Bernie Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 (edited) Last April FisherPete posted he had an old engine for sale, a 1955 25 HP Johnson. We swung a deal and the guys brought it up in May.I puttered with it once in a while since then. I noticed it had new ignition wires so I didn't bother to check the coils.The powerhead doesn't appear to ever been apart and it has good compression.The lower unit has been apart because the skeg is off of something newer. Checked the gear oil, no water, good sign.So I threw it on the test tank at the shop, hooked up the dual line fuel tank and primed it up. Fuel leak appeared immediately at the glass fuel filter. Pulled it off, cleaned the crud out of it.At this point I am figuring a carb overhaul. It's an electric start, kind of rare for this era, so I hooked up a battery and cranked it over. It sputtered a little bit but failed. Lightly tapped the carb a few times to unstick the needle and seat, opened up both jets to allow any crud that may be blocking them.Crank again, yep, she fired up. Gave the jets a quick adjustment, checked for water pump flow. Let it idle on the tank for a few minutes.It runs a little clanky like most of these 25's did, but it's running on two cylinders. Some of the noise may be due to the hood rubber mounts missing.I loaded it up and brought it out to the cottage. Took my 18 off and plunked it on the transom. It's a lot heavier than my old 18, it was all I could do to carry the dang thing.And thanks go to Pete and the fellas that brought it up! Edited July 23, 2014 by Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph Field Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Great to see it restored instead of it being scrapped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerry Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Remember my old 18.First one I worked on.Pain in the butt pressure tanks but they run forever.Sounds great Bernie! Kerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bacon Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 (edited) Looks like the exact same model that my dad had on his old cedar strip. Ironically, his motor was also a replacement for an 18 horsepower. Edited July 24, 2014 by JohnBacon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Cliff Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Oh that is so nice to hear! Great work Bernie! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Handlebarz Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Always nice to get some more life out of someone's scrap. I had 4 old motors I wanted to rebuild but after taking up floor space for a few years I found a new home for them I always wonder if they we brought back to life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeytier Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Very cool. I just purchased a late 60's model Viking 6 hp that runs quite well but I wish I had your talents for when things start to go sour. Maybe I'll make the drive south to powassan and pick yer brain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherpete Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Awesome to hear Bernie!!! Glad she fired up without too much fussin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outllaw Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 sweet were they 33-1 mix . if so I remember them days. mosquito,s were never an issue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhunter Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Nicely done Bernie...now you just need another cedar strip boat so you have a boat for each motor! HH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernie Posted July 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Nicely done Bernie...now you just need another cedar strip boat so you have a boat for each motor! HH Where would Will park his? I'd have to build another dock. Pete, any chance of the tiller handle for the engine be kicking around? I had to take one off of one of dads for the time being. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherpete Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 No, sorry Bernie, that's how it came when my dad bought the boat. Rigged up for the steering wheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 That thing really scoots along Bernie. NICE BTW You have deer on that island? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pidge Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Bloody hell that moves! I always had a soft spot for the old motors. The chrome, simplicity, paint etc. always like stopping by those guys from a club that set up shop at the sportsman show and such to show there restorations and such. Nice stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishnsled Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Where would Will park his? I'd have to build another dock. Pete, any chance of the tiller handle for the engine be kicking around? I had to take one off of one of dads for the time being. You might have to build another dock but I'd gladly lend a hand with that. Nice to see the old girl running, she flies!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey buoy Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Nice motor,she sure moves along.Great find!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freshtrax Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 I need to finish my giesler resto. Pronto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernie Posted July 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 Took it out for a good run this evening on calmer waters.Runs really well, and yes, it is quick. I'll GPS it to know for sure.It has a torque steer I'll need to address, it pulls pretty hard.This one is worthy for a paint restoration and new decals. It will be a good winter project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Cliff Posted July 26, 2014 Report Share Posted July 26, 2014 I'd be interested in hearing what you get on the GPS! Not that it is a factor, the fact that it runs so well just amazes me. What is that saying "one mans garbage is another mans gold"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernie Posted July 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2014 Thanks for the reminder Cliff.Just went out and tried it. 24.5 average, not bad for an old clunker and a 16 ft wood boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Cliff Posted July 27, 2014 Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 Not Bad? That is fantastic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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