35 Hp Johnson Sea Horse outboard

[hdck]

I have an old boat that was actually given to me from a guy I worked with for a while. It has on it a 35 Hp Johnson Sea Horse outboard. He said the year was 1959, have tinkered with it a bit with the general engine knowledge that I have and was able to get it running fairly quickly (cleaned out the sediment bowl, blew some air through some gas lines and jumped the starter directly) Now that I have it to the point where it will start, I want to be able to run it so I can let it warm up and smooth out. What is the best way to run it on land and keep the engine cool? Also is there a way I can look up the serial number and determine the year for sure? Thanks for any help!

 

[Laddies]

Re: 35 Hp Johnson Sea Horse outboard

The simplest way would be to put it in a garbage can There should be a plate near the tilt mechinism with a model, it will start with RD-XX

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 35 Hp Johnson Sea Horse outboard

That's a fine old outboard you have there hdck!<br />Since it's a runner and you're clearly handy enough, I strongly suggest you start by investing in a service manual:<br />TheOutboardWizard<br />Mastertech<br />Marine Engine<br />Ken Cook <br />You're going to need to know the year for those. Post your model # here and we can tell you. There are a couple *very* different 35hp engines (those with a midsection cover and those without) and it's really important you have the right manual.<br /><br />If you ran that engine without water already, you're going to need to service the water pump because you likely burnt up the old one. No big deal, you really want to replace it every couple years anyway. <br />You can use a special set of muffs on this engine to provide cooling water from a hose. They fit on the water inlet directly behind the prop on the exhaust fin. Iboats carries them:<br />Tempo 917TFA fits your engine, click here.<br />Otherwise, you can just fill up a barrel of water to the joint between the lower unit and midsection and test in that. It can be better because you can set idle and mixture in it since you have exhaust backpressure.<br /><br />Tell us what you've got!

 

[hdck]

Re: 35 Hp Johnson Sea Horse outboard

I just got home from work (working the swing shift) and with the little light from an almost dead flashlight I made out the model number to be: RDE 19 M<br />Thanks for the quick answers. This is a great site.<br />Also I think it is pretty clear that I am pretty new to boating, and very new to restoring an old beauty, but from the look and how well the old motor has operated makes me think that it will run well for a long time. The motor layed in the boat over the winter without any weather protection and still with very little work started. I am impressed and happy with my boat! Thanks again

 

[JB]

Re: 35 Hp Johnson Sea Horse outboard

RDE-19 is a 1957 electric start, hdck.<br /><br />Your fuel mix should be 24:1.<br /><br />Plugs should be Champion J4C for high speed operation, J6C for low speed and idling. Gap either at .030".<br /><br />Set points at .020" max opening.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[rwcreigh1]

Re: 35 Hp Johnson Sea Horse outboard

go ahead replace the water pump if you dont know when it was done.thermastat too!