Johnson 40 - Year and info needed

[reg25]

Just bought a Johnson Super Sea Horse Electramatic 40 Model RKL-27A with electic start. The guy i bought it from had no idea how it worked or even if it still ran. Been sitting for over 10 yrs in a shed. Needs a complete lookover and service for sure but I am clueless as to how works.All my experience is with modern 2 and 4 strokes with tiller handle. Is it a single cable operation for throttle only with shifting done through wiring? It didnt include any controls just wiring harness coming from motor so can i get it to run without any to test it? Any info about this motor appreciated and are parts still available or discontinued?

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Johnson 40 - Year and info needed

I can tell you it's a 1965 model and I think, though don't hold me to this, that the control box had a panel on it with your switches to engage the gears as in d, n, r.<br /><br />I'm sure someone else will jump in here with more advise than what I have gave you.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Johnson 40 - Year and info needed

Hi reg...<br /><br />Common parts for your engine, points/condensers, carb rebuild kits, water pump impeller, are still available. <br /><br />The original control for your engine had a built in switch for F-N-R for the electric shift with the only cable being for the throttle.<br /><br />If you got the wiring harnes, there should be a "juntion box" that contains the starter solenoid and, if equipped with a generator, a votage regulator for battery charging.<br /><br />I would strongly suggest gettin a service manual for the engine if you plan on doing any work on it. The manual will pay for itself in the long run. The engines are good runners when tuned in right and are just a lot of fun to play with.<br /><br />Good Luck!!

 

[reg25]

Re: Johnson 40 - Year and info needed

Thanks guys. It does have a harness but only up to the connector off the motor, about 3 feet long. No junction box or solenoid or anything. It does have a generator. Guess that means i will have to spend alot of money on parts that i don't have to make it run? Pretty sure i can hook up the throttle cable from my old motor to a control box in my boat but can rest be rigged up homemade or should i really look for the original parts?

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Johnson 40 - Year and info needed

It's not really that expensive. Your missing:<br />1) Solenoid (cheap, around $15 new)<br />2) Fuses and holders (2, cheap)<br />3) Voltage regulator. Search the board for 'regulator', I think there was some talk of using a Ford one. You need the regulator to use the generator for charging your batteries<br />4) Electromatic shift control box. <br /><br />4 can be rigged. The green wire tied to 12v puts the engine in forward, the blue one puts it in reverse. So all you need is an on-off-on, 3 position toggle switch. The shifter ought to consume under 3A. The big black wire is ground, and the big red wire is the starter. The little black ones kill the engine when grounded. If you have electric choke you'll probably just want to activate it manually. I'm telling you all this because I figure you'll want to test the engine before deciding to put money into it. If you do, the manual will pay for itself really right away