Possible to know late 50s powerhead model info by serial#?

[joaklay]

Sorry if overdone but I know that with old Mercs, one can know year and more by the serial #. From what I've seen so far, it's not so easy with Johnson/Evinrude in comparison with old stuff (late 50s).<br /> I know that my outboard has a replacement powerhead but not sure as to exactly what I've got. According to my '57 18HP owners manual that I recently purchased, the serial #s on the blocks freeze plug and tag under model # should match. Mine don't. The tags serial # is 224213 and the blocks # is 1722161 (so should be newer).<br /> Anyone have specs that list anything by serial #s?

 

[Hooty]

Re: Possible to know late 50s powerhead model info by serial#?

I'm 'fraid we're gonna need a model nr. <br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Possible to know late 50s powerhead model info by serial#?

Hi Joakley,<br /> Johnson numbered their motors sequentially, with your block's serial number being a 1957 Johnson 18hp. The number on your tag doesn't fit with any Johnson or Evinrude series that would be compatible with that powerhead, unless - is it possible the tag on the clamps has a Canadian origin?<br /> Evinrudes up to 1980 had a 2-part model/serial number, where the first 4-5 digits were the model number, and the second series of numbers were the serial number of that model within a given year. For instance, #7518 - 0145 would be the 145th 7.5hp made in 1954. Johnson typically had a model number made up of letters and numbers (JW13, LD12, RD16, etc.) which designated the year. Their serial numbers were sequential, much like Mercury, with 001 being a prototype made in 1920/1921. Number one-million was made around 1950, and 2-million around 1958/1959. Your motor's block falls into the 1957 serial range for Johnsons, and should show evidence of being a red-bronze color, at least at one time.<br />- Scott

 

[G DANE]

Re: Possible to know late 50s powerhead model info by serial#?

Respect !!

 

[joaklay]

Re: Possible to know late 50s powerhead model info by serial#?

"unless - is it possible the tag on the clamps has a Canadian origin?"<br /><br /> Yep! The tag says Peterborough,Canada <br /><br /> Model #, FD-11<br /><br /> So, it's a Canadian made 18HP FD-11 with a Waukegan,IL made '57 18HP powerhead then right?<br /><br /> As for its paint color, it's been re-painted as has the entire outboard and looks like new but I can see white paint on parts of the powerhead that weren't covered by the reddish color. I'd guess that the white paint might be primer? As previously noted in another thread, no t-stat so it's not a '59 or newer 18 HP powerhead.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Possible to know late 50s powerhead model info by serial#?

Joakley said:<br />"So, it's a Canadian made 18HP FD-11 with a Waukegan,IL made '57 18HP powerhead then right?"<br /><br />Yepper! Sounds like '57 all around, just from two different sources. The Canadian version is identical, save for the ID tag differences, so there are zero compatibility issues.<br /><br />So, bottom line is you've got a 1957 Johnson FD-11 18hp top to bottom... I rebuilt a '58 version for my Dad a couple years back - great old motors!<br /><br />- Scott

 

[joaklay]

Re: Possible to know late 50s powerhead model info by serial#?

It is a nifty old outboard indeed. Thanks for all your help Chinewalker, much appreciated.