58 Johnson Super Seahorse Super quiet

"I picked up an old boat for a

"I picked up an old boat for a few bucks tonight. Gotta go back this weekend and dig it out. This guys grandad had it in a huge dry concrete floor shed. Last registration is 1977 and he says he believes that is the last time it was on the water. It has a Johnson Super Seahorse 35 on it. The boat and motor look EXCELLENT from what i can see. Stuff piled all around it though. Trailer tires are flat but no big deal.

Besides tearing the carb down and rebuilding it what else should i look for? The guy was a mechanic by trade and everything in the garage looks to be WELL taken care of so i expect no less for the boat and motor. I thought about fogging the cylinders with WD-40 right away, tearing the carb down and doing a compression check. If all checks out try starting it. Would the crankshaft seals need to be replaced from age?? The water pump will be changed for sure. Where is the best source for old Johnson parts?? Thanks in advance.

BTW, It's an RDS20 Serial 1757066 The motor says "Super quiet" on it. I am in Montana where we get 11 inches of rain a year with NO humidity so i took a chance tonight and stuck my thumb on the ring gear. It turned over fine for 1 full rotation. That is as far as i turned it until i get it drug out and fog lube the cylinders.


Here are some pics. Don't have any idea what make the boat is till they find the title.............

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b148/mjstef/P1010201.jpg"

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b148/mjstef/P1010199.jpg"

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b148/mjstef/P1010198.jpg"

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b148/mjstef/P1010196.jpg"

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b148/mjstef/P1010195.jpg""

"Matt, if it hasn't run in

"Matt, if it hasn't run in 30 years there is a good chance, even in your climate, that some of the "rubber" parts have dry rotted.

But like you say, when you get it out where you can look at it, give it good go over. I would at the very least give it a new impeller, gear oil, plugs and check the points and clean/set if required.

And even though you got it to move, a shot of WD-40 in each cylinder wouldn't hurt - after all it hasn't seen lube either in 30 years.

RDS-20 was a 1958 model - I don't have a manual going back that far, but have notes stating you should be mixing at 25:1 (but perhaps someone else can jump in here)...."

It will need a new impeller an

It will need a new impeller and likely needs new coils.No point in trying to start that motor without doing that maintenance.They are somewhat collectable since they were well built with more needle bearings on the rods than later motors.Good looking trim as well.

"That 1958 35hp JOhnson incorp

"That 1958 35hp JOhnson incorporates "all" roller, needle, and ball bearings within its powerhead and as such can safely use the 50/1 fuel/oil mixture."

Thanks for the help. I hope

Thanks for the help. I hope to have it home this weekend. A friend suggested the boat may be an old Glasstron. Anyone know by the pics??

"Great news!!! Got it home a

"Great news!!! Got it home and steam cleaned today!! It is a 1958 Gull made in Missoula Montana!! Found the registration in the boat and the last registration expired in 1969!!!!!!! Shot a bunch of penetrol in the cylinders and rolled it over slow a few times, Mixed some penetrol, 2 stroke oil and gas in a windex bottle, pulled the rip cord 1 time and the damn thing fired right up!!!! I think i might have a winner here!!!!! Anyone got pics of a gull boat so i know how to restore it????"

"[url=""][IMG]http://i18.photo

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