1956 Johnson wiring

[BoatBuoy]

I am considering buying a 1956 Johnson 30 h.p as a project motor. It is on eBay as a RDE-18E. I cannot find any reference to that model. I've only found RDE-18. It may be a mis-print or typo. This motor has no wiring harness with it. Does anyone know if the '56 and '57 wiring harnesses were the same and connected the same?

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 1956 Johnson wiring

BoatBuoy - RDE-18E is an RDE-18. The E on the end is unimportant for year.<br />The '56 does not use the plug in connector that the '57 engine does - there's no plug at all. But connecting a '56 engine to a '57 harness should be trivial.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: 1956 Johnson wiring

Paul,<br /> Thanks for replying so swiftly. Another question. Since the wiring doesn't use a plug, does it simply pass through a whole in the bottom of the pan that sits under the engine itself? Maybe under the carb? Thanks again.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 1956 Johnson wiring

Yes, I belive it does come out a hole in the bottom of the pan on the '56 models. But I don't think it's the carburetor breather hole but one near it. Others on this board who have one will hopefully confirm.<br />If the engine is not electric start, it may not have a wiring harness. Those engines would have been "Slow to Stop", ie with no idle stop.<br />I had a look at the engine on Ebay - looks like a good project.

 

[cajun555]

Re: 1956 Johnson wiring

The wires do indeed come out a hole in the lower pan just to the side and below carb. How much are you going to pick up the mtr for?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 1956 Johnson wiring

I don't think those motors have a kill provision. To stop them you idle them down to nothing or choke them to death. You can easily wire a kill circuit in by running extra wires to both points sets. When the two are connected, they cancel each other out and kill the ignition. That is accomplished in the key switch and the harness should already have that provision. I just don't want you to be suprised that you can't turn the motor off once you get it started. You're probably going to have to service the magneto and that would be the time to add the wires. They don't have to be big...16ga is more than adequate.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: 1956 Johnson wiring

cajun555,<br /> The motor's on eBay so I don't know how much it will sell for. The lister said freight would be $100-$125 and it's too far for me to pick up. With that much freight, it doesn't make sense to pay much for it.

 

[cajun555]

Re: 1956 Johnson wiring

BoatBuoy, With that much freight cost I sure wouldn't give much. Probally wouldn't even consider buying it. A couple of months ago I picked up a "62" 28 hp rude for free. Mainly for the prop for my "56" 30 hp Johnson, Plus alot of the parts will interchange. I would check your local marinas for some old junkers to play around with.