1964 5 1/2 Johnson

[LR28]

First of all, I just bought this motor and it is the first outboard that I have owned. Wondering if any of you old timers know if this was a very good motor. Model is CD-21A, thanks in advance.

Secondly, in my search for information in this forum I have noticed a lot of people having carburetor issues and I also was scratching my head with my carburetor. Had to squirt fuel in the carb to get it started then it would just quit. So here is what I did in hopes that it might help somebody else out there...My carburetor has a fixed high speed nozzle, unlike earlier models (to my knowledge). In the lower half of the carburetor there is a passageway which has a jet screwed in....way way in. It is hard to see even with a flashlight and I missed seeing it several times during troubleshooting. So anyway, take a small screwdriver and remove the jet. Mine was plugged up and preventing fuel from getting to the discharge nozzle in the throat of the carburetor. Cleaned it up, reinstalled and the motor fired right up.

Hope this helps somebody out there cause there is absolutely no mention of this jet anywhere on the internet.

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: 1964 5 1/2 Johnson

Sounds like you found the problem, a common problem. I would say it's a good motor just by the fact that it's still running.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: 1964 5 1/2 Johnson

I don't consider myself an old guy since that motor is 10 years older than me, but I can tell you that its a great little motor. Very smooth and reliable.

Have you tried it on a boat, yet? The coils of that era are notoriously bad. You need to check and make sure yours have been changed. Even if they spark well on shore they will fail on the water. You also need to replace the impeller. They should be changed every 1-5 years depending on who you talk to and the conditions in which you run the motor. The following website is a great resource for servicing those little Johnnyrudes.

http://www.outboard-boat-motor-repair.com/

 

[F_R]

Re: 1964 5 1/2 Johnson

I have mentioned that orfice plug here so many times I sound like a broken record. But if a '64 Johnson is old to you, you don't know what a broken record is either, do you? I got married in 1964. And I was "old" for a newly-wed.

 

[LR28]

Re: 1964 5 1/2 Johnson

Sorry for missing your info on that F R. And to answer the other questions, no I have not had it on the boat yet, will replace the coils and impeller this winter, sorry if I made it sound like you guys were old.

I ran this motor for a while lastnight in the tank and I am amazed at how smooth it does run. It'll idle down to just about where you can count each cylinder firing and runs just as good at the other end of the throttle. Will have it out on the water tomorrow in my 12' sears aluminum. I'm anxious to see how it does as I've only been going down the river lately with a 50lb. thrust minnkota electric. I'm sure it'll be the difference between night and day.

 

[Hoss the Hermit]

Re: 1964 5 1/2 Johnson

Sorry for missing your info on that F R. And to answer the other questions, no I have not had it on the boat yet, will replace the coils and impeller this winter, sorry if I made it sound like you guys were old.

I ran this motor for a while lastnight in the tank and I am amazed at how smooth it does run. It'll idle down to just about where you can count each cylinder firing and runs just as good at the other end of the throttle. Will have it out on the water tomorrow in my 12' sears aluminum. I'm anxious to see how it does as I've only been going down the river lately with a 50lb. thrust minnkota electric. I'm sure it'll be the difference between night and day.

IMHO, if you plan to replace the impeller and coils this winter after you run it all summer, you should plan on a bunch of paddling and a lot more parts to replace. At least do the impeller now, might save a major overheat, wait on the coils if ya like to paddle.

 

[Shizzy]

Re: 1964 5 1/2 Johnson

LR28, you are speaking of the high speed orfice correct? Also would the engine stay running if you increased the throttle off Idle? Im having issues with my 65 6HP and havent yet yanked the carb to check things out. Mine only starts if you turn the throttle past "start" and wont idle

 

[jimmbo]

Re: 1964 5 1/2 Johnson

My dad had one during the mid 70s. It was originally a kicker for his boat, but my brother and I would "borrow" it to use on a 12 ft car topper which we also "borrowed" from next door. That little motor took a lot of abuse. Lost all the oil in the gearcase, ran it several days with funny noises. Put it underwater several times. My brother overheated bad enough that the paint on the head turned brown, and it never died. One tough little motor, it earned its keep bringing the big boat home every time the big motor quit, usually across the lake 12 miles away.

 

[LR28]

Re: 1964 5 1/2 Johnson

Shizzy, that is correct...the high speed orifice. and no, it would just plain old not run. If you've got spark then it's a fuel problem. Would definitely do a carb rebuild kit and don't make the same mistake that I did by going through Napa, theirs doesn't include the float. I got the kit with float from a local Johnson/Evinrude dealer for like $29.

Got this motor on the river today to try it out and I could not be more pleased. Only problem is that it won't stay up when I unlock it and tilt it up. Does anyone know if this is the design? I can make a latch but just curious.

Another question for you guys, how much difference is noticable between a 4, 5, or 6 horsepower motor? Oh yeah, almost forgot...the wife caught more fish in the first 10 minutes of fishing than I caught all day....same bait too.

 

[OptsyEagle]

Re: 1964 5 1/2 Johnson

I have a 1961 5 1/2 Hp Johnson. In the release position, I just tilt it up and it stays that way. No locking or anything required. When I want it back in the water, I just push it back down. I am not sure if this is how it is supposed to work but that is how I use mine.

I always run it in the release position all the time, with the idea that if I hit a rock or log, that it must be easier on the lower unit if it is not locked down. The only thing I need to be careful about doing this is when I am in reverse, but I never open her up in reverse anyways, so this method works well for me.

 

[jimmbo]

Re: 1964 5 1/2 Johnson

Just tighten the nut on the bolt at the tilt pivot point. Loosen one of the transom clamps first though and don't forget to retighten after you adjust the tilt friction.

I don't know anything about the 4hp or 5hp, if they the same displacement as the 5.5 or not? The 6hp was introduced in 65 and was the same displacement, but was rated at 500rpm higher than the 5.5. How they got the extra revs? Perhaps different carb, manifold, cylinder head, even different block.

 

[gotmud2112]

Re: 1964 5 1/2 Johnson

I'm new to this and i'm curious to know what a impeller and the coils are. i figure i probably need to replace them because i just got the motor from my grandmothers house where the motor sat in a shed for 30+ years. me and my friend cleaned the carb and spark plugs and the motor started right up.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: 1964 5 1/2 Johnson

GotMud,

Welcome to iboats!

That said, ...a couple of suggestions.

Open a new post , jumping in on another's thread is called hijacking and frowned upon.

Read this thread:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158086

The coils are parts of the motors ignition system. The impeller is a part in the water pump that cools the motor. In your case, do not run your motor again without replacing the water pump impeller. If the 'arms' of the pump fly apart, the pieces can be washed up into the powerhead, blocking the water flow and overheating is the result. Your coils will more than likely need to be replaced.

Find an OEM service manual for your motor. All aspects of service and maintenance are covered within. Feel free to come back here to the forum if you have any questions.

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: 1964 5 1/2 Johnson

I see Xcusme beat me by a few minutes but Welcome to iBoats, gotmud. The impeller is a rubber spoked part that pumps cooling water through the engine block. It's located in the lower unit below the water line. To say the least, a critical part to the continued use of the motor. The coils are ignition coils used to generate spark. I don't know what engine you have but many old outboards have the coils under the flywheel with the points and condensor.
If your engine has been sitting for 30 years then it's past due for an impeller replacement since rubber rots with age. The coils may or may not need replacing, depending if they've deteriorated. The plastic casing can crack, again a result of deterioration over time.
There's compulsory reading for you before you go on the water with this revived motor to ensure you're not stranded. Check out the FAQ's for this and other informative posts.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158086

 

[gotmud2112]

Re: 1964 5 1/2 Johnson

OK i will start a new post. Sorry about that. but that is some great information thank you for the quick replies! This seems to be a great site

 

[jholeskibum]

Re: 1964 5 1/2 Johnson

I have mentioned that orfice plug here so many times I sound like a broken record. But if a '64 Johnson is old to you, you don't know what a broken record is either, do you? I got married in 1964. And I was "old" for a newly-wed.

I'm new around here and was wondering about this same motor (1964 Johnson Seahorse 5.5hp CD-21A) with which i am experiencing problems. I just did a carb rebuild w/ new float and rebuilt the ignition system. When i got the flywheel off it seems that the coils had already been replaced a few years back and they looked great, so I didn't change them. I also did a new impeller and changed the lower unit oil and added grease into all of the grease injection points. It starts but doesn't want to run smoothly at either full throttle or low. I can keep it running at mid throttle (runs at much lower rpm than it should for this throttle) for a while but will cut out.

My main question is should this high speed orifice plug be fully seated or backed out for adjustment like a needle? Is there anything else I could be missing?

Edit: Pulling the air filter back a bit with a finger smooths and speeds things at mid throttle, but still trouble with idle and high throttle. Filter will have to be replaced, but I'm not sure this is the culprit.

 

[sprogg&fin]

Re: 1964 5 1/2 Johnson

is that screw in the float bowl part of the carb? , I am having the same isues. or is it in the bottom part in the throat of carb. thank you in advance