Which early JE motors have a gearshift?

[58fourfifty]

Showing my ignorance here. When the time comes after a retirement move, I’d like to get a small HP motor from the ’50s. Something under 7hp. Which ones should I look for that have a forward, neutral and reverse? I’ve looked at a few 3hp ones and they don’t seem to show a shift lever….

thanks
Verne ❓

[chinewalker]

OMC didn’t add a shift to a motor that small (3hp) until the 1980s, and then it was only a neutral clutch. The smallest full gearshift motor they made in the 1950s were the 5hp Gale-built models, followed by the 5.5 hp Johnsons and Evinrudes.

[58fourfifty]

Hey thanks. Were any of the ’50s JE 5.5hp motors problem prone and best to avoid?

[theodore]

5.5 horsepower motors are only prone to lasting forever and being one of the best engines ever made.

20,000 centuries from now, aliens will land on earth, dig them up, start them on the first pull, and have themselves a sweet little fishing’ motor.

[westwind]

The 5.5 and 7.5 motors are very similar. The challenge they have is the impeller change that requires powerhead removal. Also the slip clutch instead of a shear pin can be problematic. While only a few pounds heavier, the 10HP is really a better motor. Simple impeller change like any other OMC and no slip clutch. Prior to 1958 they have a heavier duty gearcase but I really like how my 58 runs, it weighs only 67lbs. (I monitor the oil level and check it often for any water.) 10HP has great performance on a 14ft boat.

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[crosbyman]

dont be to worried about pulling the head for the impeller change you will have a chance to check the shaft seal at the same time you will need a powerhead gasket

visit vintageoutboard.com for gaskets

see utube videos

both the 5.5 and 7.5 are superb slow idlers with gearshift and remote controllable !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVOedhzPP7M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY2HrEdp5vg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCkpGD4bgDI
http://boatinfo.no/lib/johnson/manuals/ … on.html#/0

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[outbdnut2]

If you get any of these 5-1/2 to 10 HP motors, if it hasn’t been run for 30 or 40 years and still has the original magneto coils, you have to change them , but there are aftermarket ones out there for about $18 each.

I agree – the 5 1/2s run great, as do the 7- 1/2 and 10s. If you go for a ten, I’d go at lest 1954 because before that, the 10’s had a gearshift but not a tiller throttle. You may have to search out or rebuild the two-line pressure gas tank for any of these, but parts are available and it’s not difficult – or with more messing around, you can add a fuel pump and use any single line tank.
Dave

[eviltwin]

Some of the Martins were equipped with Twist Shift.

[crosbyman]

here we go again…
nostalgia will want you to keep the pressure tank
"modernia" will tempt you to go single line

I did my 5.5 this way and it runs great btw you will need to find a spare old style single line connector BEFORE you start or use only the fuel side of the existing 2 line connector since the "air " pressure side will be voided by these mods

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtG4M7ye1N8

the other method on engines e/w with side cover plates involves mounting a pump with a source of vacum obtained by accessing the innards of the
crankcase either by mounting a regular OMC pump over a hole drilled in " prepared for" side covers or drilling tapping and "nippling" a cover plate
for your source of vacum pulses. IF you mount a OMC pump over a small aluminum plate to "cover the cover" just drill a hole 0.25 & center the OMC pump on the 0.25 hole also drilled in the aluminum plate then using the existing bolt holes mount it all up and vacum pulses will directly work the pump from behind without the need for a third "vacum" hose to a nippled plate.

…BTW you will need that single line hose fitting BEFORE you start. You will also be plugging the small nipple behind the carb with a piece of short 1.5 inch fuel hose and small bolt. the B&Stratton pump (made by MIkuni) #808656 worked for me

http://www.leeroysramblings.com/Convert … l_line.htm

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[1946zephyr]

quote Theodore:

5.5 horsepower motors are only prone to lasting forever and being one of the best engines ever made.

20,000 centuries from now, aliens will land on earth, dig them up, start them on the first pull, and have themselves a sweet little fishing’ motor.

LMAO!! yea…..this is likely true. They’re tougher than shoe leather.

[Author]

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