Wanted: Lower unit for a 1963 Johnson Sea Horse 5.5 hp

[kuziak123]

I have a Johnson Sea Horse 5.5 hp that needs a working lower unit. I think the motor is a 1963 as the model # is CD-20R . I don't know what the 'R' in the model number refers to. Anyone who may be able to help me find this and other parts for this motor, as well as an owner's manual, tune up guide, etc. I would greatly appreciate any help as this is becoming a new hobby for me and I am new at it! I am from the Akron, Ohio area. Thanks.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Wanted: Lower unit for a 1963 Johnson Sea Horse 5.5 hp

You can try Twin Cities Outboard at http://www.tcoutboard.com <br /><br />If you have the model number, give them a call and tell them what you're looking for. They might just have exactly what you need. After you hear the price, consider it against the cost of a similar, complete, running motor.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Wanted: Lower unit for a 1963 Johnson Sea Horse 5.5 hp

Welcome to Iboats, kuziak123! Forget about the owners manual and spend the money on a service manual. You can get them here:<br />TheOutboardWizard<br />Mastertech<br />Marine Engine<br />Ken Cook <br />The parts manuals simply contain exploded diagrams of the outboard's parts along with part numbers. They're not nearly as useful as the service manual which shows you how to fix it. The aftermarket manuals aren't so great. I've got the Seloc that covers your outboard, and while it's better than the Clymers it's not nearly as good as the factory manuals. There's one on ebay now (looks like you'll have to fight for it):<br /> '64 5.5hp<br />('64 Evinrude service manuals cover the previous year if there's any changes (eg, oil ratio in '64)<br />Lower units seem easy enough to find:<br />Ebay auction 1<br />Auction 2 <br />What's wrong with the one you've got? If you don't like ebay, CATransplant has given you the place to call - they'll have buckets of them. Also, if you're taking this up as a hobby, try to locate your local outboard graveyard. If you have one, it will prove to be an invaluable resource.<br /><br />EDIT: Amost forgot:<br /> Tom Travis' excellent 5.5hp site.<br /><br />And I found another manual: Click here.

 

[kuziak123]

Re: Wanted: Lower unit for a 1963 Johnson Sea Horse 5.5 hp

Thanks to both Paul Moir and CA Transplant! I am following up on the lead you sent me. The last time I used the motor my father and I were fishing in Canada. The motor ran great for a couple of days. Then we went out one day and the motor still ran fine but when we put the motor in gear, it wouldn't engage. I had my friend's father (a professional outboard repair shop owner) look at the motor. He told me it needed a new lower unit....that water had gotten into it. I just called him tonight and asked if he remembered what it needed....he said seals for the lower unit?!?!? Does any of this make sense? How do I determine if the lower unit is good or not?

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Wanted: Lower unit for a 1963 Johnson Sea Horse 5.5 hp

I belive there's a spring shock aborber in the 5.5hp's lower unit that if it broke would cause the engine not to engage forward or reverse. Since evidently the case leaks anyway and will need new seals, why not pull it apart and see what's wrong with it. You'll have to remove the engine block from the rest of the outboard in order to detach the shift linkage, but you were going to have to do that anyway.