1955 Johnson 5 1/2 water not pumping properly

[KonaB206]

I fired up the motor I've been working on for the last few months today and it doesnt seem like its pumping water correctly, Its leaking out of the shift lever really bad.
I took a video and posted it to YouTube, here is the link
https://youtu.be/vpBGJU1vFvY

 

[boobie]

Power head gasket ??

 

[KonaB206]

Power head gasket ??

I replaced the power head gasket it has a brand new one on there, should I b using some sort of rtv along with the gasket?

 

[boobie]

Is by chance the upper water tube grommet leaking ??

 

[KonaB206]

It seems like there it barely any water coming out of the water outlet compared to the other motors that are the same year I've seen on YouTube while running. So I took the lower unit off and wrapped a piece of cardboard around the driveshaft end and put my drill on it to spin it and i could see a pretty good flow of water coming out of the water pump
but it just doesnt seem like its pumping enough water out the outlet when its assembled and running to me

 

[KonaB206]

Is by chance the upper water tube grommet leaking ??

I can check that next I was told the grommet wasn't to big of an issue and to just lube it up with some grease and put the tube back in it if it was still in tact and not ripping apart or anything. Would it be a hood idea the buy that grommet and put on a new one? Also if so would you happen to have a part number

 

[Crosbyman]

the base gasket under the ph have different patterns for 1955 56 59 … did you use the proper one for your engine

visit vintageoutboard.com for patterns your s is 303467

https://www.vintageoutboard.com/col...asket-base-for-1954-55-5-5hp-johnson-evinrude

 

[boobie]

Crosbyman brought up a good point !!

 

[KonaB206]

the base gasket under the ph have different patterns for 1955 56 59 … did you use the proper one for your engine

visit vintageoutboard.com for patterns your s is 303467

https://www.vintageoutboard.com/col...asket-base-for-1954-55-5-5hp-johnson-evinrude

Looks like I ordered the wrong one!
this is the one i ordered in the attached photo

 

[F_R]

When you go back in to install the correct gasket, replace the o-ring on the shifter shaft to stop the water from leaking out there. And grease the shifter too.

 

[racerone]

I guess when you order the wrong gasket online you get the wrong gasket.-----A dealer ( if you can find one ) would possibly ask you for the old one or model # of your motor.

 

[Crosbyman]

not a big loss since he can now look for another oldy for his collection...and gasket

One bite and there is no cure :croc:

 

[oldboat1]

Is that powerhead on a different motor -- Sea King, maybe? May make no difference, but could require a different gasket to avoid leaks. Bolt pattern may match, but configuration might still differ.

 

[F_R]

That is not a Gale/Sea King powerhead. It is a Johnson powerhead on an Evinrude lower. Good point though---do the powerhead/lower years match?

 

[KonaB206]

That is not a Gale/Sea King powerhead. It is a Johnson powerhead on an Evinrude lower. Good point though---do the powerhead/lower years match?

I'm not sure if they do match. I know that the lower unit is a 1955 because of the model # that is tagged on the frame.
What would be the best way to find out if it's the correct powerhead and year for that lower?

 

[F_R]

Yeah, I know the lower unit is a 1955 by the muffler on the back. But the design was changed in 1956. I suppose lay a 1955 gasket on the bottom of the powerhead and see if it matches all the way around.

 

[KonaB206]

Yeah, I know the lower unit is a 1955 by the muffler on the back. But the design was changed in 1956. I suppose lay a 1955 gasket on the bottom of the powerhead and see if it matches all the way around.

Alritey well I got one on order so as soon as it gets in I will check that out and let yall know how it goes

 

[F_R]

Come to think about it, the powerhead is red, meaning 1956 or later. 1955 Johnsons were green.

 

[KonaB206]

Come to think about it, the powerhead is red, meaning 1956 or later. 1955 Johnsons were green.

I also have a 1957 Johnson 5.5 that's pretty rough on the exterior but its complete. I think it had been sitting outside most of its life in the sun. The throttle is very stiff and hard to twist on it and there's allot of dirty stuff all over the carb linkages and powerhead parts.

Do you think it would be possible to take the midsection of the leg between the powerhead and the lower unit and use it on my 55 lower unit and powerhead that I have already tuned up? Do you think I would have a better chance at the mid section matching up with the powerhead since we know for sure it's not a 1955 5.5? Also they would do you think the lower unit would match up with the bottom of the mid section from the 57?

 

[F_R]

We are getting into territory I'm unsure of. I'm very familiar with the complete motors but when it comes to mixing and matching I'd just about have to look and compare. However I feel safe in saying the lower units and midsections will bolt together ok. But the shift rod and drive shafts might be different lengths, that I don't know.

Reminds me of when I cobbled together two 7.5hps of different years. Everything matched up went together just fine till I to the last part. The propeller wouldn't go on.