1963 Johnson 18hp model #fd-17M

[caj404]

Good evening all. 'JB's and 'tashasdaddys' posts have helped me tremendously thus far with my 1963 Johnson 18hp model #fd-17M . My grandfather gave it to me after it spent the last 6 years asleep in his shed. With your help I have acquired good blue fire by successfully pulling the flywheel and cleaning and gapping the points to .020, the plugs to .030 Cleaning the coils and ends of plug wires and plugs. Thank you for all of that valuable info. I have had zero experience with any type of motor until know and it feels great! All I have left is a carb cleaning (hopefully not a rebuild) and the impeller. It does not want to run for more than a few seconds. I do still have a couple of questions however. Can you tell me what the 'M' represents at the end of my model#? Is one bottle of quicksilver to six gallons of 89 octane a proper fuel ratio?

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1963 Johnson 18hp model #fd-17M

You have to dismantle the carb to properly clean it, so why not put a carb kit in at the same time? Less than $30. Not sure about the "M" - maybe manual start? You should run 1 quart of oil per 6 gallons of gas in that motor. If it still won't stay running after the carb clean/rebuild, check the fuel pump.

 

[JB]

Re: 1963 Johnson 18hp model #fd-17M

Howdy, Caj.

Welcome to iboats.

The "M" is a manufacturing run number and means nothing to the user.

If the "one bottle" of oil is a quart you are okay at 24:1, but would be just as well off and richer using 87 octane regular gas and some oil that doesn't have the price jacked up for advertising, etc.

Neither a fancy brand name on the oil nor a bit more knock resistance in the gas is of any value in an outboard. One exception is that synthetic oil is better for both the engine and the environment at a much higher cost.

 

[caj404]

Re: 1963 Johnson 18hp model #fd-17M

Thanks lindy and JB,
I will go ahead and order the carb rebuild kit with the impeller if I have to dismantle it any way. I just didnt want to fool with the floats and smaller pieces since it has not leaked yet. Is there a particular synthetic that you could recommend and also any particular spark plugs?

 

[JB]

Re: 1963 Johnson 18hp model #fd-17M

I have used Pennzoil full synthetic but there are several good brands.

You can use either Champion J4C or J6C, gapped at .030". The J4J was originally specified and replaced by the J4C, but more recently BRP has called for the J6C.

My choice would be the J4C.

Do not use any other brand of spark plug.

 

[caj404]

Re: 1963 Johnson 18hp model #fd-17M

Thanks again Lindy, JB and iboats! I have not yet received the impeller or carb rebuild kit but I did a trial run cleaning the carburetor and setting the needle valves as well as cleaning the fuel pump. I started it with one light pull about 6 times. I didn't' let run very long for fear the impeller may be bad. Also I was half a quart low on oil at 50:1 so I added another bottle. It actually starts faster, easier and sounds better than any of my other small engines. Might tackle them next. You guys are amazing!

Thanks again,
caj404

 

[caj404]

Re: 1963 Johnson 18hp model #fd-17M

Where is the impeller located at on this contraption? I'm lost. Is this something I can do myself?