Johnson QD-10

[Thunderhawk]

Hey everybody, just picked a QD-10 need a little help on a few things,

Plug and gap

Fuel mix

Year

Gear case oil

Are there alot of these motors still around? Were alot produced?

Haven't paid for this yet, whats a fair price for a non-runner (complete and in good shape, except for the pulled plug hole threads)

One more thing I have the pressure tank but it is pretty rusty, was thinking of knocking the inside with nuts & bolts and putting an inline filter in, what do ya think?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[F_R]

Re: Johnson QD-10

Hey everybody, just picked a QD-10 need a little help on a few things,

Plug and gap

Fuel mix

Year

Gear case oil

Are there alot of these motors still around? Were alot produced?

Haven't paid for this yet, whats a fair price for a non-runner (complete and in good shape, except for the pulled plug hole threads)

One more thing I have the pressure tank but it is pretty rusty, was thinking of knocking the inside with nuts & bolts and putting an inline filter in, what do ya think?

Thanks in advance for your help.

J6C, .030"

24:1

1949-50

80-90 weight outboard gear oil

yes, and yes

Whatever you and the seller agreed upon. I wouldn't give very much. The original coils were shot 50 years ago and the replacements are too. They have been obsolete for about 30 years. They can be found at a high $$$$. The carburetor parts are obsolete too. If your passion is restoring antiques, go for it. If you are more practical, beware.

It will start a fight, but I would convert it to a fuel pump and pick up a plentiful late model tank. You other guys do whatever you want.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Johnson QD-10

To add to what FR said, the lower unit is also a bit of a pain to drop, which makes changing the water pump impeller a tedious task. Fortunately, the impeller is still available at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, you need to replace yours. Although a fun and interesting motor (I have one), the QD-10 is not as user friendly as the later 1954-63 10 hp.

With some major retrofitting you can swap the windings from new coils to the old laminations. However, I'm not sure the newest coils lend themselves to this modification. Either way, its not for the faint of heart.

Its your motor so do with it what you please. I prefer to keep them original. However, the original suitcase tank is somewhat hard to find and a rusty tank can be dangerous. So if you do convert to a fuel pump I won't ball you out. With that said, you can usually find a good used "newer" style pressure tank for the same price or less than the cost to convert to a fuel pump.

 

[Thunderhawk]

Re: Johnson QD-10

Thanks for the input, It appears that the coils are leaking goo all over the place.

I could only get one cylinder compression due to the other having stripped threads, I measured 60 psi sound high enough to run? I know compression equality is more important, but what dose the average QD-10 run?

Also in the handle pic what is the small lever?, it appears to attach the throttle
linkage. This one is broken and missing parts.

Here are some pics, also I have a 51' ish Goodyear Sea Bee mod# 025-3569 5hp maybe this is a better candidate. Thanks again

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Johnson QD-10

60 psi is low. +70 psi will run. Never seen one below 70 psi so I can't tell you if it'll run. Are you sure you got a good reading?

Those coils are shot. Once they lose their tar they short out.

The lever is for throttle control using the tiller arm. As you know, that motor doesn't have the twist grip throttle control like newer motors. That switch, when activated, allows you to control the throttle by raising or lowering the tiller arm once you are underway.

The Sea Bee is Gale built (I believe) and is probably a good condidate for restoration. I wouldn't bother with the QD unless I was looking for a project. I won't say its hopeless. Its just going to be a significant amount of work. Don't let that stop you. You just might enjoy it.

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Johnson QD-10

I don't know too much about your QD-10, but like wbeaton said your Sea Bee 5hp was made by Gale. I've got one that was marketed by Atlas that I'm bringing back to life now. Most of the parts are still available new, and they're fun to work on.

Whichever one you choose, good luck!

BOB

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Johnson QD-10

My vote is not to buy it. If Wayne and F-R think it's a pain, then for common folk it is a nightmare. The '54 and up 10hp's are all super nice and super easy to work on. Too many nice '54's and up to get the '50 model, in my opinion.
If you like the looks of the '49, then you'd like the '53 QD-14. They are good motors, too. And not too bad to work on. I love mine. However, the cowl is totally aggravating. The QD-14 uses the common universal magneto ignition but you have to make your own carb. gaskets (easy). Just some thoughts.
Later,
JBJ

 

[Thunderhawk]

Re: Johnson QD-10

Thanks for all the input, I may try to find coils, or I might not. I'll offer $20-
25 bucks just to tinker with it, if I go any farther I may hit you guys up again.

Later for now.

 

[mchin]

Re: Johnson QD-10

I've done the modern coil swap, as the ones on the QD-10 as well as a few other omc motors from that period were made from unobtainium. If you really like old motors, join the aomci.org. There have been quite a few articles published on guys cooking out the tar and re-building them. I went the other route and swapped out coils, the scary things is drilling the mag plate and you only get one shot at doing it. I think Peter McDonald in canada was the author of the article. It does work, but it takes a bit of work.

 

[Thunderhawk]

Re: Johnson QD-10

Got both the QD and the SeaBee for 25 bucks. The SeaBee has good comp,
new ign. parts and a good lower. It will be a runner I don't know about the QD.

Wish me luck, bye for now.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Johnson QD-10

Got both the QD and the SeaBee for 25 bucks. The SeaBee has good comp,
new ign. parts and a good lower. It will be a runner I don't know about the QD.

Wish me luck, bye for now.

That's a good deal. Happy motoring. Once you decide to get into the QD-10 (and you will) drop me a line. I have some info that will help you along.

 

[Thunderhawk]

Re: Johnson QD-10

Thanks for the words of encouragement, I wish I could get ahold of some coils for it. Any ideas? Also only getting about 60 psi in both cylinders. Anyway I gotta SeaBee to get to. Later for now.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Johnson QD-10

Thanks for the words of encouragement, I wish I could get ahold of some coils for it. Any ideas? Also only getting about 60 psi in both cylinders. Anyway I gotta SeaBee to get to. Later for now.

You have a few options. Buy used from a marine wrecker, retrofit new coils to the mag plate or convert new coils to the old laminations.

I'd less interested in the actual psi readings and more interested in the balance. If they test even and the motor "feels" like it has compression then I may begin working on it.