Maybe coils?

[John Henery]

I am currently rebuilding a 1955 johnson Seahorse j-10 3hp outboard. I have (with the help and information on this wonderful site) rebuilt the lower end, replaced spark plugs and rebuilt carburetor. Started it yesterday, runs much smoother with carb rebuild, but has " power surges" on high speed, like there is missing potential. Have adjusted needles both directions until it chokes out, and backed them both off, until it runs the smoothest on both low and high. Motor sat for 40 years in grandpas garage, thinking bad coils? Any information would be helpful, thank you.

 

[racerone]

If it sat for 40 years it is almost certain that coils are cracked .----Pull the flywheel off using a 3 bolt puller.----See this all the time.-----Picked up 4 motors a while ago.-----2 motors had cracked coils and 2 had recent new coils installed.

 

[F_R]

ALL, as in all, 1955 Johnsons have cracked coils unless they have already been replaced.

 

[John Henery]

Thank you

 

[Crosbyman]

coils are 17$ on eBay cheaper by the dozen

http://www.leeroysramblings.com/johnson_magneto.htm

 

[John Henery]

Installed new coils,(damn Sierra coils do not fit correctly, had to grind them down to size to fit. the rubbed against Magneto.) The old 55 breaths new life. She sure smokes a lot though.

 

[racerone]

Yes , some of these you have to run a bigger drill through the holes so they can be properly set.------But I must say that I have never had to resort to grinding these coils.

 

[Crosbyman]

Installed new coils,(damn Sierra coils do not fit correctly, had to grind them down to size to fit. the rubbed against Magneto.) The old 55 breaths new life. She sure smokes a lot though.

smoke is good for bugs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjLBXb1kgMo

 

[John Henery]

I have got another vintage outboard from grandpas garage. A 1957 Mercury Mark 6 Commit Twin, Super Silent 6. It has good compression and smoked-sputtered a little bit when I tried to start it, but from what I understand, these particular Mercuries, are really difficult to work on, and or get parts for. The Johnson was relatively easy to work on, and I have got her running good enough for a 12' smoker-craft. Any thoughts or experince with Mercuries of this type? Thanks

 

[F_R]

Working for a Johnson-Evinrude shop, when I would come home snapping at the kids, kicking the dog, and giving the wife the silent treatment, she would give me one look and say "you have been working on a Mercury, haven't you?"

 

[jimmbo]

she would give me one look and say "you have been working on a Mercury, haven't you?"

:laugh: lol

 

[oldboat1]

Wizard Super 5 parts should fit. Take Grampa's old bike down to the Western Auto store and pick up what you need.

(Drop the lower cowling for better access -- been a while but I think it can be loosened and moved out of the way, if not fully dropped. The slow speed mixture needle is accessed through the lower cowling [cowling in place] with a small screwdriver. I believe the initial setting is what is the same as that used on OMCs -- 1 1/2 open or a little less. Not real easy to get at when trying to tune, but nice quiet runner when you get it dialed in.)

NAPA might have ignition parts -- check the marine catalogue.

 

[John Henery]

Thats funny! Thats what I have heard about old Mercury's, that they are REALLY difficult to work on. probably why I don't see many around, especially old ones.

I could use a little help here though. I replaced the impeller in the old 3hp Seahorse JW-10, cleaned the shaft, installed a new water tube grommet, O-ring on the top, as well as some marine grease. put it back together, water pump works much better, but now I cannot get the prop to work! It just spins free, like the shaft is not connecting with any gears! I have pulled in out and put in back trying to connect with something, any advice would be very helpful. Thank you.

 

[merkdawg0084]

Is it in gear? It will spin in neutral? Did the driveshaft come out of the lower unit when you took lower unit off?

 

[hardwater fisherman]

I do not think that motor has neutral.. It is direct drive always in gear. If like later models it has a drive pin.. Maybe the drive pin is broken or missing?