Top pull cord does not pull to start motor:

[Bob Wight]

To answer your other questions:  the retard/advance lever adjusts the ignition timing, retard at slower speeds and advance at higher speeds.   The red stop button is just that – you push that button to shut the motor down.   The “dots” you see on the outer rim of the flywheel are rivets that hold the magnets in place inside the flywheel, which you will see when you remove the flywheel.

Bob

1937 Champion D2C Deluxe Lite Twin
1954 Johnson CD-11
1955 Johnson QD-16
1957 Evinrude Fastwin 18
1957 Evinrude 3022
1958 Johnson QD-19
1958 Johnson FD-12
1959 Johnson QD-20
1982 Evinrude 25hp

“Every 20 minute job is only a broken bolt away from a 3-day project.”
"Every time you remove a broken or seized bolt an angel gets his wings."

1 user thanked author for this post.

CFB

[JOSEPH BRINCAT]

Carl, that sounds like you will have everything well in hand.  Have you considered coming to a local chapter meet? bring your motor… I think that you would find much help knowledge, parts and perhaps even a owners manual.  Check out the “Events” page for a list of meets. We the Great Lakes Chapter are up here in S-E Michigan, a bit of a drive,  but too far. You would be welcome.

Joe B

1 user thanked author for this post.

CFB

[CFB]

If you are signing off with me Joe, I appreciate all the time you have given me.  I don’t blame you wanting to be done with me.  I found some local marine addresses I will call.  If yours is the closest chapter to me, I guess I’ll have to consider that and make an appt to come and get some attention.

If I may ask another question, when I test for spark on the tractor, I’d take the plug out, reconnect it to the wire and then hit the start button while holding the spark plug end against the engine block.  Would that work for this – even though I’d need a second person to pull the cord?  thanks.

 

[CFB]

Bob, you have some older motors listed.  I’m guessing mine is 1940ish.  Would you know of a good search lookup website?  None seem to work for me.  I typed in my model A-50 and the reply said I need more figures.  Struck out too using the serial of 147022, which appears on the rope sheave and the engine.  At least consistent which is not what I found when restoring an old Ford farm tractor.  Not sure if Johnson had serial number for each model or just kept using the next number regardless of model.

I did find more numbers if they help to ID a date:  Under the flywheel:  71C1243-2:  Two halves of the engine: 25D2 and 25E1:  Top of prop leg: 25B9.

Thank you for your time:   Did you rebuild those engines listed, have them all now, or just what you’ve had over the years?

[Bob Wight]

It’s been my experience that your best source of information is right here on this forum.   There are a lot of members here that are always willing to help, many of them with much more experience than I have on these old motors.   As Joe suggested, you might also consider a visit to a chapter meet to gain more information about repairing and operating your motor.

Your A-50 was a model produced in 1930-1932.   For future reference, here’s a link to a list of Johnson motors by model year.

https://www.southcentraloutboards.com/pages/johnson-model-year-guide/

All of the motors I’ve listed in my signature are motors that I acquired and did a total mechanical and cosmetic restoration on.  The 1982 Evinrude is currently in progress with the motor in pieces waiting for new paint.  I still have most of the motors listed but a couple of them have been recently sold to other parties.   I also totally rebuilt a couple other motors that are not listed as I sold those several years ago.

 

Bob

1937 Champion D2C Deluxe Lite Twin
1954 Johnson CD-11
1955 Johnson QD-16
1957 Evinrude Fastwin 18
1957 Evinrude 3022
1958 Johnson QD-19
1958 Johnson FD-12
1959 Johnson QD-20
1982 Evinrude 25hp

“Every 20 minute job is only a broken bolt away from a 3-day project.”
"Every time you remove a broken or seized bolt an angel gets his wings."

[Steve D]

[JOSEPH BRINCAT]

Carl,  surly not “signing off” … we are a tenacious bunch here when it comes to bringing an old motor back to life. I wish that you could come to one of our chapter meets where we have a test tank and helpful members. Unfortunately we are nearing the end of our chapter’s meet schedule for that kind of meet.  Next Sunday (8/9/26) will be the last dry meet with work shop and test tank resources available. Pretty short notice, but you are welcome to attend. Info on the “Events” page

Joe

[CFB]

Thank you for finding out what I have.  Earlier than I thought.  Thanks for the link.

[CFB]

I’ll have to check out the local chapter and see where else they may be.  I have a relative in Toledo. Trip each year to Green Bay and Knoxville.   It is fun learning about others’ hobbies/interests.  It shouldn’t surprise me with working on old boat motors  – thanks for sharing – just as folk restore vintage tractors and model trains, even big ones like Big Boy.

[CFB]

Thank you for this detail!

[Author]

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