Year? HP? How to start?

[Overcoil]

Hi all,

I'm sorry to ask so many questions, but I'm stuck! I recently bought a 12 ft jon boat that came with a Johnson Seahorse outboard motor. It's green, the model is OD-16 and serial # is 1238370. Can you please tell me what year and horsepower it is? I know it's got a pressurized gas tank, but I'm not sure the proper starting sequence. Can anyone tell me how to start it? Do I need to do anything with the gas tank like prime it or pump it or something?
Big thanks for any information you can provide!

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Year? HP? How to start?

It's QD-16. That's a 1955 10hp. 24:1 mixture.

Has it been used recently? Or is it coming out of storage?

If it's been used recently pump the primer button on the tank, pull the choke, turn throttle to start and pull until it goes. (and make sure the tank cap is tight as the tank must build up pressure when running unlike later single line tanks where it could be run without the cap)

If not used for awhile, search for 'awakening an outboard' on this forum and read it.

It's a great engine. I have a QD-13 (or 14) and several later 10's from '57 on...

If you know nothing about the engine the first thing to do is check the compression.

Oh, and welcome to iBoats.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Year? HP? How to start?

Welcome to iboats. Could that be perhaps CD-16. If it is it would be a 5.5hp 1959. Pre mix 24:1. Check here on the FAQ for a "Cold Starting Procedure" thread.

May also want to look into replacing the impeller if this is a new motor to you.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Year? HP? How to start?

The '59 5.5hp is white fibreglass. I'm pretty sure it's a QD.

Edit: does it look like this?

old-omc.de/j_1955/seite_04_05.jpg

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Year? HP? How to start?

I would never think of contradicting you Steve,I was typing at the same time, and dont know why the CD came to mind first over QD. Listen to Samo Overcoil, he has more of these vintage outboards than I have underwear

 

[tomh59]

Re: Year? HP? How to start?

Fill a barrel with water and submerge the leg over the water intake.
Don't try and start it without it being in water to cool it.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Year? HP? How to start?

Actually you want the water over the water pump level which is higher than the intake.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Year? HP? How to start?

Its green so it must be a QD-16 10 hp. Check the coils. Unless they have been changed they are shot. Take off the engine cover and recoil. On top of the flywheel there is an inspection plate. Remove the plate and look at the coils if they look lke the ones in the photo they are shot even if they aren't cracked. Clean and set points to .020 and gap Champion J6C plugs to .030. Also, change the impeller part number OMC 0775518 (Sierra 18-3002). If you need help post back.

When starting, prime the tank by pushing in the plunger on the tank. Yours should be a silver knob by the handle. Prime until firm. You will probably hear it and see it in the glass fuel filter on the engine. Pull out the choke, put the gear shifter in nuetral, turn the handle to start or until it stops and start pulling. A properly tuned motor will usually fire in a couple pulls. After it fires push the choke in. If it dies immediately, pull the cord again, but leave the choke in. If you flood it, remove the gas line, push in the choke and pull until it fires. If its sat awhile you may need to rebuild the carb.

You should also squirt a little oil in the cylinders before you try starting it to get things lubed up.

 

[Overcoil]

Re: Year? HP? How to start?

Gosh, you guys are great!!

I had forgotten to mention that it said "10" seahorse and it is a QD-16. Thank you so much for all the useful information and recommendations in terms of maintenance. I think I'll take it down and have it checked over at the local Johnson dealer.

Thanks again!

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Year? HP? How to start?

A lot of OMC places wont work on the older engines and they're real easy to work on yourself if you want to. And you save lots of money also. If you try, you can always use this forum for help.