1960 Johnson Seahorse RDS22 Advice Needed

[David Bradley]

Hi Guys, I Need some advice on How to approach a Restart of a 1960 Johnson 40 HP Super Seahrose that has been in storage & NOT Ran for OVER 10 YEARS. I aquired my 1964 MFG NIAGARA with this 1960 Johnson from the Original owner who, due to illness, had NOT RUN the Boat in over 10 years but had told me that it was indeed Fully serviced, as allways, when it was last removed from the water. I know very little to nothing about outboard engines and am very hesitant to "Wake This Old Girl Up" for fear of doing possible damage to something, somehow....any advice at all, Do's or Don't...would be Greatly appreciated. Also any opinions on this engine...Good? Bad? Known Problems? Whatever, would be great to hear from others who have owned one. thanks Guys, DanO'

Here is a You Tube Link to the Video of the engine. http://youtu.be/eKyryvVkfAk

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1960 Johnson Seahorse RDS22 Advice Needed

Well, I am a proud owner of a few of these engines, myself. So here goes:

Squirt some WD-40 inside of the cylinders and spin it over a few times, then take a compression test. Readings should be even and anything over 100 psi per hole is good.

Check the ignition over. Clean and re-set the points at .020 and make sure the coils aren't cracked. A 1960 motor is likely to have the antique coils, unless someone has already changed them. The picture below shows what bad coils look like.

Clean and re-kit the carburetor. It's likely too, that the gaskets and float are in rough shape, after this many years of sitting.

Replace the waterpump impeller. After ten years of sitting, the fins are all learned into a lated down position and won't pump to it's best potential. Replace the thermostat also.

Replace the Lower Unit oil. If you find water when you drop the drain plug, then a re-seal kit will be in order.

I know this may seem like a lot to do, but this can be done for around $100 - $150 in parts and you will have a good running motor for a very long time. These old 40's are reliable motors.

 

[David Bradley]

Re: 1960 Johnson Seahorse RDS22 Advice Needed

Thanks so Much, This is Just the Kind of Knowledgable Input I was Hoping For. I Must get a Manual for the engine, seen a few on ebay but not sure if I should be looking for one particular manual that will cover everything mentioned and more. any suggestions on that at all?