Oil Sludge from resurrecting a 1957 35 hp Johnson RJE-19

[marksoldcresty]

BLUF: When the motor is run in a garbage can, there is a black sludge sitting on top of the water after running it for 5 minutes or so . Not just droplets, the entire surface.
I’ve enjoyed resurrecting an abused saltwater 1957 Johnson 35 hp Golden Javelin that was run mainly in the Mosquito lagoon. Compression is 90 psi for both cylinders. Some of the stuff I’ve done so far: R&R with freshwater parts, transom clamp including tiller handle, mid-section,and gear case. Replaced the head gasket. Power head is clean inside the water jackets. It has definitely been replaced by a previous owner during its life. It’s not salted inside like others I have seen. I’ve taken the gear case apart, replaced a few parts, resealed it, and rebuilt the water pump. After wrestling with the points, I ditched them for a transistorized set along with new plugs and a coil to bring it to life. The engine fires up cold (low idle 1.5 turns/High Idle .5 turns) just fine with the choke on it for few seconds. After that it turns over and fires right up. I’m wondering if I’m observing a worn out motor due to black sludge sitting on top of the water. Not just droplets, entire surface. Or looking at motor that just needs be put on the St. Johns river and ran WOT to blow the crud out of it?

Mark
M.I., FL
’54 Crestliner Buccaneer

[lindy46]

That sludge is NORMAL! You put oil in the gas which does its’ job lubricating the cylinders and most of it isn’t burned in the process and goes out through the exhaust. My ’57 Lark did the same thing. Take it out and give it a good run. And if you’re concerned about the "sludge", get a biodegradable 2-cycle oil.

[chris-p]

As stated, normal. Not noticeable on open water. Certain oils are much better than others. Cheap oils give cheap results. After I run a few motors in my tank looks like the Exxon Valdez run through it.

You can also add an oil recovery system to the Javelin. Easy to do.

[amuller]

It’s good to think about what is put in the water from running old outboards. What you are seeing is normal but you usually don’t see it as it’s injected below the surface (mostly) and dispersed. The barrel retains it for your viewing enjoyment. Agree with installing a recovery system on the crankcase drain, and using oil that is (supposedly) biodegradable.

[outbdnut2]

I get that too and before dumping the barrel, I squirt some liquid dish soap in it to break down the sludge.
Dave

[marksoldcresty]

Thought I’d throw some pics of my project you helped me with:

Mark
M.I., FL
’54 Crestliner Buccaneer

[Anonymous]

That’s NICE ❗ ❗ ❗

[amuller]

Beautiful!

[lindy46]

Looks great. Pretty motor!

[marksoldcresty]

It’s the family boat. Dad bought back in ’58. It hasn’t run in 18 years. Sat out on the farm under a tarp. I learned to ski behind it in the 60’s. Question, where can I buy an oil recovery system/kit? Also, scratching my head where I’d hook it up to the crankcase drain on the power head. BTW, I took the ’58 Johnson 50 horse off of it. Promised him I’d try the boat with something lighter. He put the 50 on it to ski two adults at a time. Problem was it made the boat stern heavy and prone to swamping the rear of it when backing up.

~mark
M.I., FL

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