50s Evinrude/Johnson with non-matching powerhead

[Jackson65]

Hey guys,
I have stumbled over an oddity and I need some help. I recently purchased what was advertised as a non-running 1957 Evinrude 35 hp with electric start. The lower unit is blue as I would expect, and the tag shows it as a model 25930, but the powerhead is painted white and appears to have been changed at some point and the cowl was from a 57 Johnson. The freeze plug has a serial number of 1629545. Can anyone tell me what model this powerhead is and the hp (I am thinking it might be a 1961 40hp, but am not sure). I am trying to evaluate whether to restore or part out. I prefer to bring these guys back to life whenever possible. I wandered out in the snow to get a pic.
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Thanks in advance,
Jack

• This topic was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by Jackson65.
• This topic was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by Mumbles.

[outbdnut2]

1957 Johnson serial numbers were from 1493186 to 1660474, so that freeze plug says its a 1957. I’m thinking it may be a ’57 35 HP Golden Javelin, which, if I remember right, had a white powerhead.

That being said, don’t rule out that someone who is good at it, may have swapped the freeze plug, but I doubt it. If it has a thermostat, it could be 1959 or newer, or a 1958 Super Sea Horse 35.

The powerhead could have been re-painted white also, but if that’s the case, you should see signs of paint flaking with another color underneath.
Dave

• This reply was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by outbdnut2.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by outbdnut2.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by outbdnut2.

[frankr]

outbdnut2 wrote:

1957 Johnson serial numbers were from 1493186 to 1660474, so that freeze plug says its a 1957. I’m thinking it may be a ’57 35 HP Golden Javelin, which, if I remember right, had a white powerhead.

That being said, don’t rule out that someone who is good at it, may have swapped the freeze plug, but I doubt it. If it has a thermostat, it could be 1959 or newer, or a 1958 Super Sea Horse 35.

The powerhead could have been re-painted white also, but if that’s the case, you should see signs of paint flaking with another color underneath.
Dave

• This reply was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by outbdnut2.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by outbdnut2.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by outbdnut2.

1958 Super sea horse or newer powerhead won’t fit a 1957 lower. Gotta go with the 1957 Javelin. Could be a Gale powerhead, but the serial number rules that out unless the freeze plug was swapped.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by frankr.

[Jackson65]

Hey Guys,
Thanks so much! I was pretty sure the aficionados here could educate me. The cowl appears to be from a Golden Javelin, so I am thinking a previous owner damaged the lower unit of his Javelin and found a compatible Evinrude and swapped out. I am thinking I may try to check the lower unit for damage and get it turning freely, then check compression and spark to see if a restore is in her future. Thank you Dave and Frank for your knowledge.
Jack

[outbdnut2]

Your pics remind me of my Gale/Evinrude. The Gale had a crack in the exhaust housing near the cooling outlet. It got much worse (and louder) after taking a couple quick turns, so……I did the swap shown below – that was much easier than swapping only the exhaust housing:
Dave

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• This reply was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by outbdnut2.

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