Random questions about my 1958 Johnson RDS 20

[labrador-guy]

TJ Brandon wrote:

Thanks all for the responses. The coils I put on read right around 8k each. My first step will to clean the points, if that doesn’t work I will take the coil back out and re-seat the plug wire again.

I had no idea hooking up an rpm gauge would be that easy and cheap. I have one ordered from Amazon now. I also learned they have GPS speedometers, I thought those were pretty neat so I ordered one as well.

For the prop, thanks I have saved the links. Unfortunately the first snow just fell in Michigan so it will be a while before I can water test this thing. So the strategy is to measure rpm’s at WOT with typical load then adjust from there.

For the oil – yes I think the cheapest tcw3 oil I found is from walmart at $20 a gallon. I may have to have the oil truck just stop by my place once a week. 🙂

One more question – when I was replacing ignition components I noticed the timing was off. The carb linkage was engaging about 1/4″ before the line on the throttle cam. I have worked on a couple 50’s 10hp and this is easily adjusted with the adjustment screw. On this motor though, the cam is all the way pushed in and still engages 1/4″ too soon. I’m assuming this should be dead on the line the same time the carb linkage starts to engage?

BTW, this is the project I am working on https://www.aomci.org/forums/topic/1963-mirrocraft-with-1958-johnson-rds-20/#post-292224 and attached is a picture of a 10hp we went through that now runs amazing for my sons boat.

Gotta love those 50’s 10’s!!!    Your picture looks familiar, river cruising?  Thanks for sharing.

dale

[crosbyman]

nice boy… only thing missing is a fat  bass 🙂   I wish my grand kids would show interest in OB …..their minds have been taken over  by their stupid phones, tik tok facebook  …..probably yexying  with some guy  in africa

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

[TJ Brandon]

I just downloaded the manual. Thank you

[crosbyman]

I had my local print shop print my book double sided  &  for ease of use I had them  split the 400 + pages in 2  books  . Pages were   edge bound with a  plastic spring allowing  flat  easy reading spring .

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

[TJ Brandon]

Dale,

The picture is coming out of a canal in Houghton Lake, Mi.

[labrador-guy]

TJ Brandon wrote:

Dale,

The picture is coming out of a canal in Houghton Lake, Mi.

“Houghton lake MI”  That’s my old stomping grounds!  My dad took me fishing when I was a pup on lake St Helen.  We caught some dandy pike there.  We never did figure out how to catch wallies on Houghton Lk.  I learned how to water ski on Higgins Lake.  You are probably to young to remember the “Music Box”  in Prudenville.   Hundreds  of kids were there on Saturday night in the summertime.  Snowmobiling, Meredith, Snow bowl, Leota!  Dingmans bar in Kalkaska!   Thanks for the Memories!

dale

[TJ Brandon]

Thanks for all the help.

The weak spark was due to me not tucking the coil wire away down far enough so the flywheel was grinding away at it. This was a new coil too. I have another one on the way. I taped it up for testing and I was able to get the motor running really well after correctly setting the timing.

Next steps:
– I think there is fuel leaking from the electric choke which I am not sure how that could be since I don’t think any fuel passes through
– Rebuilding or repairing the wiring harness on the engine side.

[outbdnut2]

TJ Brandon wrote:

– I think there is fuel leaking from the electric choke which I am not sure how that could be since I don’t think any fuel passes through

Are you seeing the fuel on the choke actuator solenoid, or do you mean fuel dripping near the choke butterfly in the carb throat?  If it’s on the actuator (which I think is what you are saying),  it has to be running or dripping onto it from somewhere else – you are right that there is no fuel in that part.  Check hose connections to the carb and carb gaskets.

Dave

[TJ Brandon]

Yes, fuel on the solenoid. Thanks for confirming no fuel is routed there. I will try to see where it is running down from.

Dale, I have heard of the music box but not any details and I am not from HL, we just purchased a place there about 6 years ago. We love spending a lot of time in summer on that lake. I have not fished in ages but really should take it back up. Mostly we like cruising the canals or will boat up to a restaurant.

If people want to host videos to post here, what is the preferred place to host? I just want to share some progress videos.

[labrador-guy]

TJ Brandon wrote:

Yes, fuel on the solenoid. Thanks for confirming no fuel is routed there. I will try to see where it is running down from.

Dale, I have heard of the music box but not any details and I am not from HL, we just purchased a place there about 6 years ago. We love spending a lot of time in summer on that lake. I have not fished in ages but really should take it back up. Mostly we like cruising the canals or will boat up to a restaurant.

If people want to host videos to post here, what is the preferred place to host? I just want to share some progress videos.

Yup, I like cruising the canals too!   When I go fishing it’s usually catch and release.  I love to listen to these old motors putting along at trolling speed.  And think of all the fun they had way back when!

My videos go on utube then I post a link in the “members videos” forum.   I would love to follow your projects.   I don’t do facebook and we could sure could use a little more member participation.

dale

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