Johnson p-30 Muffler loop nuts or not?

[clockguy2]

I bought a 6hp. 1926 Johnson p-30 outboard off of Craigslist. I have read that this was the first of the Big twins and started off the outboard racing craze in the late 1920’s. My motor has the muffler with the horizontal iron pipe and aluminum castings on the ends with a threaded rod running through the center to hold it together. My motor has regular antique hex nuts on the ends, but I am seeing loop nuts on the later model Johnson big twins. The question is, did the p-30s come with loop nuts and what is the purpose of the loops? Also, what were the nuts made of?
Thanks, Bryan Smith

[stanley]

I am certainly no expert and have no experience with your motor but I have two lage Johnson outboards the same vintage as yours.They both have loops as do other models I have found in the Johnson service manual.I assume they were standard on the larger motors because they are there so you can hook a steering rope to them.The ones on my motors look like they were originally nickle plated brass.

[lotec]

My P-30 and the parts motor both had the square "farm nuts" on the muffler rod. The loops were used for remote steering, a line or cable was tied to them – I’ve seen both aluminum and plated brass ones on the various opposed Johnsons. I’m not sure if they were stock on the P-30 or not, the parts list is not illustrated so it is hard to tell. I tend to think they were an accessory you purchased if you wanted to steer the motor remotely.

[Anonymous]

The P-30 I currently own has the loop nuts on it. Look to be original as far as I can tell. Mine also has a brass can for a muffler, not iron or steel. Also had another P-30 that I sold, the pics show no loops on the muffler threaded rod. Well, that wasn’t a lot of help, was it?

Best,
T2

[RICHARD A. WHITE]

My P-30 has no loops….

http://www.richardsoutboardtools.com
classicomctools@gmail.com

[clockguy2]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like anything is correct if it looks old. I noticed Art DeKalb sells aluminum and bronze castings for Johnson loop nuts over at “Art’s Old Outboard Site“.

[george-emmanuel]

This discussion points to concerns I have about history…There is no one I know of other than Ralph Lambrecht who can shed light on the inner workings of the old Johnson factory. Our own Garry Spencer has tons of knowledge on what went on in the Evinrude factory. There are probably some others but they remain unknown. When those two pass on to the great meet in the sky the knowledge they have goes also. Both these gentlemen share with us old stories that in my opinion need to be documented. When our old site crashed tons of Garry’s information disappeared. So how do you recreate what is lost?—And how do you get answers to questions when they are gone? Spend time with these people, ask questions, and document, document, document!

[bh]

My Johnson ‘Repair Parts Catalog’ shows the P30 with nuts,
and the P35 on with ‘Eye Nuts’ , Part #17-30.
P30 lists; Part #7-25, ‘Nut for Muffler Bolt’ .
From pic of P30 it is hard to see if it is square or hex.
If u need copy send e-addy.

[Author]

Posts