1956 30 hp johnson questions

[54bobby]

So, I'm going to look at a 56 30hp sea horse. Hasn't been run for 5 or so years but garage kept with tank and stand. Asking price is 150, I'll work on that. My questions are,
#1, what's the difference between the sea horse and the javalin?
#2, how robust is it?
#3, it needs the tiller/throttle handle, should I b able to readily source on and what years and model numbers are interchangeable?
the engine is one owner, paint and decals are very good with all knobs, levers, etc intact and in good condition.

 

[racerone]

The javelin was the " deluxe paint / colour / cosmetics " option.------And I think was standard with electric start.------Remember that this was 1956 marketing and promotion.

 

[F_R]

2. They are generally "robust", but there were problems with some of them. You need the complete model number to know. Major problem was early ones had a junk lower crankshaft seal that would fail and let water enter the crankcase, which would destroy all the bearings. That was corrected in later production.

3. Tiller handle fits a multitude of 25-28-30-33-35-40-50hp motors, 1950's into the 1970's. But there was a 1956 mid-year change for the gear/shaft assemblies between the tiller and motor. Motor side and tiller side must match.

 

[54bobby]

2. They are generally "robust", but there were problems with some of them. You need the complete model number to know. Major problem was early ones had a junk lower crankshaft seal that would fail and let water enter the crankcase, which would destroy all the bearings. That was corrected in later production.

3. Tiller handle fits a multitude of 25-28-30-33-35-40-50hp motors, 1950's into the 1970's. But there was a 1956 mid-year change for the gear/shaft assemblies between the tiller and motor. Motor side and tiller side must match.

I had heard something to the affect that the early ones had those tiller gears stamped. Generally are they not that hard to find? Hat to buy it and not b able to get a throttle handle. How can I tell if it's an early 56 with the bad crank seal? Is there a definitive serial number I can go by to determine pre and post early 56's?

 

[F_R]

You would first have to determine if you have stamped or cast throttle gears, then look for a tiller with like gears.. OR replace both parts.

As for the seal, the clue would be in the model number suffix (if any). Unfortunately, my parts book got lost in a computer crash, so I couldn't tell you even if you gave me the model number. And even at that, many powerheads got replaced under warrranty, so a "bad" model might have a replacement powerhead with the "good" seal. The only 100% accurate way to know is pull the powerhead and look. And yes the "bad" ones can be saved if it has not yet failed.

 

[54bobby]

ANOTHER QUESTION GUYS.
Is the same year and hp evinrude the exact same engine? manuals and parts catalogs for this year are hard to find iv'e found. i have located an evinrude parts catalog for the 56 big twin and lark. would it be what i would need/

 

[F_R]

Yes, same motor with different hoods and hood-mounting parts. But the Evinrude parts catalog identifies the seals I've described by Evinrude serial numbers, not Johnson model numbers. I have the Evinrude catalog (if it didn't fall in the crash - haven't actually checked).

 

[54bobby]

Did some research. The division line between early and late models is serial number 214739