54 3hp johnson

[77monzaspyder]

Newbie here, but I've been looking thru the forums (and going cross eyed) looking for info on my first motor. From what I've gleaned from the forums it's a 1952-54 3hp johnson sea horse ( I believe it's a 54 due to the 999xxxx serial number) I've got a few questions to ask:

1: Would this motor push my 52 starcraft 14ft v hull decently?
2: Where can I find parts for this critter?
3: Any words of wisdom for a guy who's never put a wrench to a boat motor? I've built car engines, but dunno if a lot of that will cross over

Any and all help will be appreciated by me and anyone else who wants to terrorize todays waters with yesterdays equipment

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 54 3hp johnson

Well, posting a model number, versus a serial number would be a good idea. What would even be better, is if you posted a picture of it.

Those are great little motors. I happen to own a couple that size.

Would it push a 14' v-hull? Well, maybe at half the speed of smell. A 15hp - 20hp would be more suitable for a boat that size, but the little JW would be a good troller.

Where can you find parts for that critter? Well, you can find the regular consumable items here at iboats or your local dealer, such as water pump impellers, tune up kits, coils and carb kits. Anything else, I would go with Sea-Way Marine.

As far as wrenching on them, these are as simple as rebuilding the carburetors of your 350 Chevy's. OMC built a very simple engine for the average boater/mechanic to work on.

Points set at .02
Plugs are J6C and gap at .030
Fuel mix is 16:1 (1/2 pint per gallon)
and lower unit oil is Standard His Viscosity Gear Oil.

 

[bbstacker1]

Re: 54 3hp johnson

You've come to the right place looking for info, lots of members on here that are very knowledgeable and more than willing to share that knowledge, Zephyr being one. You have a great little motor to start with, very basic and easy to work on. Just be careful they (the older Johnson/Evinrude's) are addicting. Oh and by the way welcome aboard. Bob

 

[F_R]

Re: 54 3hp johnson

Would it push a 14' v-hull? Well, maybe at half the speed of smell. .

Love it!!! An accurate description.

 

[lindy46]

Re: 54 3hp johnson

I've had my '53-54 Lightwin (basically the same motor) on a 14' V-hull, and it will troll nicely in calm water. It isn't going to get you anywhere fast. And if it gets rough and windy, you'll have difficulty controlling the boat.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 54 3hp johnson

They are addicting?? Nahhhhh! Not at all.

 

[77monzaspyder]

Re: 54 3hp johnson

Thank you, one & all, for your kind words. Zepher, When I got this boat, all it came with was an OLD Jetco 2 speed trolling motor & a trailer that lasted almost the whole summer. Lots of fun for fishing & photography, but speed is not an issue for the waters I fish (murky, alligator infested, stumpy creeks!) I have been using a 44lb Motorguide transom mount when I redid the trim & transom, which would get this tin can on plane. Bad thing about that was the number of batteries I had to bring along! I found this lil gem at a pawn shop down here, and figured it would match the boat nicely. Here's the pic of the motor, which is a JW-10, & a pic of the boat. I'll be asking for more info & encouragement from ya'll. Thanks!

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 54 3hp johnson

JW-10? Awesome. It looks just like old JW-13, but Sea Mist Green, versus the Holiday Bronze. You may want to get something a little bigger to put next to it, incase you need to out run one of those gators Or keep your .44 handy. LOL
Properly tuned, that would be a sweet running little motor though. I just replaced the coils in mine and they both run sweet.

 

[77monzaspyder]

Re: 54 3hp johnson

Back again, Sorry I've been away. Found the tune up & carb kit round here for $89. I'm about to embark on the tune up & carb rebuild tomorrow.


Wish me luck!

 

[bbstacker1]

Re: 54 3hp johnson

Just take your time and things will work out fine. Might also take some pic's of things before you take it apart and as you go along, never can tell when you might get called away from your work for a while and forget where something went.

 

[F_R]

Re: 54 3hp johnson

Johnson Serial Numbers:
1952- 920,480 - 980,883
1953- 980,884 - 1,079,711
1954- 1,079,712 - 1,194,192

 

[77monzaspyder]

Re: 54 3hp johnson

Thanks F_R for the serial number breakdown, that puts my motor at 1953. extracting points/condensor, & coils now w/ pics to come!

Wish me luck!

 

[77monzaspyder]

Re: 54 3hp johnson

just got through with the ignition tune up! Healthy blue sparks from both plugs! But, alas, it is late, & the carb rebuild will have to wait til after a few hours of sleep & a few hours of work. Thanks to one & all for assisting me in this adventure!

pics will be forthcoming, just as soon as I can see straight again!

 

[77monzaspyder]

Re: 54 3hp johnson

Back again! Carb rebuilt, but no fuel is getting to my carb. Took off the petcock and fitting, & saw a brass stick style filter? It's gummed up, I've got it sitting in carb cleaner, trying to get it to flow again. Anything else I can do to clear this obstruction?

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 54 3hp johnson

LOL, I just added a '55 JW to my collection, so now we have matching motors.

You're on the right track cleaning out the fuel filter. The biggest thing is cleaning things out, so fuel will flow freely to the carb.

 

[77monzaspyder]

Re: 54 3hp johnson

it's been marinating now for over an hour now in a carb cleaner vinaigrette, so here's to hoping this will be the last thing I need to get to motoring! I'm gonna leave it in the cleaner til I get home tomorrow afternoon. Good luck with your JW-11!

 

[77monzaspyder]

Re: 54 3hp johnson

Still clogged up..... Any method of taking this blasted thing out?

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 54 3hp johnson

You can actually unsolder the sintered metal filter from the rest of the valve with a torch. Hopefully far away from the gas fumes.
You can then solder in a fine screen (from a clothes washer supply line filter). I have had OK luck unclogging the original ones (and gasoline lanterns...) using 100% denatured alcohol from Home depot.

 

[77monzaspyder]

Re: 54 3hp johnson

Thanks for the info, tx1951Whaler. By utilizing a touch of MAPP gas & a vice, I got the sintered metal filter off & new filter on. It's running rough while I'm tuning the carb. But, just my luck, the recoil mechanism just gave up........ About to check out the recoil, then get back to tuning. Any advice?

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 54 3hp johnson

Heck, I would take the filter assembly out and soak it in Chem-Dip over night. That should eat away the shellaque that's causing the issue. You may also need to take apart the fuel shut off petcock and make sure there is no build up in there clogging it up. It happens all the time. I have actually had to run a drill bit up indide of that little shut of valve to clean it out.

Yea, I've had my little JW-11 running since I brought it home. It sure is a smoothe runner, despite the bad coils. and crud in the fuel system. New coils and carb kit will do wonders to it.