A few summers ago, you guys helped me get a 1957 Johnson 35HP motor up and running for the Macomber 15 skiff I built with my kids. To recap, we rebuilt the carb, replaced the impeller, and did some electrical stuff up top that I can't remember. Although the motor ran fine, it never really moved the boat very well; that 35HP should've made the 15' flat-bottom skiff stand on-end at WOT, but we couldn't even get it on plane.
Fast-forward to the following spring (a little over two years ago) and some guys at a Texas Antique Outboard Motor Club swap meet helped me identify the (forehead-slapping) problem: short-shaft motor on a long-shaft boat. Duh. Bought the long shaft lower unit and installed it the next day, took her out on the lake, and she made 25+MPH with three grown men, one child, three full gas tanks, etc. on very rough water. Success!
On the way back to the dock, however, we noticed a hairline crack running across the motor board and transom from the motor torquing back. We eased back to the dock, and she's been sitting on the trailer ever since. We sold our house a few months later, and I lost my barn/workshop. Boat has been sitting (mostly covered) since then. I just this morning finished repairing the transom/motor board area and putting everything back together. Now I need to deal with the motor.
I charged up the battery, hooked it up to the motor, and hit the starter: Diddly-squat. When I hit the electric choke button, the butterfly valve snaps open & shut, so I'm pretty sure I'm getting electricity. I'm guessing I've got a loose wire or something between the battery and the starter, but can anybody think of anything else I ought to check out? What are typical steps to take when coaxing a long-sitting motor back to life? What do I do with the full gas can? Can the gas be used, or is it worthless?
Thanks in advance for your help - I'm antsy to get out on the water for the first time in 3 years!
Fast-forward to the following spring (a little over two years ago) and some guys at a Texas Antique Outboard Motor Club swap meet helped me identify the (forehead-slapping) problem: short-shaft motor on a long-shaft boat. Duh. Bought the long shaft lower unit and installed it the next day, took her out on the lake, and she made 25+MPH with three grown men, one child, three full gas tanks, etc. on very rough water. Success!
On the way back to the dock, however, we noticed a hairline crack running across the motor board and transom from the motor torquing back. We eased back to the dock, and she's been sitting on the trailer ever since. We sold our house a few months later, and I lost my barn/workshop. Boat has been sitting (mostly covered) since then. I just this morning finished repairing the transom/motor board area and putting everything back together. Now I need to deal with the motor.
I charged up the battery, hooked it up to the motor, and hit the starter: Diddly-squat. When I hit the electric choke button, the butterfly valve snaps open & shut, so I'm pretty sure I'm getting electricity. I'm guessing I've got a loose wire or something between the battery and the starter, but can anybody think of anything else I ought to check out? What are typical steps to take when coaxing a long-sitting motor back to life? What do I do with the full gas can? Can the gas be used, or is it worthless?
Thanks in advance for your help - I'm antsy to get out on the water for the first time in 3 years!
