1st start in 4 years

[mwreynolds]

I have an early to mid /50's johnson seahorse 5.5 hp o/b/ motor. It was rebuilt 4 years ago then put up. My father-in-law just gave me the boat and motor, and I am trying to get everything together so I can go fishing for the first time from a boat. He checked it the other day and said it still pulled easy and was not locked up. What I need to know is what all I should go over before starting for the first time. Any and all information would be a huge help. I have been reading other topics posted and from what I can tell you all are some real top notch people with more experience than any book could ever hope to give. Thanks again for your help.

 

[JB]

Re: 1st start in 4 years

Howdy, MW.<br /><br />Pull the spark plugs and squirt a bit of oil into each cylinder. Pull the engine through a few times. Reinstall the spark plugs.<br /><br />Fill your tank with 1 quart of TC-W3 outboard oil and top it off with 87 octane gas. That is the 24:1 mix your engine calls for if it is pre-1964. We need your model number to confirm that. It should be CD-nn. n=digit. nn lower than 21 fits the 24:1 mix. If nn=>21 it will need a 50:1 mix (a pint of oil instead of a quart).<br /><br />Put the lower end in water (trash can works well), hook up the tank and pump the primer on the top of the tank. Put it in Neutral.<br /><br />Pull the choke out. Giver her a pull.<br /><br />If she starts move the choke to about half. . .to keep her running. Check the exhaust outlets for a spray of water. No water? Shut it down immediately and replace the water pump impeller.<br /><br />If she doesn't start go to the Engine FAQs and the "Outboard wont start" article.<br /><br />Let us know what you find, and good luck.