Johnson Seahorse 20hp issues

Gonefishin95

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 16, 2009
Messages
44
I have a old johnson Seahorse 20hp. Model no. FD-20C. Serial No. J2645992.

Ok, im pretty sure this motor is a lost cause, however it was my uncles before he died and it has a total of about 30 hours on it. It sat for 20 years before my family used it for a few summers. Well last summer i go to start it (after sitting for another few years) and the cord didnt pull at all. I pull off the bottom end and find out the gear case is completely seized due to the fact it was run without oil in it.

Well i pull it all appart replace reverse gear sleeve (the brass part that is between the rev. gear and the shaft) and the shift fork. then clean everything up and soak it all, and put it back together. It ran flawless first pull every time.
However, it didnt shift, so we brought it to a local reputable boat dealer/ mechanic, they tell me the motor is junk and it wont run at all (it was not that way when we dropped it off)

Now i have it, and it and i think i fixed the shifting issue, but i cant really tell as it wont run. Its wicked hard to pull unless i take the plugs out. And i took everything out of the bottom end incase it was binding.

I dont know what to check, or where to even start. Im pretty sure the motor is junk, cuz i cant afford to get parts for it. anyway, any suggestions are appreciated.
 

Zeeter

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 15, 2009
Messages
189
Re: Johnson Seahorse 20hp issues

The lower unit shouldn't make the engine hard to turn over. That is what nuetral is for. How does it turn over with the lu off?
 

Gonefishin95

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 16, 2009
Messages
44
Re: Johnson Seahorse 20hp issues

Champainrover. im located in southern NH.

Zeeter, the engine is hard to pull ragardless of the LU being on or off, however its much easier to pull with the plugs out
 

Daviet

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Messages
8,958
Re: Johnson Seahorse 20hp issues

Just thinking, you might pull the cylinder head and inspect the cylinders and pistons. Could be rusty.
 

Gonefishin95

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 16, 2009
Messages
44
Re: Johnson Seahorse 20hp issues

i have done that, it literally ran perfect last year, you could barely feel it running while in the boat, just didnt shift. Once i brought it to "blank" Marine it worked no more.
 

14ftgrumman

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 19, 2008
Messages
416
Re: Johnson Seahorse 20hp issues

What was the original problem that caused you to bring it to "blank" Marine?
There should be no reason for anyone to pay good money to have a job done badly, then try to correct the problem themselves. I assume that you paid to have a problem fixed.

It sounds as if the problem has not been fixed, or they created a new problem.

Bring it back to "blank" Marine and ask them did you do?
 
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Gonefishin95

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 16, 2009
Messages
44
Re: Johnson Seahorse 20hp issues

the original problem was it did not shift, the bottom end was seized and i repaired it the best i could.

I did argue w. "blank" Marine and they said it wasnt running when i brought it there which is complete garbage. They told me it was un- savable and worthless. Which is also garbage because it has less then 100 miles on it (kinda low for a 1966) and i have all parts receipts/ work receits and the original documents that came with it when it was bought.

unfortunatly they charged me like 200 dollars for "looking it over" and i had no money left to do nething on it last summer, so now i got it running myself, jus gotta find out if it shifts.
 
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
8
Re: Johnson Seahorse 20hp issues

GoneFishing,

I live in Central Maine. If you're going to be in the Waterville area, let me know. I have a similar motor (1967 Johnson 20) and I have a parts motor for it, so maybe I could help.

If not, and you're going to junk or sell it, let me know before you do, please.

Chris
207-416-8598 (cell)
 

billsfw

Cadet
Joined
Aug 19, 2008
Messages
22
Re: Johnson Seahorse 20hp issues

Are you sure that you got your motor back? Sounds kinda funny that it was running and when you get it back it won't turn over. Check the serial numbers if you have them.
 
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