Some cool new motors I picked up

[1946Zephyr]

Well, today, I picked a couple old motors from a guy and they look to be some decent restoration projects. One is a 1955 Johnson 5 1/2hp Model CD-12 and the other is a 1947 Sea King 5hp Model 74GG.

I checked the compression on the old Johnson, after I sprayed the cylinders down with WD-40 and got 70 and 72 psi. I pulled the inspection plate on the flywheel and found a newer set of coils. The ignition has great spark so I bet that I could probably hook up the tank with fresh gas and start it up. The lower unit did have a few droplets of water come out, but all black oil came out after that, so I'm going to flush out the lower unit and put new oil in it with new washers on the plugs and see if that solves the lower unit issue. It shifts in the gears just fine. I'm sure the impeller needs replacing, but I'll fire it up once and see what happens. All the mechanics seem to be there, with the exception of the front faceplate. The high speed needle has been modified and the verticle lever (303468) is home made, but it works just fine. This motor appears to be the in the last few of the CD-12 model, because the engine shroud is the slip off type, like the 1956 and later, rather than the type that has the two wing screws in the front half. Somewhere during the production run in 1955, they did away with the two wing screws and made it just slip off, like the 1956 and later. I'll have to get the serial number off of it to get an idea of when it was built.

The old Sea King needed a shot of WD-40 in both cylinders to clean them out, but now turns good and free. This motor actually looks better than the old Johnson, cosmetically, but it'll need to be degreased. It has one of those cool lookin 5S10 carbs on it, like the typical old Sea King 5hp has on it. I believe this old booger will run like a top. The ignition in it, sparks good, so I think it'll come to life pretty good. I think this old motor has far less hours on it, than the old Johnson and is in much better condition. Once I degrease it, it should actually look pretty darned nice.

Sometime this coming week, I'll fire these motors up and update my post.

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: Some cool new motors I picked up

cool man! i got a '56 evinrude 5.5 -very cool little engine and really easy to work on

she needs a paint job but im getting to that shes got 90psi cold in each cylinder

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Some cool new motors I picked up

Yea, i actually restored one like that several years ago. 90 psi per cylinder is awesome. It must have low hours on it and been well cared for.

 

[Ross72]

Re: Some cool new motors I picked up

I picked up a cd-12 this summer and used it on a little jon boat. I runs great and is easy to work on.

 

[lindy46]

Re: Some cool new motors I picked up

Nice old motors the CD12 - and very reliable. Here's one I restored a few years ago.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Some cool new motors I picked up

Nice old motors the CD12 - and very reliable. Here's one I restored a few years ago.

nice one Yours has the same type shroud as mine. Yours must be a later 55 model as well. The CD-10, CD-11 and the early CD-12 had the wing screws that held on the front half. I printed up a complete parts list for mine last night.

What's funny is, one of these was also my second motor and an old Sea King was my third. It just so happened that I acquired both again today. The old Zephyr in my avitar of course was my very first.

I had a really nice, unrestored CD-11 several years back too. It's a pretty cool sty;e. No rubber mounts to worry about.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Some cool new motors I picked up

Well, just a little update here. I fired up my rough lookin old Johnson 5.5 today. I was surprised on how quickly it was willing to fire up. Once I hooked up the fuel line and charged it up, I choked it and within a few pulls, it sputtered. So, I went and grabbed the hose and filled up the barrel. While the barrel was filling up, I filled the lower end with fresh oil. As soon as the water level was right, I started the ol' bugger up and ran it for several minutes. Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less from an old Johnson.
This will be a complete restoration motor. The compression is 67 and 72 psi, so I'm thinking that the pistons and rings are pretty well worn. There isn't any engine noises, so I have reason to believe the rods and crank are good to go. I think once I replace the pistons and rings, the compression will be back up to snuff.
The lower unit kept the water out pretty good, even after I removed the washers and put the plugs back in without new ones. I basically just put in some engine oil to flush out the old oil and to give it some lubrication, while I ran it. When I was done running it, I drained it all out, and didn't see any sign of water intrusion. I'll still reseal the lower unit, reguardless, because knowing my luck, when it will need it, the parts will be harder to find. After all, this motor is only 56 years old now. LOL
The coils are new, but the spark plug leads are old and most likely not living up to their full potential. Seemed like a cylinder lost fire and snapped back to life here and there, so I'll need to disassemble the mag plate and clean everything up nice. Some new wires and condensors will be all it needs.
The paint is in horrible shape and has a lot of surface corrosion on it, so it will need to be torn down completely and refurbished, but this motor is actually in pretty decent mechanical shape and will restore nicely. Definately not one of the better looking CD's I've owned, but will definately will make some noticable before and after pictures for the viewing.

Maybe later this week, I'll tackle the old Sea King. It actually looks like it'll need less help, other than the old **** like gas I poured out of the tank, when I brought it home. Ugh! I hate rotten gas.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Some cool new motors I picked up

Your Johnson also has an adapter for a tiller extension. Those things were common "back in the day" - I used to see many of them in New England in the 60s.



???

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Some cool new motors I picked up

Yea, that's right. I even got an extension with the motor when I bought it. I'll need to scout out a pressure tank though, because the previous owner made one out of a plastice tank. I remember a while back someone had posted a thread here about making a pressure tank out of a plastic one.

 

[Steve A W]

Re: Some cool new motors I picked up

1946Zepher
I've got a CD12 that I worked on last winter. When I got it, it was stuck. No idea how long it was since it ran. a Guy my brother worked with stored it his basement 20 years ago and never came back.
A little bit of Kroil and some patience and it came loose. I figgured
on rebuilding it since I've never rebuilt an outboard. The compression was only 60psi on both cylinders.
I got it running just to see what I had. It only needed the points cleaned an set, cleaned the carb and sealed the float.
The little bugger ran so well that I ran it last summer on the Jon boat.
I ran the gas a little heavy with Sea Foam. and the compression is up to 85psi. now
It's a great little motor, But it's too small for the 16' jon boat.
So this winter i'm working on a 1957 Johnson FD-11 18hp.
I've also got a couple 5hp Sea King's, '48 and '53 on the
"One Of These Days" rack.
Good Luck with Your projects!
Steve A W

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Some cool new motors I picked up

Yea, that's right. I even got an extension with the motor when I bought it. I'll need to scout out a pressure tank though, because the previous owner made one out of a plastice tank. I remember a while back someone had posted a thread here about making a pressure tank out of a plastic one.

Have you ever done the fuel pump conversion on a 5.5hp? I haven't, but I have a '56 5.5hp Johnson and have thought about doing the Mikuni conversion, with the removal of the check valve under the intake manifold.



???

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: Some cool new motors I picked up

jay i did the mikuni swap on mine and it was REALLY REALLY EASY!! id bet it took me less than an hour. on my 56 'rude theres a boss on the side of the motor with 2 threaded holes and i used one of those holes and the head of the bolt to mount the pump on the starboard side of the motor
i tried to take some pics but they didnt come out at all... maybe ill drag it out of the garage tomorrow and try that if its sunny

heres what i got:

the pulse signal is pointed towards you in this pic and the out side of the pump to the carb is on the back it loops down and back around the front of the motor under the air silencer and into the carb the. inlet from the fitting to the pump and the pulse signal follow the same route laying low in the engine pan

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Some cool new motors I picked up

1946Zepher
I've got a CD12 that I worked on last winter. When I got it, it was stuck. No idea how long it was since it ran. a Guy my brother worked with stored it his basement 20 years ago and never came back.
A little bit of Kroil and some patience and it came loose. I figgured
on rebuilding it since I've never rebuilt an outboard. The compression was only 60psi on both cylinders.
I got it running just to see what I had. It only needed the points cleaned an set, cleaned the carb and sealed the float.
The little bugger ran so well that I ran it last summer on the Jon boat.
I ran the gas a little heavy with Sea Foam. and the compression is up to 85psi. now
It's a great little motor, But it's too small for the 16' jon boat.
So this winter i'm working on a 1957 Johnson FD-11 18hp.
I've also got a couple 5hp Sea King's, '48 and '53 on the
"One Of These Days" rack.
Good Luck with Your projects!
Steve A W

Yea. maybe I should try sea foaming mine first, because it actually does run prett decent. Mine had sat for about 8 years, before I got it, but it was freed up and cranked over good. Infact when I went over to look at it, I took the plugs out and sprayed the cylinders down with WD-40. Funny thing too, my waterpump even works good after all them years. The previous owner just had the coils replaced, before he quit using it, so he may also have had the impeller replaced too. Oh well, I'm going to change it out anyhow, just to be safe.

That old FD will be a great motor. The 18's have always been one of my favorite motors.

Yea, these two old motors will be on my "one of these days rack" too. As of now, I have a 1941 Johnson HD-20 that I'm going to get started on, but I at least wanted to get these running first.
I believe the old Sea King will run, once I get the tank cleaned out.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Some cool new motors I picked up

Have you ever done the fuel pump conversion on a 5.5hp? I haven't, but I have a '56 5.5hp Johnson and have thought about doing the Mikuni conversion, with the removal of the check valve under the intake manifold.



???

Actually I haven't yet. It's a nice thing that someone brought it up on this post though.

If I do end up tearing it down, then that will be the opportune time to drill into the block and get all the particles cleaned out thoroughly.

 

[milliesdad]

Re: Some cool new motors I picked up

The Johnson brings back memories of the first motor I had- a cd-10 (?) 1951 5 1/2hp.Where do you guys find this stuff?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Some cool new motors I picked up

The Johnson brings back memories of the first motor I had- a cd-10 (?) 1951 5 1/2hp.Where do you guys find this stuff?

On every street, in every survey, in every little town, in every state/province, in every country, there's a guy with one of those "little green motors" that they want to find a home for. I want to be that home.

Joining aomci.org is a great place to start. The meets are fun and informative, you get to meet a ton of contacts and leads on motors, plus its a heck of a lot better than cleaning the house

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Some cool new motors I picked up

The Johnson brings back memories of the first motor I had- a cd-10 (?) 1951 5 1/2hp.Where do you guys find this stuff?

The CD-10 and CD-11 were 1954 (the first year of production), but they are identical to the CD-12, with two exceptions. The earlier motors had wing screws that held the front half of the engine shroud on, whereas the CD-12 had the slip off type setup like the later motors. The engine shroud was still exactly like the CD-10's and CD-11's but mounted like the 56 - 58 models. Another difference, is the decals, too. Everything else is pretty much identical. Like HighTrim says, there are still a lot of these old green CD's still out there runnin' but they are starting to get a little more scarce, simply because they are approaching their 60th year in age and not a whole lot of moving metal parts that old left around. This is a good time to get those old CD's (and other models too) as often as you can and preserve them. Yea, yea, yea, I know....I'm addicted to those old classics

BTW, I will be needing the front face plate and the spring/washer assemlies that go behind the knobs, when I get ready to restore mine, so if any of you know of anybody.......

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Some cool new motors I picked up

I would not build a pressure tank out of plastic. You're taking a big chance. I'd never do it.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Some cool new motors I picked up

Yea I agree with you. The previous owner did and I got it with the motor when I bought it. I thought it was funny too, because it made me think of a thread that someone posted here about the exact issue.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Some cool new motors I picked up

Was that the previous thread that ended in ka-boom!