WBeaton or F-R or Samott.....'56 30hp

[jbjennings]

Fellers,
I've got myself a '56 30hp with electric start and electric choke (johnson). I can't find what I'm looking for in the search mode, so I was wondering if you could refresh my memory on any weaknesses I should consider addressing on this model. ------You're not going to believe this, but one of the coils was cracked and broken all to pieces!
Just a note, also, I got a '57 18hp which has 125psi on both cylinders---the highest I've ever measured on a '57 18hp! I'm really pleased. Haven't tested compression on the 30 yet, but it is supposed to be great and I expect it will be. Will post pics soon. The 18 actually has good coils! Cranked up and ran fine and I didn't have to do a thing.
Thanks for the info,
JBJ​

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: WBeaton or F-R or Samott.....'56 30hp

Carbs, coils, wires.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: WBeaton or F-R or Samott.....'56 30hp

I can't add much that you don't already know, Jason. That's a pretty good engine with the bigger lower unit. The electrical system is 6V. 12V will power the starter fine for short periods, but will smoke the choke solenoid in a hurry. A 12V solenoid from a 1957 and newer motor will work fine. You will also need a 12V starter solenoid. Pretty much the same as your 25 hp Big Twin, but with a better lower unit. I'll send you the 1956 Javelin parts manual. Do you have the wiring diagram?

No compression release valve.

 

[steelespike]

Re: WBeaton or F-R or Samott.....'56 30hp

Maybe you were being sarcastic but cracked, discolored, weeping coils are common on these motors that haven't had them replaced.Something to look out for. Coils are readily available right here at iboats.As with most outboards that may have been sitting fuel system usually needs cleaning/repair.These use a twin hose pressure tank they work fine but are expensive
to buy and the motor end connector is really expensive.Motors can be converted to single line system.If you don't know the condition of the impeller you should change it.If you check out the waking a sleeping outboard stickie you'll be well covered.
All those old style gearcases are usually pretty leaky.

 

[F_R]

Re: WBeaton or F-R or Samott.....'56 30hp

jb, I'm trying to think of something that applies to your question. Known weaknesses, that is. Actually, they are pretty tough motors with few faults other than the normal stuff you already expect. If there is an engine killer lurking, it probably would be the exhaust cover baffle plate. The original aluminum ones would get holes in them and squirt water in through the exhaust ports. The stainless replacements are fine. You can tell which one you have by the thickness that you see between the gaskets. Aluminum is about 1/8", stainless is about as thick as a credit card.

They'll also burn the upper shift rod in two and the shifter clevis inside the housing comes loose. And the hole that the shifter handle shaft goes through eats away and gets sloppy loose too.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: WBeaton or F-R or Samott.....'56 30hp

Thanks guys,
THat's just what I was wanting to know. I'll be sure to check that baffle, F-R. Wayne, thanks also for the reminder about the 6 volt because I totally forgot about that and I almost surely would have eventually hooked it up 6 volt and fried it. I'm going to see about putting a resistor in the circuit from radio shack for the choke solenoid and just try the starter like it is without cranking it too long with 12 volts. I'm also going to scope out the starter housing and hopefully it was changed over to 12 volt at some time.
Steelespike, Thanks for your response as well. I always laugh my rear off at the coils I see in those 50's motors. I actually somewhat prefer to see an old, originl coil on used motor I buy because in my mind, I'm visualizing someone having trouble with their motor running on one cylinder after 8 or 10 years of low hrs. use, and then putting it up for 40 or 50 yrs. instead of fixing it. BOth of these motors were from NOrthern USA and although the appearance is far from new, they are in good shape. I bought them from a trusted outboard dealer and they were just as he described them, as usual. If anyone up in Wisconsin needs their motor worked on, pm me and I'd be happy to steer you their way. They're good guys.
JBJ

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: WBeaton or F-R or Samott.....'56 30hp

jbjennings looking for answers? I always thought you were one of the experts here with all your restored classics you have.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: WBeaton or F-R or Samott.....'56 30hp

jbjennings looking for answers? I always thought you were one of the experts here with all your restored classics you have.

NOT SO!!! However, I'm pretty good at paying close attention to people who are. Everything I've learned about old outboards I learned from guys like F-R, WBeaton, Samott, and others here and some real experts on the aomci.org forum as well.
There are a lot of helpful folks here. I really treasure this forum, and am glad to be a part of it.
Thanks,
JBJennings

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: WBeaton or F-R or Samott.....'56 30hp

Yea, they're great guys with great answers, but your work is quite impressive as far as I can see.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: WBeaton or F-R or Samott.....'56 30hp

Well.........
Both the '57 18hp and '56 30hp are running great! The '56 needed a carb. cleaning and one coil----pretty typical. It idles really nice for a 2-stroke 30hp outboard----which shows the 135psi of compression on each cylinder is working well. Both of these powerheads are in my opinion, in the best condition that I've ever had in a 50's OMC outboard (125psi on the '57 18hp). I'm really pleased with them. I will say that I DO NOT want to pull start a '56 30hp johnson!!!! Without a doubt, it is the hardest motor to pull start I've ever seen. I've pull started a 65hp mercury with an emergency rope and it was easier to pull through than this thing. It's quite obvious that someone at OMC noticed this and put the compression release on the 35hp model the next year. Luckily, the electric start kicks it off quickly.
Now on to checking the lower units and probably resealing them, then wiring the 30hp up for electric start and controls.
F-R, I noticed I had the original aluminum baffle plate. This being a WIsconsin motor and unlikely to have seen salt water, do you think it's worth pulling the exhaust cover?
Also, I believe I may paint and put new decals on the 30hp, leaving the powerhead paint original since it shows the condition, and leaving the '57 18 alone as far as paint. Any input on that?
Thanks for the responses,
JBJennings

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: WBeaton or F-R or Samott.....'56 30hp

Just picked up a 1958 Johnson JW-14 and an 1957 Evinrude 15020 today. Both for 85 bucks.

 

[cougar1985]

Re: WBeaton or F-R or Samott.....'56 30hp

Gotta love those 57/58 johnny,s (18hp)in my extremely humble opion one of the best motors ever made period!Just for future reference jb the clutch dog is still available and is omc part number 0375783,also impeller and pump housing are the same as 1970 33 evinrude (for your 30hp ).i have the 30hp(had this one )the 18hp johnny and the 1970 33rude and the 25 hp big twin,all fine motors for sure.As an added bonus when i bought my 30hp it had the mechanically adjustable prop on it which comes in real handy and works just fine on the 33 to boot!

 

[F_R]

Re: WBeaton or F-R or Samott.....'56 30hp

Well.........
F-R, I noticed I had the original aluminum baffle plate. This being a WIsconsin motor and unlikely to have seen salt water, do you think it's worth pulling the exhaust cover?
Thanks for the responses,
JBJennings

Your choice. It does look like a nice low hours motor. Do you have the silencer?

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: WBeaton or F-R or Samott.....'56 30hp

Hey JBJ...nice finds. No need to touch that 18 IMO...looks good as is. If you don't have a silencer for your big twin and need one, let me know...I have two gathering dust in the shop. I don't pull start big twins either, too rough on the bones/ligaments...unless you pull the recoil and wrap a rope on the flywheel and notch...the outside diameter of the flywheel makes the diff.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: WBeaton or F-R or Samott.....'56 30hp

Hey F-R,
Yes, I do have the air silencer and it's a MONSTER!!
I also have the lifting bar for it so the motor is basically complete except for the electrical parts like the solenoid and wiring harness, which I will make myself.

Cougar, thanks for the info on the clutch dog. I didn't know they still sold them for the '57 models. I've never seen a mechanically adjustable prop---pretty handy for sure!

Later,
JBJ

 

[cougar1985]

Re: WBeaton or F-R or Samott.....'56 30hp

Hey F-R,
Yes, I do have the air silencer and it's a MONSTER!!
I also have the lifting bar for it so the motor is basically complete except for the electrical parts like the solenoid and wiring harness, which I will make myself.

Cougar, thanks for the info on the clutch dog. I didn't know they still sold them for the '57 models. I've never seen a mechanically adjustable prop---pretty handy for sure!

Later,
JBJ

JB, the part number is for your 56 30 hp!though im sure you could proably get them for latter years (18hp).

 

[samo_ott]

Re: WBeaton or F-R or Samott.....'56 30hp

Hey... I'm just catching up on threads after coming back from the sunny Carribean... Good scoop Jason... did you really get it sent down from Wi? That cant be cheap. I have the same '56 J30 in the shed. Also picked up a '58 E35 manual start tiller late in the fall. Must be nice to be able to work on em all year long... It has a stripped plug hole so I'm looking for a head for it.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: WBeaton or F-R or Samott.....'56 30hp

If you want to color match the 30hp hood to the rest of the motor, try these guys - they are very good. Your buddy in WI probably knows them. Just pull one of the smaller parts off of the motor and send it to them. They are very good about not losing stuff and they will color match the part to the paint that they mix. You can order the custom mix in either a regular can for use with a spray gun, or in a spray can.

http://www.towerpaint.com/



???

 

[soundchaser]

Re: WBeaton or F-R or Samott.....'56 30hp

Where the hell did you find an 18hp 57 that clean? That thing will out live us all. They'll be mixing drinks with that thing at your funeral. I had one of those 18's in 1975 and it wasn't as clean as that.

 

[cougar1985]

Re: WBeaton or F-R or Samott.....'56 30hp

Where the hell did you find an 18hp 57 that clean? That thing will out live us all. They'll be mixing drinks with that thing at your funeral. I had one of those 18's in 1975 and it wasn't as clean as that.

i would say it depends on where the motors live,up here there,s lots of 18 johnnyrudes around still.i myself have 3 ,one daily runner and 2 parts motors .had a guy with a brand new etec stop me last summer and complement me on how great my motor ran and when i told him the year he was stunned!lucky for me, mine is a one pull wonder!