1956 Johnson CD-13A

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  • September 24, 2025 at 10:56 am #300119
    Aidan Smith
    Participant

      US Junior Member

      Working on a 56′ Johnson, 5.5 model number CD-13A. Not sure what the “A” means, never seen that.

      The bigger issue at hand is the fact that the bottom piston is destroyed. I successfully removed it from the motor, but I haven’t taken a deep look at the bore.

      Would this be worth putting a new piston in, as it is in amazing condition, or should I be looking for a replacement powerhead?

      I got it this way, and with the original fuel tank.

      "Shells sink, dreams float. Life's good on our boat."
      1931 Johnson A-50
      1950 Mercury KF-7
      1951 Mercury KG-7
      1956 Johnson JW-12R

      September 24, 2025 at 12:52 pm #300123
      crosbyman
      Participant

        Canada Member

        great motors if you are handy at fixing it but their should be lots of spare ph lying around.  stick with inland stuff

         

        do you have the Johnson red book  bible to service it

        Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

        1 user thanked author for this post.
        Aidan Smith
        September 24, 2025 at 1:31 pm #300124
        Aidan Smith
        Participant

          US Junior Member

          Thanks,

          Unfortunately, I cannot find the red book, I have been told it is on this website but it has been removed at some point.

          Any recommendations on where to find it?

           

           

          "Shells sink, dreams float. Life's good on our boat."
          1931 Johnson A-50
          1950 Mercury KF-7
          1951 Mercury KG-7
          1956 Johnson JW-12R

          September 24, 2025 at 2:25 pm #300126
          elgin2
          Participant

            US MEMBER PAY BY CHECK

            I found a white version on eBay several years ago.

            September 24, 2025 at 8:38 pm #300135
            crosbyman
            Participant

              Canada Member

              it sells for 20$ U$ for download   I frequently do post here

              found it    called red book but white is good

              https://watercraftmanuals.com/outboard/johnson/johnson-302231.htm

              just have it printed locally in 2 binders for easy reading

               

               

              Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

              September 25, 2025 at 10:15 am #300138
              fleetwin
              Participant

                US Member

                Adam, the important thing is to figure out why the piston got stuck to begin with.   Sounds like more of an issue that just a light sticking due to sitting around.   Water leak into the cylinder?  Blown head gasket, sealing surfaces damaged?  Leaking exhaust cover?  Or, perhaps the lower seal was messed up allowing water into the powerhead.

                You have the engine apart, is the crankshaft OK?  If so, it is surely worth finding a used piston/rod and reassembling, if you can find new rings.   You will need to check the cylinder as well.   Needless to say, finding a decent used powerhead would be the simplest solution

                September 25, 2025 at 11:22 am #300145
                Aidan Smith
                Participant

                  US Junior Member

                  Fleetwin,

                  Honestly, it is difficult to tell why it seized up.

                  The piston, rod, and other internals are shattered into many small pieces.

                  The bore looks just fine, and the other piston turns just fine, but compression seems OK too.

                  The engine is currently back together as I had to take on another project, and needed the space.

                  Any ideas of what do to next in diagnosing the failure?

                   

                  Thanks

                  "Shells sink, dreams float. Life's good on our boat."
                  1931 Johnson A-50
                  1950 Mercury KF-7
                  1951 Mercury KG-7
                  1956 Johnson JW-12R

                  September 27, 2025 at 12:52 am #300180
                  fleetwin
                  Participant

                    US Member

                    Did it throw a rod creating that mess?  What does the crankshaft journal look like?

                    1 user thanked author for this post.
                    Aidan Smith
                    September 27, 2025 at 9:22 am #300187
                    Aidan Smith
                    Participant

                      US Junior Member

                      Not 100% sure. The journal looks OK, I have attached a photo of the mess it made. It looks like the rod just exploded, I have no idea what could have caused it. The piston is not scored like it would be if there was a lack of oil, and it turns great. The other cylinder has about 95 lbs of compression.

                      "Shells sink, dreams float. Life's good on our boat."
                      1931 Johnson A-50
                      1950 Mercury KF-7
                      1951 Mercury KG-7
                      1956 Johnson JW-12R

                      September 27, 2025 at 9:22 am #300188
                      Aidan Smith
                      Participant

                        US Junior Member

                        IMG_0535-1

                        "Shells sink, dreams float. Life's good on our boat."
                        1931 Johnson A-50
                        1950 Mercury KF-7
                        1951 Mercury KG-7
                        1956 Johnson JW-12R

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