1958 Johnson 18

[petrolhead]

Thanx to everyone who came up with suggestions on my old Johnson 18 over the last few days. I got the diagnosis from the outboard centre today after they'd had it for the weekend, and the results were pretty much as everyone predicted.<br />They say it needs new coils, points, and HT leads to cure the weak spark problem. It also needs a carb service and new fuel lines to the carb, and apparently the upper shaft bearings (?) need replacement too.<br />This is all stuff I should be able to do quite easily I think, I'll soon find out when my manual arrives. The only thing that might possibly be a problem is the bearings, I assume they are available but I don't know what's involved in removing and replacing them, anyone know how easy this is? <br />I've asked that they leave the flywheel off so I can replace all the electrical stuff without having to remove it again, I assume replacement doesn't require any special tools?<br />The outboard centre say they can supply all the parts I need (and do the work as well of course, but at a price!), but I think I can probably source them cheaper myself even if I need to order them from the US. What's the best place to get them from? <br />I'm pleased there's nothing major wrong with it, the experts opinion was that considering its age it's really in pretty good nick, and for the price I paid it was a really good buy.<br />I'm looking forward to spending some time over the winter getting it fixed up and running, I'm sure I'll have a few more questions to ask here when I get started!

 

[rwise]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18

try http://www.twincityoutboard.com/ <br />Richard

 

[moonfish]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18

the top bearings have a hole in them and it indexes with the crank case. you need to split the crankcase to get the bearing out. i'd be more worried about how it got ruined in the first place. maybe that oil pipe that feeds it oil is plugged. I just got the same motor. <br /><br />Vintageoutboards.com has seals and bearings. theshadconnection.com has cheaper coils and points and other more common parts.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18

Hello<br /> they were fine old motors. the only real special tool you need to change the coils is the ring that sets the air gap between the flywheel and the coil laminations. if you wont tell anyone you can use a thin hack saw blade. the lamminations should be flush with the machined part of the mounting plate.pay real close attention to which cyl is 1 and 2. do the carb. fuel pump if it has one. do the tstat if applicable and do the water pump. I would change the head gasket while I was playing as they dont last forever and this motor is a tad elderly. you may wish to reseal the gearcase as the shifter shaft seals liked to leak after sitting. should be a bloody fine winter project .good luck and keep posting

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18

Another thing you may want to do is to add a fuel pump, and get rid of the double line tank. My son, and I have two of these engines, a 1957 & 1958 that we use for river fishing. I changed over both engines, as I feel they are more reliable this way. Those old double line tanks can be a fire hazard.

 

[madera]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18

is the johnson 18 a seaking, is the cover plastic or metal and what gas/oil ratio do you use and also where did you order manual and where can you get parts, i know these are a lot of question but i just got this motor today

 

[petrolhead]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18

Thanx everyone for the sudden flurry of answers to my questions!<br />I'm ordering most of the stuff I need from theshadconnection.com, have to do it through a friend in the US though as they won't accept orders/CC payment from, and won't ship to, non US addresses which is a bit of a PITA.<br />The only parts I'm having trouble finding are the "spaghetti" seal for the crankcase and the O-ring for the bearing, both of which I assume need to be replaced? I'll try vintageoutboards.com as moonfish suggested.<br />To answer madera's question about manuals, I got mine from "leenightmare" on Amazon.com, staggeringly fast shipping from US to UK and lowest price I could find anywhere!

 

[moonfish]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18

i just got the lower unit seals off of ebay. you can make most of the seals, except the head gasket and some O rings. all but one of which come in the lower unit kit. the impellar kit is on ebay too. if you split the crankcase, it might be wise to replace the big O ring on the bottom crank bearing. and you'll need some sealant for the crankcase. i used a gasket sealer but i wish i hadn't used a silicone based one, in retrospect.