Which motor is worth fixing up?

[freeisforme]

Over the last few months I picked up two motors, one a 1958 Johnson FD12, the other a 1960 Evinrude Fastwin 18hp
The FD12 has great compression, the owner quit using it because the lower unit leaked oil after getting some fishing line behind the prop.
The Evinrude, was a low hour motor that the owner suddenly found had two frozen clamp screws and a few other issues.
They appear very similar, and I'd like to make one from the pair. My question is whether to build it as 58 Johnson or the 60 Evinrude?
I'm leaning toward the Evinrude, mostly because I liked the easier to open cover vs the awkward contraption clam shell style on the FD12. (I can just picture having to fiddle with that thing in the water and dropping it, never to see it again. The fiberglass shell of the Evinrude just lifts right off like a more modern motor. The 1960 Evinrude also uses a normal fuel tank.

I checked the compression on each motor, the FD12 has 88/89 psi on both cylinders, the Fastwin has 85/87 psi both using a Matco compression tester, using my Snap On tester both gave slightly higher results. Both motors got a shot of oil and about ten pulls before testing compression
Both lower units had clean oil but the FD12 had some oiliness around the prop shaft. Both have what appear to be new or minty perfect props.

Is any one of them more desirable for any particular reason, other than the fact that the 1960 Evinrude uses a normal fuel tank? (I can convert the FD12 too).

The power head seems easier to get at on the Evinrude, there's better access to lower parts of the power head because of the wider pan. The paint on the 1960 Evinrude is better, the Johnson is well faded.

Are the lower units the same? both are 5 bolt style so I'm pretty sure they will bolt up but am not sure about the shaft splines and driveshaft length?

I have a bag of impellers if needed and a box of J8C spark plugs, and a pair of later style plastic coils so I can make one of these run without spending any money its just a matter of which one.

 

[Pappy]

On either one of these engines you will have some work cut out for you. Both or either will need to have the shift rod Oring replaced...period. They pretty much all leak and will be the primary source of an oil leak. Not hard to do but the gearcase will have to be split to do it.
Secondly both are 24:1 engines no matter what Cletus or boat ramp Billy tell you about how much better today's oils are. Both are solid runners and are super dependable. You will need to change coils and condensers and possibly wires while under there. Use a J6C spark plug. The J8 is pretty hot and not needed. The engine originally came with J4J and the J6 is perfect.
Purchase an OEM carb kit as the new gasket will be alcohol resistant. Kit will come with float as well as needle and seat. I have several 18hp engines and absolutely love them. I just did one for a friend and put it on YouTube on my channel. This one starts with the first cylinder, not even a complete revolution is needed. This one is also running on 24:1...note the lack of any heavy smoke.

 

[freeisforme]

I pulled the Evinrude apart first, the coils both look new, but the top cylinder's plug wire was pulled back from the coil. It appears to just get shoved onto the pin sticking out of the coil?
The 58 has one new plastic coil and one wax coil, the wax coil is dead.
I figured I'd reseal which ever lower unit I decide to use. The lower on the Evinrude looks cleaner, and passes the pressure test as is, but I've got a box marked LU parts, I found a new shift rod bushing/oring, a top seal, a prop seal, new o ring gasket, and pair of new drain plugs. I figured I'd tear down the lower unit off the Evinrude, strip and paint it to match the Johnson and respray the whole 58 motor with some new lettering on the cowl. If not, I can.
After a pulling apart the 58, I see to fix both, I need one coil, I've got a bag of condensers from Sierra that should be fine, and both engines have what looks to be new points,
The 58 will need the fuel pump added, and I have a new pump so I figured I could just ad the ports and set it up like the 1960 model?

I have the two new coils, so one motor will get both new coils, and maybe I'll put the best used pair on the other motor.

Does the compression sound normal for one of these? its a lot lower than I'm used to seeing on other, (newer) motors, but it feels pretty strong when pulling the rope.

The 1960 Evinrude looks like the easier fix but the 58 is a better match for the old boat I want to run it on.
I think the 58 has been repainted, the power head and pan underneath a burnt orange color while the outside is more purple metallic. I need to find the right color to match the original colors. Is there anything close off the shelf without paying $14 a can at the marina?