Some Q's about a 1964 Johnson 40hp

[IronWill]

I just recently got a hold of a 1964 Johnson 40hp Outboard RDSL-26R. I have a manual on the way but it?ll be a few days ?till it gets here. Meanwhile, I thought that I?d pick up a few things for it while I have the time.

1) What does RDSL-26R mean to us common folk?
2) I read up somewhere that this motor comes with manual or electronic shift. How does one tell which is it?
3) What?s a good oil to use on the lower unit?
4) Fuel oil type? Ratio?
5) Plugs?

Surly like everyone else, I?m trying to prep this motor for next season and would like to get some input from folks that have prior experience with this motor and could possibly have some good tips on what should be done and what to look out for on a motor this age.

Thanks a bunch?

-Will

 

[bktheking]

Re: Some Q's about a 1964 Johnson 40hp

1) What does RDSL-26R mean to us common folk? model number of the motor
2) I read up somewhere that this motor comes with manual or electronic shift. How does one tell which is it?- look for a manual shift lever on the side of the motor, if there isn't one it's electric in which case you will need the controls to go with it.

3) What?s a good oil to use on the lower unit?- again dependant on what you have for shift, manual or electric, they use different fluid

4) Fuel oil type? Ratio? 50:1- it was the first year for it

5) Plugs?- champion j4c gapped .030

 

[soundchaser]

Re: Some Q's about a 1964 Johnson 40hp

If the lower unit gear box is real pointy and long it an electric shift, If the gear box is rounded and smaller it's a mechanical shift. The L in the numbers mean it's a Long 20" motor. But May or May not have been changed to a short 15" since. But it was born a long.

 

[F_R]

Re: Some Q's about a 1964 Johnson 40hp

If the lower unit gear box is real pointy and long it an electric shift, If the gear box is rounded and smaller it's a mechanical shift. The L in the numbers mean it's a Long 20" motor. But May or May not have been changed to a short 15" since. But it was born a long.

"RD" says it is mechanical shift. Electramatic shifts were "RK" models. Mechanical shift uses plain 'ol 80-90 Outboard Gear Lube, any brand.

 

[IronWill]

Re: Some Q's about a 1964 Johnson 40hp

I figured those ?lil letters really meant something? Thanks for the input fellows.

There are two different model codes for this year? 26R and 26S. What?s the difference? I believe that the ?26? is 1964.

I?ll pick up some 80-90 oil while I?m out today, thanks.

 

[F_R]

Re: Some Q's about a 1964 Johnson 40hp

"26" is indeed a 1964. Now about that suffix letter, a very often asked question. They all start out the model year with a letter suffix that makes little sense. But then if there should be some sort of mid-year engineering change, the letter changes. So it makes no difference unless you happen to be ordering a replacement part that was affected by the change. The parts book will tell.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Some Q's about a 1964 Johnson 40hp

In the picture the boat seems undersized for the motor.
Also; hard to tell but it appears that the transom is short and the motor long shaft.
Normally the antivent (cavitation)plate just above the prop is even with the bottom of the boat or close.The whale tail(fin)is usually masking a handling problem
that you should attempt to solve with a proper setup.You probably realize the motor has been painted.

 

[IronWill]

Re: Some Q's about a 1964 Johnson 40hp

Thanks for the input folks...

steelespike: the motor's hung on a 1955 Crestline Voyager 15'.

What handling problems should I be conserned with the fin?

If the motor checks out fine on the water, I'll give it a makeover back to white in color...

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Some Q's about a 1964 Johnson 40hp

Why is the gear oil green? Hey, isn't that my drain pan you're usin'?

Nice boat. You'll want to convert that motor to a short shaft to use it on that boat. Truthfully, I think the best thing to do is get that 40 running good and trade it off for an 18 JohnyRude. It would be a better match for that size of boat. I sold a 12' crestliner this summer that had a 9.5 turtleback on it. Nice looking boats. Kinda wished I still had it for the 6 I have now.

 

[F_R]

Re: Some Q's about a 1964 Johnson 40hp

Yep, some sharp eyes out there. That is a long shaft motor on a short shaft boat. I dinked around with the photo to show it better.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Some Q's about a 1964 Johnson 40hp

..........
What handling problems should I be conserned with the fin?
.......

From the side the motor does not seem to be too low though the picture is not very clear.

The fins create a lot of drag and are often not needed unless the boat is underpowered.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Some Q's about a 1964 Johnson 40hp

Long shaft motors are okay with a short shaft boat, just as long as the lake you're in has been dredged properly. You just can't run a short shaft motor on a long shaft boat. I had a customer with with a big Chrysler motor on a Sea King aluminum boat. This motor had one of those big black hydrofoil fins and he said it worked great on it as far as keeping the rear of his boat stable.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Some Q's about a 1964 Johnson 40hp

What I meant was the fin was installed to improve a handling/performance issue
probably squating or poor planing atitude.The fin can be very helpfull but you should try to solve any issues without it.Then if you still need something smart tabs
or something similar are a better investment. I think someone may have raised the transom a little.They usually drop down where the motor mounts.
If thats a 15 its probably the Bucaneer.54" wide at the transom 70" beam rated at"get this"
60hp. I have the big sister to yours in an 18' 57 Bucaneer. I think the 18 is rated for 70hp.
Check out the retro crestliner site Lots of catalogs decal info and boats.

 

[F_R]

Re: Some Q's about a 1964 Johnson 40hp

The big piece of plywood on the transom does suggest that somebody tried to raise the motor up. However, my second picture sure does show the split covers over the 5" extension housing being below the boat bottom. Well, ok, could be camera angle, but it doesn't appear to be THAT much angle.

 

[IronWill]

Re: Some Q's about a 1964 Johnson 40hp

Is that your pan??? I saw it blowing across the field one day and thought that I'd be able to use it....Hope ya don't need it back!!:^)

To the best of my knowledge, I think the green lube is the Merc stuff.

I'll try the boat out as is. Then I'll try it without the big fin to help better understand what's going on with it.

It does have the extension on it. I'll take a better profile picture to get yall?s opinion on this rig. It's all new to me so the more constructive criticism the better.


Thanks again folks.

-Will

 

[IronWill]

Re: Some Q's about a 1964 Johnson 40hp

 

[ezeke]

Re: Some Q's about a 1964 Johnson 40hp

OK, you want the A/V plate at least even with the bottom of the boat. The plate should be just above the water when the boat is on plane.

 

[IronWill]

Re: Some Q's about a 1964 Johnson 40hp

I guess that it would be ideal to remove the 5" adaptor from the motor and cut the transom down to achieve the correct alignment?