'57 Fleetwin

[klicknative]

I have a '57 Fleetwin and I have a couple of questions. The motor has been idle for years so a carb O/H and new impeller are needed. I was going to convert to a fuel pump but I found a pressure tank so if the tank is solid I'll use it. It turns over with no binding and the compresson feels good so it appears to be sound. About the only thing I've done is check for spark with my Briggs and Stratton tester and both holes are dead. I've read here on iboats that these older Johnnyrudes are known for bad coils. Is it worth my time to test them with the ohm meter or just order 2 new coils?

Overall this motor looks good with no dings in the prop or skeg. It's complete except the knobs are missing from the jets. I figure to spend about $150.00 to get it running using mostly Sierea parts. About how much will it be worth in running condtion?

I have a Seloc manual and know it needs 24:1 mix because it has plain rod and main bearings. Anything else I need to know about the old girl?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: '57 Fleetwin

I've seen that era models going for $3-400 here in the twin cities area, with a good functional pressure tank.

If you have no spark at all, you probably will need new coils. If they're the originalls, it's almost certain. Fortunately, they're not all that expensive. The carb may need rebuilding, but it also may not. If it was put away with the carb empty, you may just get away with it. If it does need a rebuild, though, try to find the carb kit with the new float...not the old cork float. You may have to hunt around a bit to find one, though.

A new impeller will be needed, for sure.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: '57 Fleetwin

Hi KN,
Before ordering the coils, take a look. There is a small cover on top of the flywheel (remove the recoil - three screws, nothing's going to jump out at you). Remove that cover and you'll see the magneto parts. If the coils are chalky looking or cracked, then go ahead and replace them. If they are a dark maroon plastic or some other clean/new looking color, then they have been replaced some time in the last 30 years or so and they should be fine. If the coils LOOK good, then chances are they are good. Then you might just need to clean and gap the points to get fire.

In good, clean (no corrosion, good paint, good decals), running condition, with the original tank, that motor might bring $300-$400. Would probably be worth less to a collector than as a service motor as they are fairly common. Very good runners - my 12-year old runs a '55 Fleetwin...

- Scott

 

[wbeaton]

Re: '57 Fleetwin

You are looking at about $100 for 2 new coils, points/condensers, carb kit with float and impeller. Float is easy to come by for these motors. The OMC carb kit comes with one, while I think its a separate order from Sierra. That motor would have to be in beautiful original or restored condition to get $300-400 US where I am. I think Peter Hunn's price guide puts it at $200 for one in good original condition.

 

[55'Fleetwin7.5]

Re: '57 Fleetwin

Don't overlook the ignition wires.... They sometimes can get corroded right at the point where they are inserted into the coils... This may be difficult to see through the inspection hole in the flywheel... Might be worth pulling it to be sure... That requires some procedures that have been covered in this forum... If I can help just send a PM with your email address or such

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: '57 Fleetwin

all parts are available at laingsoutboards.com and shipping is really cheap. i did my 58 35 for around $150. cab kit, float, all the flywheel guts with wires, & impeller.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: '57 Fleetwin

Here in Minnesota, those 7.5s are workhorses, and have a high reputation. Accordingly, the price for them is higher than it might be in some other areas. To get $3-400 for one, it just has to look decent and run perfectly. These are not collector motors here, but grace the transoms of countless 12' aluminum boats on local lakes.

It's frustrating, because that's just what I'm looking for for my 12' aluminum boat. I even have a pressure tank all rebuilt and waiting for one. I just don't want to spend that much, so I'm looking for one that needs some work. I have a set of coils and points I bought for another vintage engine on hand, so I'm ready to go, except for a carb kit, which is no biggie.

Prices vary by region, partly based on how older engines are being used. Around here, they're just another outboard, and a desirable one, at that.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: '57 Fleetwin

CAT,

Too bad you are so far away. I have 1956 completely redone mechanically I'm trying to sell for $150 or trade.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: '57 Fleetwin

I know. And shipping costs for outboards are outrageous. I keep seeing what I want on eBay, but the shipping puts it right up into the price I can get one for here.

Again, it's all about the area. Around here Fleetwins are golden. In California, they're worthless. But I'm here.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: '57 Fleetwin

I understand. I live 2 hours from OMC's former Peterborough plant in the heart of the Kawartha Lakes. These motors are literally everywhere. Good for a collector of 1950's OMC like me, but poor for resale.

 

[klicknative]

Re: '57 Fleetwin

I figured you guys would sit up and take notice when I started this thread. I've had the starter off to make shure my puller will work on the flywheel (it will) but I didn't open the inspection cover. I can get coils locally for $22.17ea and I figured them in the $150.00 parts cost estimate. By the looks of things I'm going to say they probably are original. This motor is literally "barn fresh", the guy who gave it to me was going to toss it if I didn't want it. It says Evinrude on it, no way could I say no. I think a carb O/H is a given but I'll decide if I'll replace the float when I get into it. I'm running a cork float on my '69 Lark with no problems. I've put wrenches on everything from weedeaters to a 3406 ATAAC Cat truck engine so this ain't my first rodeo.

I plan to sell it down the road sometime and $300.00 sounds about right to me. I want a 5 to 10 HP Johnyrude about the same age as my lark for a kicker on my '63 Fiberform. There is a decent looking 12' aluminum boat on a realy ugly trailer for sale here in town but I don't think it's worth $500.00. It shure would match up nice with this ol' Fleetwin however. BTW, I'm in Goldendale, WA about 100 miles up the mighty Columbia River from Portland OR.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: '57 Fleetwin

I used to change my floats, but now if the cork float still looks good I just let it dry out for a few days, dip it in varnish and put it back in service. They are easy to change if you have to down the road plus I always have a can of varnish around so its cheaper to just re-coat it.

 

[cpw]

Re: '57 Fleetwin

I used to change my floats, but now if the cork float still looks good I just let it dry out for a few days, dip it in varnish and put it back in service. They are easy to change if you have to down the road plus I always have a can of varnish around so its cheaper to just re-coat it.

Yeah, I gave up trying to look at floats in my Harley Panhead. The old cork ones just looked like they were gas-logged but I got tired of the brass ones always leaking. Turned out the ugliest cork ones seemed to float best. Go figure.
CPW

 

[CATransplant]

Re: '57 Fleetwin

I understand. I live 2 hours from OMC's former Peterborough plant in the heart of the Kawartha Lakes. These motors are literally everywhere. Good for a collector of 1950's OMC like me, but poor for resale.

Sounds like an enterprising sort of fellow could come up there, snatch them up, then bring them back down here and make a profit. The only thing that might get in the way would be customs duties entering the USA.

It's not worth it, though, I think.

 

[klicknative]

Re: '57 Fleetwin

A couple of quick updates before I go out the door... My Sierra parts book does not show a float for this motor, just a carb kit. Does anybody know of another aftermarket sorce for it or will I have to try Sea-Way in Seattle if it needs a new one? Second, I stoped and looked at the 12 footer again last night. (All you guy's falt BTW) Pretty rough but not a lost cause. Nothing on it to ID it, emblems are gone and I didn't find a tag. Needs the wood on the seats and transom worked over. I guess the trailer is not that ugly, looks home built and not a bad job. Just looks odd with the little boat and 215/75/R15 rubber. Should be good for getting into a rough spot however.

 

[F_R]

Re: '57 Fleetwin

If you buy a OEM carb kit, it will come with a new float. Dealer item (or sea way)

 

[klicknative]

Re: '57 Fleetwin

Ok, another queston has come up, My motor has NGK B6S plugs. They cross to Champion J8J's. The decal inside the cowl says J6J witch are NLA. The Champion catologe calls for J8J while a lot of guys here say J4J. I'm leaning to the hotter plugs to light 24:1 mix. Does anybody make a plug that crosses directly to a J6J? So J4J? J8J? trying to avoid FUBAR1.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: '57 Fleetwin

The spark plug chart I just posted is from my OMC dealer and it says J6C for the '57 7.5hp.

 

[klicknative]

Re: '57 Fleetwin

OOPS! The suffix on all those above plug #'s should be "C" not "J".

 

[F_R]

Re: '57 Fleetwin

As far as I know, J6C is still available. J8 is too hot. Just another example of plug charts specifying whatever fits the hole.