5 1/2 HP 1956 Johnson Seahorse Good Buy?

[Squirrel42]

I found a 1956 Johnson seahorse with the original pressured tank. The guy wanted $250 but i talked him down to $150
has not run in a while but has great compression and comes with the tank. Low hours and only two owners.

I'm already going to pick it up, bad idea anyone?.
Good or bad price?
I figured the pressure tank alone was worh $80 to $100
and in plan to sell it anyway.

 

[jimmbo]

I guess it was worth a $150 to you. What condition is it all in? Post a picture or two. I am curious about a motor that is 60 years old?

 

[Squirrel42]

No Title

 

[jbcurt00]

I have the same vintage Evinrude 5.5hp. Great little motor.... Mine came running with a 14ft aluminum boat, trailer and tank for $325.

IMO you did fine if the motor can be made to run w regular maintenance items, but the tank isnt worth $100 unless it holds pressure, isnt rusted too badly and doesnt leak. You can get like new re-furb'd pressure tanks for 175 on ebay IIRC, maybe a little more.

Some guys I know seem to fall into great looking and running motors for peanuts, usually for under a 100 but most of the time, w in 3hrs or less from me, outboards run high it seems

 

[jimmbo]

Nice looking little motor. Check for oil in the gear case, put her in a tank and see if she runs. If she does then decide if you want to put a few into a new water pump and if needed a gear case reseal.

In the mid 70s to early 90s my dad had a 1964 version of that engine. It went to hell and back, ran with no oil in the gear case, overheated it several times, submerged it at WOT when the 10ft car topper rolled over. The only time it went to the shop was to get new gear case internals. I don't know whatever happened to it . I think my dads widow scrapped it.

 

[Squirrel42]

He's dad was the original owner, it's got less than 100hours on it, No dents and original non dented prop.
It was taking very good care of i am told, I was just wondering what it's value was, I think $150 seems fair for it. Guy seems to think just a little gas and she will go.
Wont know until tomorrow.

I just wanted it as a kicker engine with my 15hp or my 35hp for long river trips and camping out.
got no problem resealing the gear case, I learned a lot about that doing my 35hp gear case.

I hear pressure tanks are rare and people getting $80 to $100 for a good one. If it's in good shape i could just be $70 in the hole.
I plan to change the engine to a single line fuel system.

 

[82rude]

Great little motors .Had the same one but in green.My pressure tank looks like it just come off the assembly line.Since you have already done a 35 I wont list the parts I would look at replacing if they already havnt been.

 

[Crosbyman]

My own experience with the 5.5 has been nothing but great fun and satisfaction. picked my up for less than $100 via friend who picked it up for me.

coils were shot which is a great feeling because you know the engine wasn't used that much. you will find everything to know in the book "Cheap outboards" ...

As always , if it was run the old quart of SAE30 to 5 gal. it is probably safe to say the innards are fine to start new career.

my faithful 5.5 ran along side my 2005 ETEC 75...two brothers "50 years" apart and what a great pair they made protecting me from any failures of the complex electronics of modern engines.

Purist will tell you to run the dual hose tank. I did the behind the carb mod buy plugging one air channel and removing the check valve. I used the air pressure nipple as a pulse source . This is necessary on the 5.5 since it has no bypass covers. The "Cheap outboard" book will guide you as well a great UTUBE film on modifying this engine.

take the time to engine the revival by doing the usuals.... impeller, points, condenser, and...gearcase rebuild which is not hard to do if you just go for the prop shaft seals and spaghetti seal , run the engine and recheck the oil occasionnally for water infiltration.

you need to pull the head to do the impeller... not a big deal either but do get base gaskets and carbon seal for the drive draft ... the book and utube says it all

if you choose not to open the cyl head to inspect water passages and remove any carbon buid-up do run a good decarb , check for overheating . I ran mine with a few tanks and XD-100 (no smoke, no smell, and cleans the engine). purrs like a kitten all day trolling but a bit thirsty compared to my 75 ETEC which burn about 2.5 cups (0.6L/hour) at 650rpm

the 5.5 sat nicely on my transom next to the 75 . the V shape rear end allowed the 18inch short shaft 5.5 to run perfectly with the cavitation plate below the water

my hobby got me to migrate to another excellent vintage... the 7.5 (bigger brother of the 5.5.) and now a pristine looking 9.5 I picked for $50


have fun rejunivating your 5.5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVOedhzPP7M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA0u62hciwY

http://boatinfo.no/lib/johnson/manua...ohnson.html#/0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY2HrEdp5vg

 

[Crosbyman]

No Title

pics of pump on a5.5

 

[Crosbyman]

sorry post #8 lost a few words....fat fingers and funny wireless keyboard acting up with the INSERT function

wireless keyboards run at 2.4g and so does the main CPU RF interference can be reduced by mounting the plug-in USB radio receiver clip on a USB extension cable away from the PC's main body

 

[1946Zephyr]

Awesome motors. I still own two of them. Run it at 16:1 and it will last for many years to come.

 

[Squirrel42]

Appears I'm only able to get about 75psi of Compression.. Is there and release valve on the 5.5?
Is this a normal compression for such a small engine?

Spark is great, and Gear oil runs like honey, no water!

 

[Squirrel42]

No Title

 

[iggyw1]

Appears to be in nice condition. Did you get her started yet? Keep us posted so we know how she runs for you.

 

[iggyw1]

Awesome motors. I still own two of them. Run it at 16:1 and it will last for many years to come.

Just wondering: Isn't 16:1 gas/oil ratio a bit much on the oil? The motor calls for a 24:1 ratio I believe. 16:1 seems really heavy on the oil, but I may be wrong. Also, a motor mechanic told me with today's additives in the marine oils nowadays compared to "back then" we can get away with 50:1 in motors that called for 25:1 with no worries or concerns of any kind. What are your thoughts on that? I recently had a 1962 Rude that called for 25:1 and I went with 50:1 Evinrude oil and I had no problems.

 

[racerone]

No----These motors do not have roller bearings and at 16:1 or 24:1 they will live a happy life.---And 50:1 will reduce their life.---Once again here is proof that many folks do not understand 2 stroke oil mixing and how it works on the bearings.

 

[Crosbyman]

75 compression is fine IMHO ...more would be better but my 5.5 run very nicely with 75 . veggie oil like xd-100 will pamper the innards to !
if you need smoke for the bugs 30 grade oil will do nicely :lol:


BTW that felt oiler looks like it is about to let go

 

[jimmbo]

The ratio the engine needs should be stated on the engine, either on a decal on the cowl, or an a plate between the clamps. XD-100, which is Synthetic not veggie based, at 16: or even 24:1 is wasting a lot of money. Just use a good TCW-3 oil, like XD-30 or one of Mercury's oil and you be fine. Do not use a SAE 30 grade oil, it most likely would be an automotive oil which are formulated not to mix well with gasoline and utilize detergents which will foul spark plugs and exhaust ports

 

[HighTrim]

Ask you mechanic friend that told you 50:1 was ok if he would warranty the powerhead Doubt he will.

Do NOT listen to these people. They have no idea what they are talking about. That motor NEEDS the 16:1 to run properly. It will actually run better, as it need the oil to A: lubricate, and B: seal.

I am a huge fan of the XD series of oils. No Im not a Johnson dealer. They smoke very little, have very little smell to them, and seem to prevent carbon build up inside the powerhead. I use the XD 30 on my motors.

 

[lindy46]

Wow - that magneto pic looks just like the one from your 35hp Lark!!!