1967 3 hp Johnson compared to a 1955 3 hp

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  • June 28, 2026 at 12:32 pm #323169
    jimk
    Participant

      I just picked up a nice little folding Johnson 3 and it came with the owners manual. According to that it is ok to run at a 50:1 mix. Question is if there are any differences in that motor compared to my 1955 3 hp that calls for a 16:1 mix? I have it running at a 24:1 now and will probably stick with that. It came with a case in good condition but I would think most do being I don’t see a need for the case. I have it on a stand and will keep it on it but it is kind of a unique little motor.

      June 28, 2026 at 1:00 pm #323171
      CHUCK
      Participant

        US MEMBER PAY BY CHECK

        That’s a good question!  If it were my motor I wouldn’t run it on anything leaner than 16:1 regardless of what the manual says.

        The manufacturers were under a lot of pressure to get the oil ratios more “environmentally accommodating” .  The 1967 motor is still a bushings only motor.

        Like in the 80’s when they started saying 100:1.  They reneged on that pretty quickly but not before having to warrranty a lot of powerheads damaged by lack of oil.

        Lets see what some of the OMC Pros have to say.

        June 28, 2026 at 1:37 pm #323173
        JACQUES
        Participant

          jsut follow what he manuf  saysalthough in theearly days  SAE30 was the usual oil to use.  today with TWC3  i use 1L/25L  on all oldies

          no problems so far.

          to service oldies download the bible…. good for J&E

          https://www.socalaomci.com/library/johnson_service_manual_10th_edition.pdf

           

           

           

          Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

          June 28, 2026 at 7:12 pm #323199
          Tubs
          Participant

            The case, if it isn’t broken anywhere, and is in really good condition, will have more collector interest, and as much, if not more value, than the motor. The difference isn’t in the motors, its in the oil. Manufactures were getting away from running SAE 30 wt, 4 cycle, crankcase oil, and recommending that TC-W be used instead. Even in there early motors. I have a 1960 and a 1961 that I run 3 oz of oil per gal. in. Ive had the 61 less than 20 years. The 1960 Ive had for over 45. Here is a link to them. https://youtu.be/r1vVMls8OU4?si=NdmAEKDiDNqX7EW- Not a recommendation, Just what I do.

            A "Boathouse Repair" is one thats done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.

            June 28, 2026 at 8:30 pm #323202
            jimk
            Participant

              Nice Tubs! I have a 54, 55 Johnson and a 57 Evinrude 3 hp and now the 67 Johnson folder.  They all run great. I think I will stick with the 16:1 mix. I don’t run them more than once or twice a year and never a problem fouling plugs. As they say oil is cheap and maybe they will last another 70 years!

              June 29, 2026 at 7:58 pm #323267
              Mike Natoli
              Participant

                US Member

                if i can throw my $.02 in, i have the same motor. when i pulled the flywheel , someone (probably a dealer mechanic) wrote -new pistons, rings, connecting rods, bearings . and also wrote the date which i think was 1970’s. I am guessing the owner used 50:1. not sure but i use 16:1 in mine. runs great. hope that helps

                mn

                June 30, 2026 at 9:19 am #323294
                Don
                Participant

                  US Member

                  Your 24:1 mix for the later model 3hp seems like a good idea indeed.

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