1958 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

[asdasc]

OK, any bets on how screwed up my motor is?
We had a sudden freeze and I couldn't get out to the cottage quick enough to pull the boat. I use it every weekend, so try to leave it in as long as possible. This time, I think I messed up. I was still not able to get the boat out, but did manage to pull the motor. The lower unit lube drained nicely, but I am concerned about damage to the water pump and casing.

Any advice or tidbits I should know before I tear it apart? I needed to replace the seals on it anyway and planned to pull it apart this winter anyway.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

if lower was in the water, 99% it is ok. if water did not freeze, lower did not freeze.

 

[mikesea]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

water /ice really becomes a problem when there is an amount that has no room to expand if frozen.In outboards ,most waterpassages will drain down to a point that the residual is minimum.I did alot of outboard work in NY and new saw a freezing problem in an OUTBOARD.Inboards are a different story.I would take the earliest opportunity and run it.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

As TD, if the lower unit was submerged below the ice level you are most likely O.K.

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

If the L/U was in the water, and there was just a thin layer of ice on the lake, you should be ok. Normally things sticking into the water will not get frozen solid around them right away due to heat radiation. If you were able to pull it out, you should be okay. I'm in Central lower Michigan and our lake froze over Thursday, but not much ice yet. Better get that boat out quickly, or you won't be getting it out

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

I just pulled my 18 on Tuesday under freezing temps. (We were getting 10" of snow on Wed!) I expect it to be ok. I would just put it away til the sping and run it then. And make sure the water pump is a pumping...

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

I think that thar looks like a '59 johnson popsicle.
I wish we could have just a little of your freezing cold snowy weather down here in Louisiana so we could play in it a little and get some ducks down here.
I know you guys get tired of it pretty quickly.
BTW, I think if you have a lower unit that keeps good oil in and water out, then it's a pretty darned nice motor. To me, that's the hardest thing to get right on those.
Good luck with it,
JBJ

 

[asdasc]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

Thanks all. The leg was in the water, but only about a foot of water, and it was frozen 6" thick. I chipped away the ice to pull the motor, and was hopeful when I saw water drain out the leg when I pulled it. I don't see any buldges in the case, so I may be ok.

It says it is an FD13, which is a 58, right? It doesn't have the thermostat, unfortunately, which started in 59 I think. It has the fiberglass hood.

 

[asdasc]

Re: 1959 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

Re: 1959 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

JBJ, your post puzzled me, since I know and respect all the answers you have shared. I just did some more research, and you are quite right!

It is a 1959 Johnson 18HP Popcicle...

How could I have had that wrong for so long? I have all the information here at my finger tips to have gotten it right. Thanks for the enlightenment.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

Thanks all. The leg was in the water, but only about a foot of water, and it was frozen 6" thick. I chipped away the ice to pull the motor, and was hopeful when I saw water drain out the leg when I pulled it. I don't see any buldges in the case, so I may be ok.

It says it is an FD13, which is a 58, right? It doesn't have the thermostat, unfortunately, which started in 59 I think. It has the fiberglass hood.

FD-13 is a 1959. It should have a fiberglass hood AND a thermostat. 1958 models had a flip-up metal hood and no thermostat.

 

[asdasc]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

Thanks FR. Now you have me thinking about the thermostat. Next time out I will check for it. My parts book is from a 1958 Evinrude 18HP, so I am not sure what to look for, but I assume it is a cover on the top of the powerhead with the thermostat under it. I should also check for the powerhead numbers to be sure they match.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

The 58's are also red. I just got a '59 18hp electric start last week. Looks just like yours!

The thermostat is under the triangular cover on top of the head.

And your LU looks like it's from an older Evinrude...

 

[asdasc]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

Thanks Steve, I will check it out. I pulled the lower unit off of my 59 Golden Jubilee 18HP, but i don't think it was original to that either. Under that blue paint is white paint from another Johnson, I am guessing.

I someday need to get a new case for a lower unit and get the Evinrude put into service. Too many projects going, I guess.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

It looks like the freeze was right at the waterpump area only, so I would check that out good. If you're planning to reseal the LU then a new pump assembly may be in order too.

And yes I do see a thermostat on that motor, so it should be a '59

 

[asdasc]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

Really? You can see the thermostat cover in the picture?

I feel really foolish, as I have always wished I had a thermostat with all the cold weather use I get. I run that motor every weekend from first thaw to first freeze. I can't wait to get back out there and take that apart. Since you mentioned it being a triangle, can I assume it is held on with three bolts or screws? Will I most likely need to replace the gasket?

I can't wait to see what I will find in there.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

Yep I saved the pic and zoomed in on it. I see one of the screws and the cover on top of the head. It would be a good idea to open her up and see how the thermostat looks while you're at it, These tend to corrode up a lot and get stuck. You can actually get thermostats that stay open, when they fail, so you don't over heat your engine. Kind of a nice feature, I think.

Judging by the lower coweling, that motor is a '59. Besides, '59 and later motors are white, whereas the '58 is Holiday Bronze. The lower unit is of course off of an Evinrude and the lower gearcase half is Johnson. Some say that you have to match gearcase halves, but I think that is false. Once you set your bearings in and sinch the screws down, they center themselves up just fine, besides, your bearing assemblies are a separate part, from your gearcase halves. I have actually assembled gearcase halves together without anyparts installed and found that they mate up just fine. One thing to look for is that the line bore for the bearing assemblies mate up without and offset step at the seam.

 

[asdasc]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

Somewhere near the blue circle? Or the red circle?

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

Yep, that's exactly it. One of the mounting screws is on the far left of your red circle

 

[asdasc]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

What and interesting day. I posted about something, and learned so much more. In looking at some other pictures of the motor I had from before, it is clear that this is the thermostat cover, now that I know what I am looking for.

Thanks for all of the help, this was far better than I had hoped.

Now, if only the water pump isn't destroyed internally....

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18HP Popcicle

Glad to help out. It looks like this motor hasn't seen much salt water use, judging by the condition of the screws and the paint. I would let it thaw out for a few days and see how it works out. I'm willing to bet your impeller may have taken the expansion from the ice in your water pump, so you may be okay.