1959 Sea-Horse 5.5hp (CD-16)

[LoudDog]

I recently aquired this motor. It appears to be in great shape, any idea what it is worth?

I also got a 7hp Ted Williams (model 217-39440). I can't figure out what year. It doesn't seem to be nearly as nice as the the Johnson. Anyone know anything about it? Worth anything?

Supposedly both run, no fuel tank so I haven't tried yet.

I'm debating over using one or the other, or selling both and getting a bigger 4-stroke. Any thoughts or advice?

And yeah, I'm new to boating

Thanks for any help!

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1959 Sea-Horse 5.5hp (CD-16)

I tried to use NADA.com to get you a price, but they only go back to 1974. The price would really depend on its condition plus its running state. Check the compression and spark before you begin anything.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 1959 Sea-Horse 5.5hp (CD-16)

Keep the Johnson...worth $100/150 if a good runner, and will probably out last you if maintained..Take the T/W and see if a free sign with it in front works..

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1959 Sea-Horse 5.5hp (CD-16)

I'm with Scatty on that... And find a good tank...

 

[Hoss the Hermit]

Re: 1959 Sea-Horse 5.5hp (CD-16)

What works better than a "FREE" sign is putting it on the lawn with a "$100" sign on it. It might sell, but somebody will steal it within a couple days if it doesn't. Free stuff is junk.

 

[LoudDog]

Re: 1959 Sea-Horse 5.5hp (CD-16)

Thanks!

Any idea how fast the 5.5hp will push a 14' plain jane aluminum game fisher?

 

[floatingwoody2006]

Re: 1959 Sea-Horse 5.5hp (CD-16)

probably about 8-10 mph with one adult and small gear. Probably won't quite plane..

 

[pseank]

Re: 1959 Sea-Horse 5.5hp (CD-16)

I own 11 old Johnson outboards. If it has compression, clean fuel system, proper fuel ratio, good tune and plenty of water it will last as long as you maintain it. The 59 requires a pressure tank and wont be cheap. Probally around $75.00 maybe more if restored. Also make sure the lower unit doesnt leak gear oil out - or water in. I only let 1 freeze up on me before I changed gear oil every fall and checked for water. I think the proper fuel ratio is 24/1 but I think with a good engine and the far superior oils today you can push close to 50/1. I have done so on a 1960 Johnson 10hp for 8 years without any problems. KEEP THE JONRUDE. ITS REAL MACHINERY THAT LASTS!

SEAN

 

[rjezuit]

Re: 1959 Sea-Horse 5.5hp (CD-16)

The pressure tanks are not that bad on ebay, but stick to the 24:1 or at most 30:1 with modern oil. It doesn't cost that much more, nor smoke that bad while running, but it will give you peace of mind about everything being lubed right. Rick

 

[wbeaton]

Re: 1959 Sea-Horse 5.5hp (CD-16)

I agree with the rest...keep the 5.5 hp. Run 24:1 premix.

Neither has much value. Possibly $200-250 for the Johnson assuming its in good running condition and looking reasonably nice. A collector wouldn't pay that, but an angler might. Those 5.5 hp Johnson/Evinrudes are still desirable motors.

Good luck selling the 7.5 hp. If it runs I'd say it was worth $10/hp or $75. Put it on Craigslist or something. Someone will eventually buy it. If it runs I'd post it for maybe $175 and see what happens. Lots of people only care that its a cheap 7.5 hp and don't care who made it. If it doesn't sell then re-list for $100. What have you got to lose? But don't be surprised if you can't give it away.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1959 Sea-Horse 5.5hp (CD-16)

pseank, funny, I had one of my old 5.5's freeze and crack the LU also and that was also my last time... every engine I run now the LU oil gets changed in the fall before the winter... which will need to be this week as it's going below freezing up here tomorrow night!

I use 33:1 on my '61 5.5hp as it's a nice easy number to work with And I use full synthetic oil.

Dunno how fast a 5.5hp will push a 14'er but mine planes out 2 x 10 year old kids on a 12' aluminum... And it ploughs like a tug boat when I'm in it
(6'5", 230lbs)

Oh yeah, and dump the Ted Williams... Dont even waste your time looking for parts for it!

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 1959 Sea-Horse 5.5hp (CD-16)

What works better than a "FREE" sign is putting it on the lawn with a "$100" sign on it. It might sell, but somebody will steal it within a couple days if it doesn't. Free stuff is junk.

Ha!... probably steal the sign instead..!... they are not bad motors, but can't hold a candle too Johnny's made 10 years earlier..but today at 2 sold a 3.5 hp Eska (name yer brand..all Tecumseh P-heads)....71..like new..his for $40 ..looked at my 61 5.5 Johnny in the shed..said "ya aint got enough cash on ya, and I don't take credit:..."
Last year sold a 70's Golden Jet 7.5 (samo-samo..) to a kid for $50...again..KEEP THE JOHNNY!

 

[LoudDog]

Re: 1959 Sea-Horse 5.5hp (CD-16)

So tried to start them today, no luck on either.

On the Johnson I pumped up the pressure can and it filled the glass filter. It gets spark, but will not even sputter. I verified spark on both plugs and fuel comes out of the filter. However, when I blew into the fuel hose to the carb there is blockage. Is that normal or is that my problem? I don't know anything about these.

On the TW I verified spark but gave up pretty early.

Choke was open on both, and I tried it at the start setting and wide open.

Any advice or suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1959 Sea-Horse 5.5hp (CD-16)

Yep, that's just one of your problems. If your fuel line from your filter to your carb. is stopped up, you probably need to clean your carb too, blowing out all the passages and repacking the slow and fast jets. Also, an impeller for the water pump just for a start. You may need new coils and a lower unit seal kit, but, you can get all this for about 150 bucks.
Good luck,
JBJ

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: 1959 Sea-Horse 5.5hp (CD-16)

What works better than a "FREE" sign is putting it on the lawn with a "$100" sign on it. It might sell, but somebody will steal it within a couple days if it doesn't. Free stuff is junk.

I used to live on a street where you could put stuff at the curb with a "free" sign, and it would be gone by morning, it really didn't matter what it was, I saved myself many trips to the dump.

One day I got smart, and built me a class act "free" sign, I painted a board, got a stencil, and painted the word "FREE" on it, bolted it to a post, and buried the post in a 5 gallon bucket of concrete, it looked good, and I put a lot of work in it, I put some stuff out at the curb I didn't want, and stuck my new "FREE" sign right in the middle of it.

I woke up the next morning, all the stuff was still there, but my new "FREE" sign was gone.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1959 Sea-Horse 5.5hp (CD-16)

They took the free sign? Now that's funny!

Now back to the 5.5. Yes, you have to clear the fuel lines. Put some gas/oil mix in a spray bottle and spray it in the carb then see if it sputters/runs. If yes, then you know you need carb work.

And sell the TW... dont even waste your time on it... Try looking for parts, that'll change your mind in a hurry!

Speaking of pre mix, I was reading a can of Sea Foam yesterday (does anyone else do that? and they say you can use it as quick start and that it has lubricant in it. So that's an alternative also.

 

[LoudDog]

Re: 1959 Sea-Horse 5.5hp (CD-16)

Thanks for the help thus far!

I almost traded the Ted Williams for a MinnKota 30, but the guy changed his mind. He probably saw this thread!

I got the carb off the Johnson, took it apart, blew out all the passages and will be soaking it. There was some gunk, but it was pretty clean. I think I found a problem though. when I cover the intake hole (where the carb was) and pull the cord there is absolutely no suction. Shouldn't there be? Would this be a reed valve problem? If so, how do I get to it?

FYI: There is suction and compression from the cylinders when i pull the spark plugs and cover the hole with my finger.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1959 Sea-Horse 5.5hp (CD-16)

Have you checked the compression yet? Make sure it's good before doing any work to it. And if you have compression, there's gotta be suction! It's hard to test by yourself though to pull and test at the same time... (for suction that is) Compression is easy with a screw in tester.

btw, I have a '59 5.5hp. But it's in pieces in a box... Was not in good shape when I got it...

 

[LoudDog]

Re: 1959 Sea-Horse 5.5hp (CD-16)

Tested compression and both cylinders are between 50-55psi.

I took off the plate behind the carb and found a lot of gunk built up in there. I removed it all, but I don't know what I'm looking at. Several channels, two spring loaded rubber caps, and some other stuff. Is there anything I should look for or check while it's open?

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1959 Sea-Horse 5.5hp (CD-16)

I usually don't find a lot of gunk behind the carb., but I haven't done a huge number. You should find the reed valves there (copper flaps covering 2 big openings. Be very careful you don't bend them or mess with them. When you finish cleaning it and put it back together, be sure to take your time and make a good seal. Don't overtorque the screws as that might warp the surface. You don't want it to leak or it will run really rough.
Hope it runs good for you,
JBJ