Head Gasket 5.5HP 1959 Johnson Seahorse

[kmk89]

I have 1959 5.5HP Johnson Seahorse. It has not been pumping water and I recently replaced the impeller, so I took off the head gasket/case and found a piece of gunk inside where the water passes by the cylinders. I removed it and put it back together but have not tested it yet because of the weather. I sealed the head gasket during maintenance with just some 2-stroke outboard motor oil to keep it air tight, but I saw on iboats that people use OMC gasket sealer. My question is the 2-stroke outboard motor oil going to ruin the job I just did? Is it going to burn away my gasket? Just wondering if I have to take it apart again.

 

[F_R]

Re: Head Gasket 5.5HP 1959 Johnson Seahorse

Did you install a new gasket? If not, it will probably leak. Maybe not much, but any is too much. You don't want water getting into the cylinders.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Head Gasket 5.5HP 1959 Johnson Seahorse

hi kmk89. the oil shouldn't hurt it, but the OMC gasket sealer is probably a good idea (never automotive as that could cause electrolysis). I'm not sure how the sealer would react with the oil you've already added to the gasket, so you may want to get a fresh one just to be safe, but you might get lucky and get your motor to run ok as is.

 

[kmk89]

Re: Head Gasket 5.5HP 1959 Johnson Seahorse

Hi guys, thanks for your input. Yes, I replaced it with a new gasket I got from iboats. My worry was if the new gasket would burn and be ruined from the ignition in the cylinders because I put 2cylce oil on it to seal it. I was hoping to test it tomorrow at the lake, unless you think it would cause problems tomorrow or in the long run.

 

[F_R]

Re: Head Gasket 5.5HP 1959 Johnson Seahorse

Your new gasket will be ok with the oil. Don't worry about it.