1966 40 HP Johnson Sea Horse

[ober51]

I am getting a free 1966 40 HP Johnson Sea Horse. This woman doesn't know much about it but the guy who sold her the boat last year says it ran well the year before. The only thing missing is the prop taken by the neighbor, who said the motor has good compression. She is giving it away for free and seems like she is being honest, so I have no reason to think she's lying.

My question is whether I should try and get this thing running or sell it. I wouldn't mind putting a few bucks into it to see if it runs, but what are your thoughts? How much do props run? I looked through a couple posts and saw that the motor might be made by Chrysler, is that right? I looked on boats.net and outboardrepairs.com but they only go back to 1968 and don't have any help on my specific motor. Any other places I can look?

 

[bassboy1]

That motor isn't going to be worth too much, so don't put much money into it. However, it does have the makings of being a very reliable outboard. Because the 40s were modernized much later than the 50 and above horsepower motors, you can get parts for that off many of the mid 70s motors, as well as from motors back into the late 50s.

 

[Loggerhead Mike]

its freeeeeeeeeee get it!

every motor doesnt need a carb build and impeller. some cleaning and alittle bit of jerry riggin will usually get one running

if it needs more than you care to put in it sell it for some weekend money. i wouldnt worry about a prop untill you decide if your going to keep it. they're pretty cheap anyway

 

[ober51]

I picked it up today - looks in decent shape, no cracks on any part of the motor other than the fin plate. The woman said the guy who sold it to her turned the key and it cranked on, but shut it down after a second because it wasn't in water. I am just not sure where to begin with this thing, though.

 

[bassboy1]

I am just not sure where to begin with this thing, though.

Very simple. Build a stand that will allow you to run it in a barrel. Then, put it in the barrel, and try to run it. If it starts, well then, there ya go. If not, then we can determine the symptoms to see if it is a fuel or spark related problem, and go from there.

 

[ober51]

I am just not sure where to begin with this thing, though.

Very simple. Build a stand that will allow you to run it in a barrel. Then, put it in the barrel, and try to run it. If it starts, well then, there ya go. If not, then we can determine the symptoms to see if it is a fuel or spark related problem, and go from there.

Haha. I guess that's a start. I would like to try and hook up the controls it came with...though the gas tank looks old and rusty, should I try that or buy another one?

I guess it's a good time to just admit I know nothing about outboards, haha. I'll have to post some pics tomorrow so you can help me identify and point me in the right direction.

 

[CarlF]

That old gas tank probably has a layer of rust, water & gelled fuel/oil in the bottom. A new tank is a cheap investment vs cleaning the entire fuel system after is sucks a pile of junk!
Plus you will know you have fresh water-free fuel when you crank it.

 

[bassboy1]

Do you already have a tank for your Yamaha? If so, and you plan on keeping it (Yamaha), just put a Yamaha fitting on the 40. Or, get you a new fuel hose, and put a Yamaha fitting on one side (to plug into your tank), and a Johnson/Evinrude fitting on the other (to fit the 40 horse), and just use your yamaha tank. Both run 50:1, so you are just fine there.

 

[ober51]

Do you already have a tank for your Yamaha? If so, and you plan on keeping it (Yamaha), just put a Yamaha fitting on the 40. Or, get you a new fuel hose, and put a Yamaha fitting on one side (to plug into your tank), and a Johnson/Evinrude fitting on the other (to fit the 40 horse), and just use your yamaha tank. Both run 50:1, so you are just fine there.

I sold the Yamaha yesterday, haha. Someone offered basically double what I bought it for, so I figure that would free me up for something bigger to buy. I am going to need to get a tank and fuel line, likely from West Marine, which stinks, since Boater's World is closing. But this is going to have to wait, because I just wiped the boat down with acetone and Steel Flex is begging to be put on.

 

[bassboy1]

Walmart or Kmart might have the tank you need. Depending on the season, ours carries 3 and 6 gallon Tempo tanks, as well as fuel lines and fittings.

 

[CarlF]

Got my last tank at WallyWorld, they had multiple brands of fittings too.

 

[ober51]

Got my last tank at WallyWorld, they had multiple brands of fittings too.

We don't have the real deal Wally Worlds up here in Jersey, way too densely populated in Bergen County.

 

[ober51]

Went to West Marine and bought the gas tank (6 gallon) for 20 bucks, not bad. The fuel line was much more expensive, as was the fitting for the gas tank.

Did I need the fitting, or would the old fitting have worked? And did I need to buy the fitting for the motor, replacing the old one? I decided not to buy the motor one, but bought the one for the tank. Being so new at this, I don't wanna mess up but also don't wanna buy things unnecessarily either!

 

[ober51]

Here are some pictures, maybe this will help

 

[ober51]

Last pic

 

[CarlF]

I would think the fittings should be fine as long as they arent broke. Just clean them up a little before you re-use.

 

[ober51]

I would think the fittings should be fine as long as they arent broke. Just clean them up a little before you re-use.

That's what I am going to do - and bring back the ones I bought. A couple questions, would it be a decent investment if I foung a similar motor (same HP, within a couple years) for like 50 bucks to use as a parts motor? I figured that would make some sense if I wanted to keep it?

Also, and this is probably a stupid question, but if it is electric start, what kind of battery do I need to start it? I have a Die Hard deep cycle group 27, would that work? No right, since it has to have starting capacity? So what type of battery should I try and get?

What is the cable that is cut from that box?

 

[Zum]

Having another outboard for parts is a great idea,as long as there compatable and you have a place to store it.
Alot of deep cycle batteries have enough cranking amps to start outboards.
Check your battery and see if it tells you how many cranking amps it has.
I bet it's enough.

 

[CarlF]

There are two types of deep cycles: straight up deep cycle meant for trolling motors and marine starting batteries. The starting batteries are sort of a hybrid, IMO, starting amps with reserve juice to run the live well, sonar, etc.., for ext time. Most regular deep cycles will have plenty of juice to start a motor.

 

[ober51]

Ok, so what do I have to do to get this at least set up to run. I figure I will hook up the black and red wires to my battery. Then what? It's simple, stupid questions, but what next? Where do I start it? What do I push? How do I get to see if it cranks, fires, etc?

Ok so is this motor compatible with mine? He just emailed me his model and serial: Model# RDSL-22; serial # 2046389
Mine: RK-RKL-28 Is his a 1960? That's what the internet seems to tell me https://www.old-omc.de/johnson.html

Are these parts interchangeable? And is compression easy to do (need more info than in the sticky, since I am a noob at this stuff) with my motor if mine requires electric start?