltwater Approved?

Anodes are only necessary if the gearcase or transom bracket are always submerged in the water. Be aware there are different anodes for salt and fresh water. If the boat is trailered, the anodes will not be necessary.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 1958 and 1959 Johnson Seahorse Saltwater Approved?

Well, after working 24 years as a full time outboard mechanic on Florida's Gulf Coast, I can assure you that there were tons of them used in salt water. They were as good or better as any at the time for salt water use, but if you are asking if salt will hurt them---well of course it does. You won't find any 60 year old salt water used motors left. Five years was more like it.

Except for my old motors. They were used in saltwater, but I was religious about flushing them out, hosing them off, and drenching them in WD40 from a spray bottle. Worst parts were the lower unit castings around the water pump area.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1958 and 1959 Johnson Seahorse Saltwater Approved?

The first problem is the screws all get impossible to get out if you have to. Flushing doesn't help that. After that, it is all downhill from there.

BTW, salt water varies from one area to the other. Even fairly close by. For instance it is worse in the Florida Keys than along the Gulf coast. The best place to moor a boat locally here was the creek where the city dumped the sewage. Used to be a mite stinky, but they cleaned it up now. And a lot of it goes inland for irrigation.

 

[Haffiman]

Re: 1958 and 1959 Johnson Seahorse Saltwater Approved?

Run it in a bucket of clean water, then at the end add some cutting oil to the bucket. This will normally keep the internal corrosion in check for quite some time.

 

[kmk89]

Re: 1958 and 1959 Johnson Seahorse Saltwater Approved?

Ok, great. Thanks for the input