1969 Johnson 55hp Exhaust holes?

[1980SeaNymph]

I just bought a 55ESL69A, and it seems to be running decent and cooling well, but I'm a little concerned about a couple things. I've read that there should be at least a mist of water coming out of the two holes (approx 3/4" dia) just under the lower eng. cover. I have none.... not a drop. Are these indeed exhaust outlets? There is no exhaust coming out of them either. I haven't done a W/P or t-stat yet, planning on that this weekend. The head and exhaust cover never get over 130 deg while running in a barrel, and it takes quite a while (10-15mins) for it to get to that temp. I also have a fairly steady stream of lukewarm water coming out of a somewhat hidden hole (1/4") on the port side, just under the cover for the lower mount bushing on the lower end (hope that makes sense), and very little water coming out of the exh. at prop while idling on muffs. Is this normal? Just would like to know where to start looking, I'm a diesel tech by trade, and not very familiar with these motors. (yes, I have ordered a manual, just not here yet.) Thanks for any input you have, this site has a lot of great info!!!

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1969 Johnson 55hp Exhaust holes?

If you are running it on a hose you probably woun't see any water out of the exhaust ports, the exhaust housing needs to be full of water to get any out of the exhaust ports. If I understand the description of the 1/4" stream of water, it is normal. It must be circulating cooling water or your head temp would be much higher.

 

[1980SeaNymph]

Re: 1969 Johnson 55hp Exhaust holes?

My initial test run was in a barrel, that's when I first noticed no water from exhaust ports. Maybe water level in barrel not high enough? After that I had it running a little on the hose just to see what was coming out of the through-hub exhaust (it was only a little more than a mist). I'm sure it is flowing something, like you said... I was all over it with my temp. gun looking for hot spots when I first started it and never saw anything over 130, anywhere. That said, why is there no exhaust coming from these ports? Maybe bad powerhead base gasket??? Thanks for the reply.

 

[59_seafair]

Re: 1969 Johnson 55hp Exhaust holes?

I have the same motor and your exhaust comes out of the prop hub area. As for those holes they will not really have any water coming from them. I was first worried about no water as well but I have been running my 69 for over a year and never had a problem with it. I did change the water pump when I got the motor. I have ran the motor for about 100 miles without a brake and my heads never get about 145 for the most part.

 

[1980SeaNymph]

Re: 1969 Johnson 55hp Exhaust holes?

OK, problem solved. Tore it down for W/P job, and got all my questions answered... For the no water/no exhaust from holes, I found a small passage that runs between the exhaust leg and the cavity above the trim tab that was completely plugged with... uhhh.... stuff, for lack of a better word. (59_seafair... you may want to check yours!) Those two holes are directly ported into that cavity. As for the stream of water from the "mystery hole" in the midsection, that hole is the drain for the driveshaft cavity, and both of my water tube grommets and driveshaft seals at W/P were wasted. W/P impeller was intact but hard as a rock and cracked, so it was flowing something but definitely not what it should have, with all the seal leaks and such. Got all the stuff ordered, now it's time to hurry up & wait for parts... got plenty of cleaning to do in the meantime. lol Thanks for the input guys!