Motor fell overboard, now what?

[Porto]

Hello, I was given a 1960 40hp Johnson Seahorse recently. The only problem is it was torn off the back off a boat in a raging river flood (literally torn, the stern clamps are broke off the motor, which is another problem I will be addressing in the future....). Anyway, the motor was rescued very quickly and oil was put in the cylinders. That is all that was done though. Now what should I do to get this motor up and running, or at least preserve it until I can get to it? This motor has a starter so it may be a super seahorse, if that makes a difference.<br /><br /><br />Also I have a 35 hp Johnson super seahorse from roughly the same era (late 50's or early 60's), will the stern clamps or stern clamp assembly from this motor fit the 40 horse, or do I need to get more info before someone can tell me. <br />I know this probably sounds pretty confusing but any info pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated, thanks......

 

[DJ]

Re: Motor fell overboard, now what?

I do not know if the clamp brackets are the same. Post some model numbers, perhaps someone with a parts catalog can asist.<br /><br />Putting oil in the cylinders was not enough. The real issue with a submerged outboard is corrosion on the needle bearings.

 

[jimmbo]

Re: Motor fell overboard, now what?

Pure alcohol mixed with oil would absorb the water better but since raging river water is usually full of mud and silt, a complete teardown should be done to clean it up. If the engine is lost in crystal clear water with no dirt or silt entered the engine, sn immediate staring and long running might save it. However in most cases water gets into at least one of the bearings and never gets thrown out or burned off. Soon enough something will fail

 

[Porto]

Re: Motor fell overboard, now what?

It doesn't sound too good, your right, it was a muddy river. The motor spent less than 5 minutes in the water, it was teathered to the transom so it didn't rest om bottom. Is there any way I could get some water-out or wire drier spray into the bearings to help dry them out? Or should I just consider this (another) parts motor? I know the guy who gave the motor to me had a lower unit put on it this season. He was so disgusted when the river swallowed it, he told me to take it.

 

[G DANE]

Re: Motor fell overboard, now what?

The mauals advises either to flush it immediately with fresh water, lay it with spark plug holes dowswards and cranck it with oil in cylinders and plugs out for a couple of periods. Then start it and run it for 1/2 and then wot for a period. that is if its clean water. If above not possible immediate dissassembly.

 

[alcan]

Re: Motor fell overboard, now what?

Hi Porto<br />Just because a motor goes for a swim, it does not always mean a total loss. In this case I think I would vote for total disassembly, ASAP. Do to the fact of such violent damage. If you get the power head apart and cleaned up you can take your time putting it back together. Most of the time I don't find much derbis inside. But you need to look any way. I would inspect the exhaust housing , suspension and drive shaft for bends. Exhaust housings do bend or distort. Most of the time this much structural damage is what totals the unit, not so much the swim.

 

[YamaCruiser]

Re: Motor fell overboard, now what?

Pickle the crankcase,(I use marvel or dexron), they can't hardly get hurt in freshwater. Pull the carbs(overhaul of course), reeds and the plugs to look inside for sediment. Before you try to run it after the mount clamps have been repaired (at your local machine-shop/aluminum welder) add a little extra oil to the fuel mix. Spin it over checking for compression. If compression is low, as long as they are somewhat close, let-er-rip. It will more than likely pick up compression. We have brought quite a few back from the "salty" depths here.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Motor fell overboard, now what?

I would expect you have a big, ugly paperweight. If you don't get a submerged motor running quickly, the bearings and crank journals begin rusting almost as soon as the motor is taken out of the water. You should have kept it submerged in clean fresh water until you could work on it. Most OEM shop manuals have detailed procedures for dealing with submerged motors.

 

[Porto]

Re: Motor fell overboard, now what?

The 35 hp is a model# RDS 21-B The 40hp is a RDS 22 (I was told it was a 1960). Will the parts for these motors interchange? I know the cylinders are different but what about the carbs, stern clamp assembly, ect.? Thanks.....

 

[jimmbo]

Re: Motor fell overboard, now what?

carbs are different, stern brackets should, both these engine were using the fibreglass cowls and mid section covers

 

[placebo]

Re: Motor fell overboard, now what?

I have a 6hp evinrude that I submerged twice while running wide open(don't ask). Both times in fresh water. Immediately pulled plugs and cranked the water out, and started it back up. It's been 18 years since the last swim and it still runs great.<br /><br />David

 

[gasguzzler]

Re: Motor fell overboard, now what?

I like my wife---I love my boat

 

[rolmops]

Re: Motor fell overboard, now what?

You don't have to worry to much about this engine being submerged in fresh water...if it was not hot or running.The trouble is that a hot, running engine that all of a sudden goes for a swim might get warped parts because of sudden partial temperature change.fresh water is not as bad as salt, but do check out for weird sounds,caused by warping.Almost everything between the rd21 and rd22 is the same except for carburators and cylinder size.