Johnson 6 HP - 1967 bearing type

[budgey]

I recently bought a 1967 Johnson 6 HP Model No CDL 24 D, made in Canada, on an on-line auction site, to replace the 1975 model I had stolen off the transom on a mooring.

It was running sweetly in the tank when I bought it. The vendor told me it has plain bearings. My previous outboards have all been newer than this and all had needle roller bearings as far as I was aware.

Question 1 - is this true?

Question 2 - I was intending to run it on synthetic outboard 2 stroke oil with a 50:1 mixture. Would this be OK with if it has plain bearings? It will be used as an auxiliary motor for a sailing boat so it won't be working at full speed to reach the 6 knot hull speed.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Johnson 6 HP - 1967 bearing type

that motor 50:1 is fine, all the J/E motors went to 50:1 in 1964-65.

 

[budgey]

Re: Johnson 6 HP - 1967 bearing type

Thanks for prompt answer. Even though I won't be using it for a couple of months yet, that puts my mind at rest.

Not that it matters, but does anyone know if Johnson motors of that vintage did still utilize plain main and big end bearings?

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Johnson 6 HP - 1967 bearing type

I have a 1965 Johnson 6hp, that I ran on Pennzoil semi-synthetic, at 50:1, for about five years. The application for the motor was somewhat unusual, in that I had it paired with another 6hp motor (1969 Johnson) on a 15 foot boat. Because the boat was being powered with only 12 total hp, the motors were run at WOT essentially all of the time, and were often run for as much as 10 hours a day. I had no trouble with either motor and the 1969 still serves me as a kicker for another boat.

 

[budgey]

Re: Johnson 6 HP - 1967 bearing type

Thanks - that's reassuring!

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Johnson 6 HP - 1967 bearing type

The 6hp of that vintage did have plain bearings on several journals. It had needles at the crank ends of the rods. All other bearings were bronze. However, 50:1 is fine IF you are using a good quality oil and IF you are running the thermostat.
- Scott

 

[budgey]

Re: Johnson 6 HP - 1967 bearing type

Good info. - the thermostat is in place. Think I'll take it out and test it in a pan of water on the stove, just to make sure.