johnson 40 sea horse

[Fifty]

Hi everyone, I just bought a johnson sea horse 40 that has sat for six years. I have a few questions that maybe you all can help me with.
First, the model number, RDS-29E, I can't find in any books or on the internet. Does anyone know what year this is and whether it is electric shift or not?
Also, I drained the oil in the lower unit. First a bit of thick milky fluid came out of it. Then clean black oil came out of it. Mostly the oil was clean and black. Is the milky oil cause for any concern?
Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: johnson 40 sea horse

Hi Fifty

That's a 1967 model, Some had electric shift, other didn't. Look for a shift lever on the motor by the throttle lever. If so, it's mechanical shift. Milky oil is not a good sign. Seals may be shot in the lower unit. You might try new seals on the fill/vent screws and see if that does the trick first. New seals, run it in the water, then check the fluid again...

http://www.old-omc.de/index2.html ] More info[/url]

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: johnson 40 sea horse

it would be a 67 w/elect. start. did the screws on the lower unit have seals on them, i not you need them they are prone to leak, and that maybe where the water came from. 1st you need a manual as there are certain things that need to be done to that engine before you start it. 6 years, the impeller is shot, will come apart and clog the cooling ports. the carbs probably need to be cleaned and reassembled with a rebuild kit that includes the float, support e the engine so the plug holes are pointing up. put some marvel mystery oil in the cylinders and let it sit for a day. then drain the oil. clean up the mess, now you can pull the start rope and turn it over. (don't stand behind it) or you will get oil on you. get most of the oil out. now do a compression test and record the results. turn the engine over 4 time on each cylinder. you "want" 100 psi, and each cyl. to be with 10% of each other. i not post what you find. then you need to check for spark. if you have all this and it is good order the carb kits and impeller. waiting for your findings. there is a thread "awakening a sleeping outboard" in the engine faq forum but it's not working at present. Good Luck. rick was posting while was so long winded. as he said look for the shift lever.

 

[Fifty]

Re: johnson 40 sea horse

Thanks guys. The screws had pretty good looking seals on them and the screws were tight. Bad news?
I'll put the Marvel Mystery oil in today and give it the compression test tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again.

 

[Fifty]

Re: johnson 40 sea horse

Well, the compression turned out fine and I moved on to changing the water pump. However, I noticed a hairline crack in the section of the unit that separates the exhaust passage from the water pump area. My Seloc manual says that this crack will cause exhaust gases to leak into the water pump area making the motor overheat. Can I fix this crack with epoxy. Doesn't the water get heated from the exhaust when it passes through the pickup tube anyway? The book says the housing has to be replaced. Someone, please tell me that this isn't true. Thanks, all.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: johnson 40 sea horse

Clean the area very well with a degreaser, grind out the crack so you get to fresh metal and epoxy it with JB weld or whatever.
The trouble is air gets forced into the pump and it can loose it's prime. Fixing it is simple and quick.
I would think even a welder would be able to repair the crack for a lot less than a new case.
If that's an electric shift, then you'll need to use OMC/BRP "Premium Blend" gearcase lube. Otherwise use 90 weight (or "HiVis") outboard gearcase lube. An electric shift engine can be identified by the lack of a shift handle on the starboard side of the engine.

 

[cyberodie]

Re: johnson 40 sea horse

I have a 1968 40 hp electronic shift. The OEM manual says Type C for the LU lube. Are the premuim blend and HiVis that you recommend better then this type?

 

[Fifty]

Re: johnson 40 sea horse

Thanks for the info. Its a big relief.

 

[Pony]

Re: johnson 40 sea horse

cyberodie-
Type "C" and the premium blend that Paul mentioned are the same. The HiVis/90wt he mentioned is what you would use in a mechanical shift.