1958 Johnson 18 questions

[petrolhead]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this list and have a couple of questions about a 1958 Johnson Seahorse 18 (FD-12) that I just bought. <br />Firstly it has a weak spark on one cylinder, I'm not yet familiar with these engines and would like some suggestions as to what the problem might be?<br />Secondly, the engine is in great shape and has probably seen little use, but it's acquired a bit of hangar rash and could do with some cosmetic work. Can anyone tell me the paint code for the metallic red please?

 

[SCO]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18 questions

Hello there Petrol,<br />I have one of those engines. The parts are available new and don't cost too much, but as a first check I would make sure the points look good and are gapped the same on both sides by inspection(can do this without removing the flywheel), the spark plug wire is good , and all looks good. You could swap the good coil and see if that solves the problem as maybe all you need is a coil. You will have to remove the flywheel to do this, and that is a bit tricky. You might search for some posts on that as it has been covered well. Dont put a standard jaw puller on the flywheel as you might ruin the flywheel, there is a proper tool for that job. You can get the service manual for that engine. On my engine, the insulations had deteriorated to a degree that I just decided to replace all the spark components(coils, wires, condensers, points).The flywheel magnet must be good since one side works, but the gap on the bad side could be off. I cant think of anything else. Good luck.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18 questions

Hi PH,<br /> Your old 18 is a great motor. One of the best designs ever, IMHO.<br /> More than likely you'll find the coils cracked when you dig into the magneto (under the flywheel). Invest in an inexpensive harmonic balancer puller to properly remove the flywheel.<br /> You can replace everything under the flywheel for under $50.00 so if things look questionable, I'd go for it. You shouldn't have to do it again in your lifetime.<br /> As for pain, try Peter McDowell's stuff. He's linked off the AOMCI.org site's link page. You might also get lucky and find some touch-up maroon at the autoparts store that is pretty close, too.<br /> Make sure you run your motor on a richer than modern diet of 24:1 or 32:1 mixed fuel/oil. Run good quality TCW3 rated oil, in mid-grade gas.<br />- Scott

 

[petrolhead]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18 questions

<You might also get lucky and find some touch-up maroon at the autoparts store that is pretty close, too.><br /><br />I can get any colour I like mixed for me by the paint suppliers I use at work, as little as 0.5 litre, so I may as well have the exact shade. It's just easier for them if I can give them a code#, otherwise I give them a part of the engine and they'll mix and match to that.<br />I'll have it mixed in 2 pack acrylic which should last well.<br /><br /><Make sure you run your motor on a richer than modern diet of 24:1 or 32:1 mixed fuel/oil.><br /><br />Are you saying to use MORE oil? The guy at my local outboard centre suggested I might get away with LESS, as modern 2 stroke oil is supposedly better than 1950s oil was.<br />I don't know about this and was just going to use good oil in the recommended proportion of 24:1.<br /><br />Thanx for yours and SCO's advice on the spark problem, it confirms my own thoughts on the subject. I have a manual on order and will service the motor myself when I have it, in the meantime I may have a service done by the guys at the marina to get it sorted and running. The motor cost me so little I don't mind spending a bit to get it right, and they will have all the special tools that I don't.<br /><br />When it's ready the motor will be hanging on the back of a stretched (11') Glen-L Squirt that I'm just finishing. Two other guys who have built the same boat, and who are using the same motor on theirs, tell me it goes like a rocket on 18 horses, I can't wait!

 

[gsnyder]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18 questions

I restored my '56 Johnson AD-10. Original outboard paint is available at the following website:http://www.axxent.ca/~nymarine/ You can also get to this link with a Google search for out board motor paint.<br />Additionally, I found original decals at www.americanoutboards.com. The cost for the holiday bronze, and the white paint was about $65, and the decals about $40. The motor looks fabulous.

 

[SCO]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18 questions

Sounds great Petrol. The modern diet is 50:1. This motor I hear from Scott has sleeve bearings and needs the richer mix of 24:1. <br /><br />Scott, will we do ok with 32:1 on this motor? Id rather run the 32.

 

[petrolhead]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18 questions

<Original outboard paint is available at the following website:http://www.axxent.ca/~nymarine/ ><br /><br />A useful looking website, unfortunately the shipping costs from the US to the UK would probably be prohibitive, assuming they can actually ship paints which I'm not sure about.<br />At least I know the name now, I'll ask my paint supplier if Holiday Bronze means anything to them, they may be able to cross reference it. <br />I already found the decals at American Outboards and will probably order a set, although they are slightly different as the number 18 on my engine is in italics, their decal has it upright. I suppose I can use the rest and handpaint the number in the correct style.<br />As you have used their decals perhaps you can tell me if they can be lacquered over safely, and if so, what type of lacquer did you use?

 

[BillP]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18 questions

Hey Petrolhead...couple of comments here:<br />I'm with Chinewalker about the coils. If they are original it is time to change them. They are one of the first items I change on old outboards. <br /><br />On the decals...also try ebay. I bought some repro 1940 Sea King decals for about 1/3 of the American Decal place. <br /><br />About the paint. Over here in the USA we can take a sample part with the color to the local hardware store and they match with a computer. I did this on a full scale airplane to match the original for a repair. It was perfect. There is no guessing with this method.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18 questions

Paint:<br /><br /> web page

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18 questions

Hi SCO,<br /> Yes, you can likely run 32:1 on it. Some guys even run them leaner at 40:1 or 50:1. It's all a matter of preference and how much you value the motor. Personally, I would never run a pre 1960 motor of any brand on a 50:1 mix - parts are just getting too scarce. The 18s have enough roller bearings to warrant running a little leaner than the 24:1 I run in the 3/5.5/7.5 models. The little ones have bronze bearings throughout...<br /> Running it at 50:1 COULD be bad for the motor. Running it at 32:1 WON'T hurt the motor... If you're restoring it, why not err on the side of caution when you run it?<br />- Scott

 

[petrolhead]

Re: 1958 Johnson 18 questions

Thanx for the advice Chinewalker, I think I'll play it safe and run mine on the 24:1 mix that they recommended at the time, with the best quality modern 2 stroke oil that should provide adequate protection.<br />My other outboard is a 1961 British Seagull Forty Plus, that takes 10:1 gasil, so 24:1 seems pretty good in comparison.<br />Also, I come from a vintage model aeroplane background, and we run our ignition engines on a 3:1 mix of Gas:Castor Oil, some call it cough mixture!