Thinking of getting a boat

[simbot]

I'm interested in getting a 1957 johnson 35hp 15footer, one thing is that the guy I'm buying it from isn't sure if its the lower unit sized or one of the pistons. I haven't had a chance to see it yet, just pics. He had new points put in it and had it tuned up by a professonal in the season. I'm getting it for what apears to be a really good price, 250.00cdn. Its all there lights all work speedo too. The motors prop does turn by hand and he said he can't pull start it which sound odd. Wouldn't a siezed piston sieze the drive too and same with the lower end being sized. The fello is quite honest and he said it was running great before it happeend. He also mentioned that when it happened it started to idle funny as he was comming into dock he heard a sreehing sound from the motor then he tried starting it and would not restart he then paddled in and he hasn't looked at it again. My question is this can I get parts for this thing still, like piston kits and any ideas on what might it be. He is not mechanical and I race dirt bikes and tore down a few. So should I pusue it.

Thanks newbe.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Thinking of getting a boat

Drop the lower unit and turn the flywheel.
Or pull the cylinder head & take a look.
Pretty good price for a boat & trailer alone.

welcome to iboats!

 

[simbot]

Re: Thinking of getting a boat

Thanks for the reply will do.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Thinking of getting a boat

Drop the lower unit and turn the flywheel.
Or pull the cylinder head & take a look.
Pretty good price for a boat & trailer alone.

He never mentioned a trailer. But it's a good price for a boat and motor. And I agree, drop the lower unit and then see which is seized.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Thinking of getting a boat

That motor sounds like more trouble than it's worth. I'd have to really like the boat and if it didn't come with a trailer, I prob. wouldn't buy it. If it does have a trailer, then that is a really good price if the boat is in reasonable shape. How about posting a pic of the rig? I think if you did get it, that I would look for either a used powerhead or a used lower unit, whichever was bad. That would probably be a lot cheaper than replacing with new parts even if you replaced them yourself. Definitely sounds like an interesting deal, though! And I like those 57 35's!
JMO,
JBJ

 

[simbot]

Re: Thinking of getting a boat

Here are some pics and yes the trailer comes with it. He also said the rivets on the front of the boat are kind of loose and he figured it was from driving on a dirt road at his cabin. View attachment 13102

View attachment 13103

 

[The-Machinist]

Re: Thinking of getting a boat

Seems to run pretty good for being seized

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Thinking of getting a boat

I really, really like it. And that's not just a johnson 35, it's a johnson 35 SUPER seahorse! the top-of-the-line johnson. Not that it will run any better than the regular 35 bigtwin, but it sure is neat. You can always fix the rivets. That's what I was thinking too! I want one of those siezed engines that runs like that!
Anyway, I'd probably buy it for 250 also......
How about a "at present" pic with it on the trailer??
Cool rig..
JBJ

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Thinking of getting a boat

That's a great deal and rig. I would snap it up. Then separate the LU as mentioned to see what the issue is.

Also, it looks like a '58 with the script writing on the side of the engine. What model #is it?

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Thinking of getting a boat

Hey that boat looks just like my Whitehouse runabout. Is that a Whitehouse brand hull? It is nearly the same color except mine is solid and doesn't have the white in front.

Although I don't know what how Canadian cash equals out to American cash. I would still jump fast on that rig!!!! Before you know it it will be gone. Those 35hp are tough motors, that motor must of had allot of use or maybe it hasn't been kept up like it should have been. You might want to ask the owner what type of fuel to oil ratio he has been using in it, it should be 24 to 1.

Good luck.

 

[simbot]

Re: Thinking of getting a boat

Well thanks for the replys guys I am still not too sure, I went to have a look for my self and the two by four that the motor mounts to is rotten and a buddy of mine that nows alittle about boats said the lower unit was siezed. We pulled a bolt from the bottem side of the prop and water came out. Then we couldn't get the funny shaped bolt back in I think it was holding something in side the lower unit, my buddy thought it was the drain. Second the motor seemed like itwas moving, like i could pull the rope a bit then it would stop like something was holding it so I don't think its the power head. I sure liked it but my buddy said it was not worth even a hundred bucks because it needed way too much work. I don't think the whole transom was rotten just the two by four brace under the motor mount. he stuck a slotted srewdriver right threw. I kind of was pissed at the guy for doing that and the screw thing that he couldn't get back in. My question is should I still pursue the trailer was decent, needs paint and some of the lenses are broken and the wiring needs to be re done and the back board needs to be fixed can it be done with braces. I noticed the board also was fiberglassed on the inside of the boat does the intire boat need to be fiberglassed coated and if I left that board lone and repainted it will it start leaking?

Not sure what to do?

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Thinking of getting a boat

Hmmm... doesn't sound like as good a deal anymore but still a deal.

Your buddy doesn't know too much about engines as he removed the phillips head shifter screw instead of the slotted drain screw. It can be tricky to get em back in.

It really all depends on how much time you want to put into the rig. If you have little money and lots of time then it's not a bad project. But if you have money and little time then it's not a great project.

 

[simbot]

Re: Thinking of getting a boat

I do have little money but alot of time so it don't sound all that bad. My buddy said that the newer outboards have them on the side and he had never seen one that old before. More pics.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Thinking of getting a boat

Your pictures are so tiny they are hard to see.

 

[simbot]

Re: Thinking of getting a boat

Sorry they were from the ad and I can't change them.

thanks for replying

 

[simbot]

Re: Thinking of getting a boat

Well I got the boat, its my first one and I know it'll be a challenge. I have the original parts manual for it with parts numbers. Its a 1958 superseahorse the boat says it was made by Moorehead Plastics Company, he said he had been mixing 50 to 1. I"ve seperated the LU and the Powerhead pulls no problem so the pistons are not siezed. Now I've carefully dissasembed the lower drive and found the main drive axel sezed in the bearing everything else looks good except the bearings. On the axel where its sezed there is a top cap a seal then a bushing inside the case are some small needle bearings a bushing a larger bottem bearing and so on, my question is where is a good place to start to get parts after I push the axel back out from the bottem out?

Thanks

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Thinking of getting a boat

I sent you a PM.

I personally don't know where you can find lower unit parts, but , check the PM.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Thinking of getting a boat

You'll be way ahead getting a complete used lower unit, especially if you've never rebuilt one. Make sure to do a complete water pump before reassembly.

Try iboats.com, www.twincityoutboard.com, or www.americanoutboard.com

And keep your boat buddy away from the deal ...

 

[simbot]

Re: Thinking of getting a boat

I dissasembled the lower unit and found a lot of water damage and rust. The small needle bearings just below the water pump pilled up and litteraly fused to the shaft, I couldn't brass punch it off. So I'm milling down to shaft size to clean her up. All she needs was a good cleaning and new bearings and seals. The water pump is now clean and the rubber impeller looks new, no cracks and not dried out. This is going well now I need parts and maybe sand blast the old paint off the exterior and repaint while i wait for parts. Anyone have a good paint brand for these L.U.?

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Thinking of getting a boat

Simbot,
If you had only said he had been running it 50:1 earlier! That's a big-time no-no. I guess you're going to be able to tell us for sure just how good the new tcw-3 oils are. That motor is made for 24:1 with tcw-3 oil and shouldn't be run without that mixture. You need to check the compression on it before you invest any money in it. Be sure to do the check properly with the plugs out and pull the starter cord until the pressure stops rising. And don't get too discouraged unless one cylinder is a lot different from the other. (I'm sure you already know all this but a lot of folks get crazy numbers and get all upset) I've only had one bad powerhead on 10 or 12 used 50's motors.
Just a suggestion--you might consider locating a used lower unit for that motor (after checking compression) because if you don't know what to look for on the gear ears and clutch dog, you won't know that it is actually bad. It takes very little rounding on that dog to ruin it and it's a common problem. Also, if the prop and drive shaft aren't the right thickness, smooth, and have the right hardness, you're going to have leaks. I'd think it would be very expensive to get a lower unit right that's in as bad shape as you describe. The rust probably has the gears and bearings pitted also.
Not to be a spoiled sport, but between the 50:1 gas, boogered up lower unit, etc. --you probably mentioned a few of the worst things I can think of in a used motor. But don't be totally discouraged, they are just machines and can be fixed, and there's plenty of cheap powerheads and lower units out there. You should be able to find the stuff you need without getting to far into it on cash. I'm only being a little negative (o.k.-a lot) on it so you won't spend your dough trying to fix stuff the most expensive way. please don't reuse the water pump impeller, although if it looks and feels as good as you say, you might try it to make a few short runs in the test tank to see if your motor runs at least. You sure don't want to get it all fixed up and the impeller fail and blow your powerhead. As for the transom, prepare to replace the whole thing--not an area to be weak.
Please understand that I just want to give you a little info so you can fix it as cheap as possible---I have to squeeze as much fun out of a dollar as I can, too!
Good luck and try to post some more pics,
JBJ