Twin 1957 Johnson 18hp FDE-11 Motors

[riddert]

I just picked up a couple of FDE-11 motors. These were a matched set since new and run on a 21foot boat. Hard to believe they were pushing such a large boat - I have no idea what kind of boat it was though.

Anyway, the motors are 100% complete and look really good - all original, very nice looking etc etc but have not been run for years.

Anyway, I started on the first engine and cleaned the carb and fuel system. Fuel line was completely plugged. I put it all back together and tried firing and after a couple of loud backfires it came right to life! I only let it run for a second becasue I didn't have water on it.

Now, I want to check out the lower unit gears. I took off the skeg and all looks good. No rust, no water etc. My question is can I just bolt the skeg back on or will I lose my seal? Should I use some sealer before putting back on? Granted I don't know yet if all the other seals are good but I don't want to replace yet until I try it out and know weather or not existing seals are good.

Also, one of the engines has a vintage four blade prop. I thought that was unusual but am thinking it was an attempt to change torque steer problems with the two motor set-up?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Twin 1957 Johnson 18hp FDE-11 Motors

you need to replace the spagetti gasket around the joint. make sure since they are a matched pair, that one is not counter rotating.

read this http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=299680

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Twin 1957 Johnson 18hp FDE-11 Motors

Agreed. That would be a sweet set-up if both motors check out okay and you get them running/purring again. If the LU seals are gone, you can reseal for not much $$$. You can also use Lubriplate 105 grease in the LU's if you don't like marine hypoid oil.

 

[riddert]

Re: Twin 1957 Johnson 18hp FDE-11 Motors

Well, I got one running already. I did use some sealer on the original spaghetti seal just so I could try it out. Figured I was going to drain the oil out after anyway to see if any water is present. Will do that later tonight.

Anyway, motor ran perfect. Started on the second pull - didn't bring a battery to use the e-start, but did try that on the stand and worked well.

BUT...the prop was spun...dang! Couldn't get it up to speed. I have never had one spun so didn't think to check it before hand.

Both engines rotate the prop shaft same direction. Must have been some torque steer I would think with the two motor setup. I have the other four blade that I am going to try out but I am not sure that prop isn't too big for this engine. Never saw a four blade on an 18hp. Blade sizes are about the same size as the three blade with about the same pitch and diameter - maybe a little less.

What do you guys think about this prop? Ever see one? It is an antique for sure...

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Twin 1957 Johnson 18hp FDE-11 Motors

Lets see some pictures please!

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Twin 1957 Johnson 18hp FDE-11 Motors

make sure since they are a matched pair, that one is not counter rotating.

I think that its pretty safe to say that he isn't going to find a 1957 18hp OMC motor that is counter-rotating.



???

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Twin 1957 Johnson 18hp FDE-11 Motors

I have many 18's and have never had a 4 blade prop. Would be interested in seeing how it runs. In fact I was out in one of my 18's today with my little one.

 

[riddert]

Re: Twin 1957 Johnson 18hp FDE-11 Motors

Here is a pic of motor number one. It's twin is still being worked on and apart right now. Thought I would wait until it is done...but will look just as hood if not better than this one!

BTW...I ran this motor with the four blade prop. Not much of a hole shot but it got up on plane with it OK. I don't think I was getting all 4500 rpms with it on though. Looks like it should be on a 25 or 30hp instead of an 18hp.

One last thing...I decided I am going to sell these motors because I found another project. They are on KiJiJi and Ebay classifieds right now.

The pictures are at the link below. I tried numerours times to get the file size small enough to up load here but have been unsuccessful.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220499654895