Barn Find; 1956 Johnson CD-13 5.5hp

MarvK

Seaman
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
59
(Well, really it was a garage find)

So, my wife and I are coming back to our cottage, and the widow a few doors down is having her kids help her clean out the garage. We stopped and said hello.

She says, "We're cleaning out the garage and taking everything to the dump. Do you want anything?"

I said, "Sure, do you still have that old boat motor cart with wheels on it? I could use it to wheel my 7.5hp down to the water."

"I think so, come in and look."

I went into the garage and found the cart, and then I saw it. A 1956 5.5hp CD-13A sitting on a homemade stand up against the wall. The little brother to my 7.5hp AD-10 I got just a few weeks ago, same year!

"What are you going to do that motor?"

"Well, we're going to take it to the dump. No one wanted it. It probably hasn't run in 40 years."

I said "No you're not! I'll take it, and see if I can get it running again."

So, now I have 4 motors. 2 that are running, and 2 that are going to run again. It's a bit rough looking, has a broken shift lever that's been welded back together, and also the cowl mount has been welded back on. I assume it fell over at some point as they are on the same side. The clamp on one side of the hood is missing too.

So, 1 motor, 1 stand, and 1 cart, for free!!!!!!!! :D

Marv

Here's a few pics;
 

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CaneCutter79

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 24, 2009
Messages
454
Re: Barn Find; 1956 Johnson CD-13 5.5hp

One of these days, I'm going to buy me one of these little jewels. They're just so cool looking. Excellent design (appearance-wise) and the folk-lore of finding them just as you did........it's just awesome. Someone once loved that old motor and use it for fishing/etc. years ago. Lots of history with these old motors and salvaging it to working order is just awesome!

Excellent find!!! Good luck!!


(oh and I'm uber-jealous)
 

MarvK

Seaman
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
59
Re: Barn Find; 1956 Johnson CD-13 5.5hp

I couldn't resist. Checked for, and had a decent spark on both plugs. Compression seemed good. Checked for oil in the LU, so I threw it on the back of the boat.

After about 2 dozen pulls, and ready to give up, it FIRED UP after 40 yrs!!!! It still was pumping water! I ran it around for about 10 min and it started losing power. Definitely starving for fuel. I expected on rebuilding the carb, but I didn't expect it to run without doing that first. Amazing! :joyous:

Got some work to do on it this week. Hope to get back on the water in the next week or two.

Marv
 

HighTrim

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 21, 2007
Messages
10,486
Re: Barn Find; 1956 Johnson CD-13 5.5hp

Great find. Pop the flywheel and inspect the ignition. If it has truly been sitting 40 years, the coils are original and will be cracked/NFG. Rebuild the carb, and install new fuel lines/connectors. The original rubber will not be ethanol proof and will be dry rotted.
 

MarvK

Seaman
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
59
Re: Barn Find; 1956 Johnson CD-13 5.5hp

Yes, you are probably right about the coils. I remember reading here about when the original cracked coils get hot, they short out. That's probably what it is. Seemed to lose power under load. In idle, I could rev up much higher RPM's.

Agree about the fuel lines too. Something else to add to the shopping list, along with a new impeller.

I'm still geeked!

Thanks,
Marv
 
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nwcove

Admiral
Joined
May 16, 2011
Messages
6,293
Re: Barn Find; 1956 Johnson CD-13 5.5hp

very nice find...at a very good price!! :happy:. tune it up, and enjoy it for many years!
 

DAN M VAGOS

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 11, 2008
Messages
363
Re: Barn Find; 1956 Johnson CD-13 5.5hp

I love barn finds :joyous:
 

MarvK

Seaman
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
59
Re: Barn Find; 1956 Johnson CD-13 5.5hp

Just spent the last 2 evenings replacing the ignition system and rebuilt the carb. Carb rebuild went well. I took my time and it wasn't in as bad shape as I thought it would be. Soaked it in a carb dip for about 20-30 minuets and it came out squeaky clean.

The ignition system wasn't to bad either. I did however use the procedure used in Tom's site setting the timing with an ohm meter and using the timing marks without much success; http://www.outboard-boat-motor-repair.com/Johnson/Evinrude%20Johnson%205.5%20HP%201954-1964%20Tune-Up%20Procedure.htm
Unless I did it wrong, it didn't run very well in the barrel tonight. Ran very rough, high speed and idle speed. I ended up just setting it back to .020 with a feeler gauge and it purrs in the barrel now. :joyous: Will take it out on the water this weekend to do the final carb adjustments.

As the impeller is pumping out plenty of water, I held off on replacing it just yet. I didn't think I could get it back together before leaving for the weekend. This one seems a little intimidating. I know I need to do it soon though. I had it running for about 30 minutes tonight and I could still put my hand on the head and it was only warm to the touch.

Marv
 
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