Topic: 1955 Johnson QD-16 powerhead not painted. – Antique Outboard Motor Club,Inc

This topic has 11 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 2 months, 2 weeks ago by wedgie.

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June 18, 2026 at 3:11 pm #322376
russ
Participant
A friend brought this motor for me to look at. Powerhead is redish brown but everything that is screwed to it is green.The frost plug matches the serial number was this missed at the production plant or is it something common thanks Russ.
June 18, 2026 at 7:30 pm #322388
reivertom
Participant
US Member
Sounds like a “Franken motor”. Somebody put a ’56 head on the ’55. It happened a lot.
June 19, 2026 at 10:21 am #322457
Don
Participant
US Member
So the core plug ID on the block matches the ID plate on the stern bracket?? Kind of sounds like perhaps the powerhead was replaced and someone transferred the core plug from the original block to this one…

Pictures??
June 20, 2026 at 11:08 am #322520
JACQUES
Participant
motor is 71 years old,crossed many twilight zones..does it run ok ?

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂
June 20, 2026 at 1:36 pm #322526
russ
Participant
No at this time will be soon the brown paint on it looks like it may be primer.The welch plug has a bit of the brown paint on it I do not know how it could be removed from one motor to the other without any damage.Just my thought thanks all for your help.Russ.
June 20, 2026 at 8:15 pm #322550
Tubs
Participant
Bolt, hot glue, and a slide hammer. Some come out easier than others.

A "Boathouse Repair" is one thats done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.
June 20, 2026 at 9:56 pm #322562
wedgie
Participant
I recall Frank Robb talking about a large number of power heads being replaced under warranty.
This was due to a design flaw of the bottom crank seal. If I remember correctly, the replacements were supplied primed , but not painted. Maybe this is what you have.

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Sam M.
June 21, 2026 at 5:45 am #322569
russ
Participant
Thank you all very much I think my question has been answered .
June 21, 2026 at 6:05 pm #322622
Sam M.
Participant
Canada Member
wedgie wrote:

I recall Frank Robb talking about a large number of power heads being replaced under warranty.
This was due to a design flaw of the bottom crank seal. If I remember correctly, the replacements were supplied primed , but not painted. Maybe this is what you have.

Do you remember if he said which models or years this happened with?
June 21, 2026 at 9:54 pm #322640
wedgie
Participant
After poking around on the interwebs a bit , I do believe it was 1955. Change over from the carbon seal to double lip sealdidn’t go as planned initially.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Sam M.
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