older 50 hp johnson

[steppinstone]

Hello the question is I recieved a 50 hp from my brother a few years ago 5 to be exact. I think it was built from around early 1970 's and it has been sitting in my shed since then ,I have not done anything to it and now I feel like tinkering with it where should I start ? should I put mystery oil in the cylinders for a week or so first before I try to start it ? any help would be appreciated Paul

 

[ezeke]

Re: older 50 hp johnson

The first thing to do is to identify the motor. Look on the port transom bracket for a 1" X 3" plate with model and serial numbers. If the plate is missing, look on the engine block for a nickel-sized convex welch plug which may have both numbers.

Once you have the model number, you should consider acquiring a factory service manual for the motor.

In the meantime, read the following thread for good suggestions: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158086

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: older 50 hp johnson

The Mystery oil is a good idea.
Read this:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158086

I pretty well do things in this order:
Check compression. Cylinders should be within 10% of one another.
Check spark with a spark tester (available cheap at an auto parts store)
Replace the impeller.
Change the lower unit oil.
Good luck! Post the model number next time around , so we can figure out what year it is and give specific advice.

 

[steppinstone]

Re: older 50 hp johnson

Hi guy's , I finally uncovered the motor to find out that it is a evinrude 55 hp the model # 55873r, serial # j06020. I found a family of mice living in the engine cover needless to say they were eating the wires so I have a little bit of wire harness work to start off with. I pulled the plug's squirted some mystery oil in it and wd40 all over engine I tried to turn the flywheel by hand but no go hopefully with the mystery oil soaking in the cylinder's for a couple of day's it will loosen we will see. Any suggestions?

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: older 50 hp johnson

That would be a 1968 ERude 55hp motor. It has hydro-electric shift and a distributor/amplifier based ignition system.

They can be good motors if in a good and operable condition. You do have to be careful about putting money into them though - many parts are NLA and the ones you can get tend to be very expensive.


BTW - you may have a johnson powerhead on that motor.

 

[steppinstone]

Re: older 50 hp johnson

Thanks Jay, Would it be better off parting out the motor instead of investing money into it . I really have no need for this it was my brothers he trashed his boat and gave the motor to me . I was just trying to make room in my shed and needed some thing to tinker with.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: older 50 hp johnson

Hi guy's , I finally uncovered the motor to find out that it is a evinrude 55 hp the model # 55873r, serial # j06020. I found a family of mice living in the engine cover needless to say they were eating the wires so I have a little bit of wire harness work to start off with. I pulled the plug's squirted some mystery oil in it and wd40 all over engine I tried to turn the flywheel by hand but no go hopefully with the mystery oil soaking in the cylinder's for a couple of day's it will loosen we will see. Any suggestions?

I'd take the lower unit off, to make sure that's not what's locked up. You'd be taking it off anyway, if you part it out.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: older 50 hp johnson

With the wiring problems and the fact that the motor won't turn, I'd probably part it out.

If you drop the gearcase, don't let it fall when you pull the last bolt. If you do, you'll most likely break the gearshift wires, which will reduce the value of the assembly considerably.

 

[steppinstone]

Re: older 50 hp johnson

Hi guy's I thinking about the motor yesterday , would the reason the motor is locked up because I have no power going to it ? seeing how it is electric lower unit and if that is locked in gear ? I have the controls for it and I could put power to it . Just a thought ... any opinions ! or is it a dream I still have it soaking in oil.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: older 50 hp johnson

It's locked up because it was left in a barn long enough for the mice to move in and set up house...question is, is it the powerhead or LU that's frozen? No way to know unless you pull the lower unit. Hooking up power to it will only tell you whether the electric shift stuff in the LU is working...doubtful since it sat in a barn for five years. Start parting it out and try to get enough $$$ to help purchase a replacement.

 

[steppinstone]

Re: older 50 hp johnson

well I posted it on craigs list for $200.00 for the whole motor I don't have time to try to part it out so if someone else want's to part it they can ! I think that was a very low price but I did not have any idea what it was worth thanks for your input