Home Built RunaBout, Twin Johnsons

[donofish]

Hello,
I found this site when I was searching for Steering rope for my Project. I am a ways off from actualy needing the rope. I am currently in the middle of refinishing the Mahagany Deck, stripping the 35 Hp Johnson hoods of all chrome to send to the plater.

Should I attemt to rebuild these motors myself? They both turn over and are complete.

The Boat was built in 1956 by Mac McHann in So. Cal., it was the 5th and last boat that he built. THe boat is solid with Glass over wood Hull and a Mahagany deck, cool dash and windshield.

What the heck I am going for it... any pointers will be apprediated.

Thanks Dono

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Home Built RunaBout, Twin Johnsons

Looks like a very cool project!!
I absolutely love the twin jonsons!! Awesome!!
As long as the floor and transom are good, it looks like you will just be fooling with cosmetics!

Have Fun!!

 

[89nissanbassboat]

Re: Home Built RunaBout, Twin Johnsons

Dude, just look at those plates on the trailer, that along dates this as being old...that boat is very cool!!...I'd say a lot of elbow grease and a couple grand and you'll have it look'n like new...as for the motors, just do the basics first, carb cleaning, oil change and water pumps and give it some fire and see what happens...if the motors turn they might be OK, just start with the basics and see what happens...that boat will definitely turn some heads out on the water.

Way cool!!...it even has real glass windshields!

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Home Built RunaBout, Twin Johnsons

heck yeah that boat's pimp Small outboards but having twins looks awesome

 

[osborn159]

Re: Home Built RunaBout, Twin Johnsons

hell id do it, 1 of 5 built, do you know anything of the other 4? that is one sweet vessel my freind, nice find. good luck w/ her, keep us posted, this will have a following here if you do.
D

 

[McGR]

Re: Home Built RunaBout, Twin Johnsons

Wow, that boat is way cool! Nice score. Please post pictures as you progress through the restoration.

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Home Built RunaBout, Twin Johnsons

donofish,
Welcome to Iboats.
That boat should be a very cool restore. That thing will be very cool to cruise the lake.
Very nice. It looks pretty good now. Can only imagine what it will look like restored.
Bob

 

[NetMatrix]

Re: Home Built RunaBout, Twin Johnsons

That is a pretty nice looking boat. It doesn't seem like you will have to much to do to this vessel. Best of luck and keep us posted on your progression of the rebuilt. We got pros here to help you when you are in need of help.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Home Built RunaBout, Twin Johnsons

Awesome boat. Welcome to iboats! Post your engine questions in the Johnson/Evinrude section. We've got some real gurus in there and they love old motors.

 

[72seastar]

Re: Home Built RunaBout, Twin Johnsons

what year were the motors? first thing i would do is....... COMPRESSION TEST..... very important if the test is bad then the motor will have to be completely replaced or your repair bill just went up.... alot

 

[donofish]

Re: Home Built RunaBout, Twin Johnsons

The Johnsons are 1958, Model RDS20,

I will take the advice and run a compression check, should I shoot a little oil in each cylinder first?

These two have been sitting for over 30 years, but are pretty clean under the covers.

Can I do the compression check by hand pulling or should I try to use the Electric starters?

Thanks,

Dono

 

[sturdavj]

Re: Home Built RunaBout, Twin Johnsons

Cool boat, you can find a post in the fourm for "waking up sleeping outboards" step by step

Good luck

 

[osborn159]

Re: Home Built RunaBout, Twin Johnsons

you should be able to manually pull them for comp check, i think i would shoot some lube in there pull them several times to distribute it, then proceed w/ comp check, i am in no way a motor expert.
i would hit the outboard forum and ask there good info provided, i think a bunch of them are either outboard techs or really good at figuring stuff out, ive gotten good help and answers there.
we here basically live covered in fiberglass dust and resin, except the starcraft guys, they take the easy way out. (hahaha).
your best bet is on the outboard section, for any procedure and technical ???s
again real nice boat, id like to rehab a wooden boat in that apparent condition, good luck D

 

[sturdavj]

Re: Home Built RunaBout, Twin Johnsons

Try this link, way cool rearview mirrors

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158086

 

[ezwitter]

Re: Home Built RunaBout, Twin Johnsons

cool boat! really like them twins

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: Home Built RunaBout, Twin Johnsons

I love it,some of us spend our lives waiting to find a boat like that,and it looks like she is all there ,sweet looking engines too.

 

[tinkeringwackyone]

Re: Home Built RunaBout, Twin Johnsons

that is one cool boat, the wood should shine when your done. hopefully the outboards are in good shape.

 

[72seastar]

Re: Home Built RunaBout, Twin Johnsons

if it has a pull start and you can pull it then you could do it that way but if the electric starters work then its much less work but yea if you have got them to turn over with the fuel system pressurized then it would have put some oil in there and you would probably be fine but hey it couldnt hurt to add some like the other guy said...... the engines should have around 100-125 on each cylinder.... i have the manual covering 1958-1972. i have a 1972 johnson 65 HP and all 3 cylinders avg about 120