Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

[iowa84]

Re: Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

Thanks steve I saw that one on ebay. It says 1950's fuel connector that will be ok for my 1957?

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

Is the fuel connector bad, or do you just need to replace the o-rings in it. Those babies aren't cheap.

Yes, that one on ebay is the correct one.

 

[iowa84]

Re: Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

All i know is it leaks and I got new o-rings and I cant figure out how to change them out

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

Search the forum. There's many thread on changing the O rings. It's pretty easy. I use dentists picks to pull out the old ones.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

yep, like Steve says. All you do to put the new ones in, is just push the center piece in the hole and the new o-ring will go in easy as pie.

 

[iowa84]

Re: Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

well that hurts, the boat company out here said to take a screw driver or needle nose to pull out the brass part so i did and the brass broke I have the new brass piece on it but i cant get the rest of it out. lesson learned I guess

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

What? They have no idea what they're talking about. That's too bad as those connectors are expensive. About $135 new! But nobody buys em new. If you have a local AOMCI chapter you can get them at one of their meets cheap. For testing you can direct connect the hoses if you want but not very convenient once on the boat.

 

[lindy46]

Re: Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

Or go to AOMCI.org and post a free want-ad on Webvertize.

 

[iowa84]

Re: Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

WOO HOO I got it, now soon as I get back out to the boat its time to start her up. One question though, I see on many videos of this motor running they always put it in a bucket of water, can I just hook muffs up to this or will it not work on this model?

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

Don't put muffs on it. Put it in a BARREL of water so that the water level is about 3 or 4 inches below the exhaust relief in the midsection, or it won't prime and you'll think your water pump isn't working.

 

[iowa84]

Re: Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

alright thank you

 

[iowa84]

Re: Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

Replaced the o-ring on the fuel side, I don't think that the air part of the connector is leaking so I left that be for the moment. I still can't start the motor I will kick over for the first 2 pulls like it's right on the edge of starting after those 2 pulls it doesn't kick over it just does the normal sound if you were to pull the motor with no gas. AFTER I do the couple pulls I have to wait a minute before trying to start it again to get the kick from the motor. I have not cleaned the carb yet would that have anything to do with this problem? I sprayed some starting fluid into it a couple times and it acts like its gonna pop right off. I have to clean the carb i know i do SOMEBODY PLEASE just tell me a list of things to do.
O-ring on the fuel side - done
New spark plugs gaged to .35- done
coil check - done


If I can't get it started after I clean the carb then I will probably have to either sell it, trade it or part it out. If anybody loves this motor I would be willing to trade for a fully functional working motor. 15 hp or more only I am willing to throw in a little extra money for it. I don't have much money since the baby came but I have always wanted a boat and got it and now I am too anxious to get out on the River and get me some Catfish

 

[jsimmons1970]

Re: Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

Iowa84, don't give up it's just gonna take time and patience. Have you did a compression check? Sure the coils are good? And points aren't pitted/burnt or out of adjustment? Sounds like you may have a ignition problem to me.http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/07/columns/max/articles.htm about reviving the old twins. I found it to be quite helpful plus just downright interesting reading.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

Don't give up. Clean the carb, that works most of the time, assuming you have good spark. And dont use quick start as there's no lubrication in it. Spray in 24:1 pre mix if anything. read the top secret thread at the top of the forum under awakening a sleeping outboard. They're easy to get going. Keep trying!

 

[iowa84]

Re: Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

THANK YOU EVERYONE THIS MOTOR RUNS LIKE A CHAMP NOW!!! Cleaned the carb but it seemed very clean but I still cleaned every needle hole in it. And what I believe was the real problem is.. The nobs on the front of the motor that make the needles go in or out, the bolt thing that the needle goes through was way to tight and it would not let the needles move I would turn the nob and only the nob moved nothing else, I can not believe I did not notice that in the first place. I few adjustments and a couple pulls later it was runnin and runnin good. Now tomorrow I am taking it out to see how she goes but I will not run her hard until I know she is goin good.
I do greatly appeciate all the help and if it wasn't my motor I would have had more fun with it, I can say though I think I found a new hobby.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

Good, good.....you're addicted now. Now go out and see if you can find a matching 5 1/5 and 35 to go along with that 18.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

Excellent. You're on your way to many engines now!

 

[Steve A W]

Re: Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

Can ya say "Oh What a Feeling"!!!
Let Me know how it moves that 16' jon so I know what to expect
When I get Mine going.
Congrats and good motering!
Steve A W

 

[iowa84]

Re: Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

OH NO!!! lol another bump in the road! today went to take it out on the water and nothing it didn't even begin to kick off.. all i can do is laugh at this point. checked for spark and one of the spark plugs had spark but the other one did not so apparently the coils were worse off than i was told. gonna replace them soon as i get some. How do I get to them and replace them i tried to take the fly wheel off but it wouldnt move..

 

[BassBlaster29]

Re: Just got a 1957 18hp johnson seahorse

You have to get that flywheel off, you'll need a puller. Check out the top secret file. Theres lots of good info in there. Its been quite helpful to me. I just replaced my entire ignition system. After you get that flywheel off, you might as well just replace everything while your in there. That way you know its done and your not going back in there every few months to replace what you didnt replace this time. They are all inexspensive parts and easy to change. I was able to get everything I needed right here on iboats except my plug wires. I got them at laingsoutboards but was told you can get them at NAPA. Good luck and keep us updated!!