Johnnyrude Parts Availiability

[MrMartyr]

Greetings All,

I have a 1956 Lonestar Clipper resoration project that I am just getting started on that will, someday, be needing a motor.

I am looking for a 35 - 40 HP Johnson or Evinrude as I have had friends recomend them as relatively easy to work on for the shade-tree guy vs a Merc.

I am open to an older motor, '70s, '80s if condition and price is right but, I have a couple of questions/concerns that hopefully someone can help answer.

1) what is the parts availiablity for these older motors?
I don't want find myself the proud owner of someting I cannot get parts for.

2) What year ranges and models would be best in light of the parts question.

3) I have been told that elctronic ignition engines are far better than points/coils types for reliability & startability.
Is that true?
What about cost and avaliabilty of ignition parts elct v points/coil?

4) What year did electronic ignitions begin?

Thx

 

[lindy46]

Re: Johnnyrude Parts Availiability

Why wouldn't you want to put a 50's motor on a 50's boat? A 30 or 35hp Evinrude or Johnson from that era would be perfect. Parts are easy to get, and the points system is so much simpler and easier to work on than a newer motor with all the electronics. With routine maintenance, my 1957 Evinrude Lark hasn't stranded me yet. It starts easily, has plenty of power and will troll all day at 2-3mph for fishing. I wouldn't trade her for a newer motor with the electronics.

 

[JB]

Re: Johnnyrude Parts Availiability

You have a PM

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Johnnyrude Parts Availiability

Yea, I'm with lindy46. A 1957 Lark would be nice on that boat.

 

[babysdaddy]

Re: Johnnyrude Parts Availiability

I am pretty much a newbie, but I have been reading the posts from these guys for awhile. I do trust their inputs and they collectively have been spot on. In my opinon I think that if you have a period boat why would you not want to put a similiar period engine on her if she was not a hi performance craft that you chose to push the envelope with. As to your previous post:

1 Mercs are great engines until you have to work on them. If a problem arises then BOAT (bust out another thousand). Johnnyrudes require few if any special tools for the era of motor that would be comparable to your 56 Lonestar Clipper.

2 55- 72 Johnnurudes. Simple engines that the novice "mechanic" can work on.

3. This for me is a mixed bag. I like electronic iginition, but I know that I cannot service them. Points are simple, cheap and reliable. Electronic modules MAY give higher performance, but at the cost of increased complexity and possibly higher servicing costs. I have electronic iginition on my I/O s, but condensors and points on O/B s I have yet to encounter a problems with the I/O s. but I like the simpkicity of the points,

4) I believe that they became readily available in the early 70s.

More importantly I think that you should ask yourself what do you want from your boat, and what do you want to spend to get there. For enough money you can get whatever you want. For me it is a risk and reward system because I have perceived boating not as a short term investment, but hopefully a lifetime endeavor. I own a boat for the enjoyment of today, but boating is a investment in my children's future enjoyment