1956 Johnson Javelin 30HP RJE18 - first run normal or not??

[spriessman\]

Bought the boat/motor on e-Bay. Obviously they weren't a "pair" when the boat was last licensed in 2007. The boat electric connections (female plug) have no mate on the Johnson RJE18. I'm wondering if someone just bolted some questionable motor on the boat to sell it.

We pre-oiled the top end of the RJE18 and mixed fresh oil/gas (8oz to 1 gal). Jumped a battery direct to the starter and after a few spins things came to life. Lots of blue smoke - no - LOTS of blue smoke with good cooling water discharge. Shut down after a few minute run and noticed quite a bit of oil in the trash can/test tank.

We dumped the trash can, refilled w/fresh water, fiddled to lean the low speed mixture, changed the hypoid in the lower unit and restarted. Ran for about 5 minutes........... and the engine smoothed out to a moderate low speed/start speed idle - no obvious missing or misfiring. Good cooling water discharge with no oil to the touch in the discharge water, lots of blue smoke and again, a fair amount of oil in the trash can. Pix attached.

What do you think??? Is this normal or have I got some major engine problem that's pumping oil into the exhaust???

Thanks for your help

Steve Priessman
steve@stevenpriessman.com

 

[rjezuit]

Re: 1956 Johnson Javelin 30HP RJE18 - first run normal or not??

Looks to me like normal unburned premix. The older 2 strokes weren't designed to be the cleanest things running, and all of the blow-by ends up in the barrel. The smoke and oil will seem much much less on a moving boat. Rick

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1956 Johnson Javelin 30HP RJE18 - first run normal or not??

Looks pretty normal. You may want to use a 24:1 mix of gas to oil instead of 16:1. That should be adequate. Use TCW-3 synthetic oil for best results and least amount of smoke. I believe the starter on that motor is 6 volts, so be careful you don't burn it out if you're using a 12 volt battery. You may want to do a decarb with Seafoam. Wouldn't hurt on an old motor like that. Just do a search for Seafoam decarb for the proper procedure.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1956 Johnson Javelin 30HP RJE18 - first run normal or not??

You've got a '56 javelin and all we get is a shot of the leg in a barrel????
How about a complete picture of that motor--they're nice!
If it holds gear and the lower unit oil looks good with no water, I'll bet it will run for a long time. I like the synthetic 2-stroke oil, too.
JBJ

 

[spriessman\]

Re: 1956 Johnson Javelin 30HP RJE18 - first run normal or not??

OK - my "to do" list

1 - Change the mixture to 24:1 w/TCW Synthetic oil
2 - Figure out what "debarb with Seafoam" is - and do it
3 - Find a 6 volt battery

Mr Jennings - is this pix OK????? It's from the e-bay listing.............

Anything else??? Oh yeah, I need the threaded hull drain plug for the 1958 Crestliner that the Javelin is hung on................

Thanks for your help, gentlemen..........................

 

[Willyclay]

Re: 1956 Johnson Javelin 30HP RJE18 - first run normal or not??

Nice motor! I always wanted a Javelin but wound up with a 1959 Johnson 35 which at least one highly respected forum member thinks were ugly. If you need a service manual for your motor, I will send you a free copy of one I scanned and saved. Just send me your email address in a Private Message and I will reply with it attached. Good luck with that great old motor!

EDIT: Check Tashasdaddys thread of Top Secret Files at the top of the J&E forum page for how to decarb your motor.

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1956 Johnson Javelin 30HP RJE18 - first run normal or not??

OK - my "to do" list

1 - Change the mixture to 24:1 w/TCW Synthetic oil
2 - Figure out what "debarb with Seafoam" is - and do it
3 - Find a 6 volt battery

Mr Jennings - is this pix OK????? It's from the e-bay listing.............

Anything else??? Oh yeah, I need the threaded hull drain plug for the 1958 Crestliner that the Javelin is hung on................

Thanks for your help, gentlemen..........................

Just the normal maintenance stuff - drain and change the oil in the lower unit, and see if there's any water in there. Check plugs/clean and re-gap, or replace if worn. Do you know the maintenance history on the motor? When was the impeller last changed? It may pump water good now, but an old impeller can go at anytime. They should be replaced every 2-3 years. And get a factory service manual for it, so you can work on it yourself. Most Johnnyrude dealers don't want to service these old engines anymore.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: 1956 Johnson Javelin 30HP RJE18 - first run normal or not??

Sweet...you lucky pup. A Javelin with chrome intact. Follow the directions for decarb-ing...removing built up carbon/coke from the innards...in the Top Secret file. You don't need a 6-volt battery, unless you just want to use one. A 12-volt will work as long as you don't stay on the starter...keep it tuned so it will kick over real quick...most do if you have fresh coils/point/condensors/plugs and a clean fuel system. Switch to 24:1 using TCW-3 synthetic oil and you'll never notice the gunk at the lake...cause you'll be hauling a** away from it and synthetic helps reduce the residue, which is biodegradable.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1956 Johnson Javelin 30HP RJE18 - first run normal or not??

Nice old motor. I always liked those. I fixed and sold a few myself. This one you have looks like it's been well taken care of.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1956 Johnson Javelin 30HP RJE18 - first run normal or not??

Nice engine. I have one in the shed to fix one of these days It doesn't look that nice tho!)... Along with lots others... Yes, use synthetic tcw3 oil. I use the pennzoil from walmart. It's relatively cheap and biodegradable.

Yes Willyclay. The '59 J35 is still butt ugly! And it always will be! Sorry!

As the '56 30 has full bearings on all moving parts, thus you could actually use a bit less oil if you wanted... I go 30:1 usually on most of my engines with bearings... But everyone will differ...