1959 35hp Johnson Electric Start

[Timbit]

The Motor has a plug on the side of it... I think this is where the ignition plugs into the motor. the only problem is that the Dealers around my area do not carry many parts for this motor, Is there another year that I can substitute this plug for or would it be possible to wire it up myself. Thanks

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1959 35hp Johnson Electric Start

Is this a rectangular looking plug with a screw to hold it in place? If so, it's the same as my 1958 Super Seahorse 35. The plug goes to an external box, which has a starter solenoid in it. From there, wires go to your ignition switch.<br /><br />You really should have the correct plug and box, but they're not available new. Contact Twin Cities Outboard at http://www.tcoutboard.com. Email or phone them with them the model number of your motor (on a metal plate on the front at the transom mount.) Your's is probably a RDS-21 or RDSL-21. Tell them that you're looking for the remote electric box and cables, with the plug.<br /><br />Odds are that they have a few of them on hand, since that was a popular motor. It probably won't be cheap, though, so be prepared.<br /><br />Failing that, it IS possible to do your own wiring. Most any solenoid will work, and the rest of the wiring just goes to the ignition and choke switch.<br /><br />You'll need a manual to help you decipher what goes where. There's a decent wiring diagram in the SELOC manual (better than the factory one, frankly.)<br /><br />Best of luck, and let us know how things go. I have virtually the same engine that you do, and I'm working on it all the time, so feel free to post other questions. I'll try to help.

 

[Timbit]

Re: 1959 35hp Johnson Electric Start

Great, Thanks for the help. Any idea what the Proper Spark Plug and Gap would be?? Right now it has Champion J4C with a .30 gap.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 1959 35hp Johnson Electric Start

That's the correct spark plug and gap. <br />The original speced spark plug was a champion J6J, but it's no longer available. The J6C is hardly different. They just redesigned the ground electrode a bit.

 

[Timbit]

Re: 1959 35hp Johnson Electric Start

I just got the motor to run, The guy i bought it off of hasn't used it for over a year so i cleaned up the carb and fuel filter and it started on the 2nd pull!! but the exaust port was only spitting a little bit of water and alot of steam, also there are 2 little holes below the exaust hole (big one) are these both pee holes? none of them had any water coming out of them when it was running, so i shut it off as soon as i seen this. My johnson dealer carries impellers for my motor but where can i get a manual so i don't blindly start ripping my motor apart?

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 1959 35hp Johnson Electric Start

Good to hear it's running well. <br />That big hole is the water outlet and idle relief together. There is no tell-tale as such on these engines. Not much water will come out of there at idle until the engine warms up a bit and the thermostat opens. Until then most the water is re-circulated. You'll see what I mean when you pull the lower unit and see two water tubes for the water pump. <br />A lot of exhaust is supposed to come out though, and due to the leg water cooling system, it'll be steamy exhaust. Still, it's a good idea to replace that impeller since you don't know how old it is.<br />I strongly suggest you get the original factory service manual. It's a few bucks more than the aftermarket ones (Clymers, Seloc) but it's much better. You can get it from kencook.com, marineengine.com theoutboardwizard.com or maxrules.com. Sorry I can't give you direct links - they're forbidden.<br />If you want wait or whatever before buying one of those, you can often borrow an aftermarket one from your local library.<br />Hope this helps!<br />PS - are you sure about the year?

 

[Timbit]

Re: 1959 35hp Johnson Electric Start

Well, I can't read the model# from the plate as the #'s are almost not there, but i did find a link with pics of the '58 and '59 35hp and my motor looks exactly like the 59, is there any other place where i can find the model #??

 

[Timbit]

Re: 1959 35hp Johnson Electric Start

I am going to my boat right now to put a new coupler on the trailer, while I am there I will try to get the numbers off of it, if i can't get the model #, does the serial # help?? I will get that as well

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: 1959 35hp Johnson Electric Start

There should be a "plug" in the engine block about the size of a nickle. It should have the model stamped in it.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 1959 35hp Johnson Electric Start

If it doesn't, try posting the serial number. It might work.<br />So you have the 35hp with the 'shell' around the midsection then? That would be the one with the thermostat and two water lines. That is to say, the midsection doesn't look like the one on my 28hp (click the little man-next-to-house icon on one of my posts)?

 

[Timbit]

Re: 1959 35hp Johnson Electric Start

you would be correct about the shell around the midsection. I wrote down the serial # but lost the paper i wrote it on at work last night, as for the plug on top of the engine block.. it is the same as the serial # but with a 10 in front of the serial #. Guess I'll make another trip to my boat before work again, hopefully i don't lose it this time

 

[Timbit]

Re: 1959 35hp Johnson Electric Start

Serial # 27785<br />on top of the engine block # 1027785

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1959 35hp Johnson Electric Start

If it's a 1959 Johnson 35, it's either RDS-21 or RDSL-21. The re-designed 35, with the two line water pump, came out in 1958 as RDS(L)-20, with Super Seahorse on the cover and Super Quiet on the upper part of the leg.<br /><br />The impeller job isn't too tough, but can be a little confusing without the manual. I'd replace the impeller, for sure, on that motor, but I wouldn't do it until I had the manual in hand.<br /><br />One thing to note is that the external cover at the rear of the exhaust housing must be removed to access one of the bolts holding the lower end on the leg.<br /><br />Also, the shift linkage disconnect is concealed behind two covers on the upper part of the leg. Remove the outer cover, but remove only the upper screw on the inner cover, then loosen the lower screw and let the cover swing away.<br /><br />Important point, not mentioned in the manual: When removing the inner cover screws and the screw which releases the clamp on the shift linkage, be very, very careful not to drop the screws. It's tight quarters, too, so take your time and work slowly.<br /><br />When you get your manual, be sure to ask any questions you might have. Paul and I should be able to answer them for you.

 

[Timbit]

Re: 1959 35hp Johnson Electric Start

Thanks Guys, I'll be sure to let ya know how i make out, I am getting a factory service manual and have the impeller on order. If I have any problems (and probably will), I'll start a new post. Once again Thanks to everyone that replied back!!!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 1959 35hp Johnson Electric Start

Just thought I'd let you know that someone is parting out a 59 Johnson 35 hp on eBay. Decent looking stuff. Search for "Johnson 35" (no quotes) on eBay.

 

[daveswaves]

Re: 1959 35hp Johnson Electric Start

Timbit, I am 1 hour south of you and I have a 35 HP evinrude, 1958 that I am going to part out, some parts are already gone but if you get in a bind for an obscure part you never know, I might have it.

 

[Timbit]

Re: 1959 35hp Johnson Electric Start

Daveswaves, if I need anything I'll send out a post for you. Iam quite familiar with that area, I used to goto turkey point and dover quite a bit.

 

[John the landlubber]

Re: 1959 35hp Johnson Electric Start

daveswaves, i don't suppose you would have the wiring harness for that motor would you?