Total Rebuild Of My Two Stroke Johnson (Engine)

[@robertginther9248]

As a master marine tech for 46 years: Start & warm the engine. In a test tank or on the water run at high speed & adjust for peak rpm & then richen 1/16 - 1/8 turn. Bring it down to an idle (550) & adjust for smoothest idle while still being able to accelerate quickly without hesitation. That's it. Readjust high speed & then low speed once again. None of this matters if your points don't open EXACTLY 180* off & you have synchronized the throttle opening to the correct ignition advance. My Johnson 5hp will idle @ 475 rpm all day without loading up &/or stalling. These units have a heavy flywheel which enables them to do this. Also noticed you have the new coils (#580416) make sure they are correctly spaced away from the flywheel. Any competent dealer should have the tools & knowledge to do this with precision.

[@joshuathinker8546]

This needs to be bumped up. My grandfather had tge same type of Johnson and from what I remember it ran very well in the 90s

[@buellfuel2001]

What type of crank seals did this use?

[@angiesullens2126]

😳 wow I really wish I knew what you just said I recently inherited a motor from my father exactly like this one would love to see it run

[@ronalddaub9740]

Your low speed idle adjustment is on the bottom of the crankcase facing towards you . Of course the high speed is on the top

[@ronalddaub9740]

So I'm a master does that mean I have to call myself a master I've been a master for 50 years what makes you God

[@DragerPilot]

I’m not in the habit of watching a guy work over his Johnson for any length of time, let alone for hours. However, I was fascinated by your performance. I hope you have an even longer Johnson exhibition coming for us.

[@RandyK1ng]

Mind-blowing on so many levels. The 1950's engineering was simple and elegant. And how you remember where are those damn parts go on reassembly is beyond me. You really know your Johnson well.

[@webmasale]

I'm blown away because it has even less parts than a land mower

[@johnypitman2368]

Any competent mechanic can work on his Johnson in the dark

[@markellii3093]

That's why while recording everything takes time with the setup and all, overall it can be very beneficial since you can rewatch the video to find out what went where and how.

[@estyrer2]

@@webmasaleOMC made those seahorses into mowers: Lawnboy was also their brand and were great machines.

[@broncodude6299]

I have this same motor, made in 1952. I need to get her back up and running. Way back in the day, almost 30 years ago, I got it from my grandfather. Had to replace the ignition components. Ran her for a couple of years and gaskets in lower unit went out. Back then you pretty much had to make your own gaskets, not these smears. I need to get her back up and running

[@christianlibertarian5488]

Glad you added that last word to the title. I wouldn't want people to think you had a two stroke Johnson.

[@jeffh4505]

"Keep your Johnson in a vise." Well played. Well played.

[@honthirty_]

A nice nod to a certain AvE Canadian.

[@audrey_johnson]

His Johnson has nipples!

[@danmanthe9335]

That advice sounds questionable. That being said your Johnson is green and mine is not

[@rexracer7192]

I'm waiting for someone to say their Johnson has way more than two strokes 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@danielalamo2075]

Tapping on bolts and nuts to shock them helps break loose fasteners. Also, tighten just a bit first. Both are tricks I learned as a kid growing up on a small dairy farm. My cousin was a mechanic for years. He told me impact tools help to break loose fasteners because of their hammering effect. I also learned online a "machinist's " trick for dissimilar metals. Use heat and melt candle wax into the threads as you heat area around the bolt. The paraffin soaks in to lubricate instead of burning off like other penetrating oils do. So far, this has worked great for me.

[@jameshedrick605]

I've used the heating and candle wax trick on removing broken exhaust manifold studs and bolts. Works like charm

[@dandil]

those of us that watch at 2x have been only watching you work on your Johnson for half an hour, but twice as vigorously.

[@nicoleking772]

When are you boys going to realize that we want you to take your time when working with your Johnson. What's the hurry?

[@EezStash]

Ha! Work on yer Johnson! Vigorously!😂😅

[@brendanhayes2752]

What about us that watch at 1/4 speed?

[@peter-hr1gl]

I'm sure all the Johnson references, jokes, and innuendo's are lost on a lot of people who perhaps are from other countries, or have led sheltered lives, but I found all of them humorous. Rebuilding of the engine was good too.

[@stevewilke8524]

Congrats on getting your Johnson working again! More power! Having fiddly carburetion may mean you have a worn throttle shaft causing air leak(s), or other air leaks where any two pieces join around the crankcase. Use an oil can to place drops around various junctions with the engine running; if RPM changes, you've found a leak.

[@jakem5339]

Oil works, but I find any type of burnable liquid works as well. We always have cans of brake clean around our shop, so it gets the most use.

[@stevewilke8524]

@@jakem5339 True, that'll work, but brakleen could rinse lubrication from bearings/cylinders, and oil won't hurt things - particularly if using 2-Cycle oil, which will burn clean.

[@MrFlashx1]

and if you do find that an issue you could try to fit O rings to both ends of throttle shaft to seal them up

[@thechumpsbeendumped.7797]

A broken Johnson is no good to man or beast. 😉

[@Fucktard2]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@tonskulus]

I love those old OMC outboards (Johnson, evinrude etc). When used properly, they are very reliable, easy starting and smooth running outboards. I have had many 3...10hp models. Having sleeve bearings, it requires much more oil (something like 1:20) compared to newer engines which are good with 1:50...1:100. Good work you have done!

[@williamglaser6577]

It has to feel great to succesfully diagnose problems, fix them and have a good running result ! Very fun to watch this series.

[@rickbullock4331]

I think the fact that a 70+ year old 5 h.p. outboard motor is still running is pretty awesome. As others who know more than I do regarding these types of engines have said, points and spark plugs aren’t new and neither are the ignition wires. I’m impressed either way. A working Johnson at that age is definitely a bonus.😳🙄🤔🤓👍👍

[@CSkwirl]

Piston ported, same as all modern chainsaws and outdoor power equipment. Some Bikes and snow mobiles use reed valves, some much older chainsaws

[@craigsudman4556]

I grew up living on Greenwood Lake at the Jersey end and recovered two engines that had fallen off of the transom due to clamp failure (happens more than not) as a consequence I've learned to tie a rope behind the outboard engine so that if the clamps fail or come loose from vibration the fail-safe is the rope around the back of the engine. Great video thumbs up.

[@svendholme3627]

Thank you crew for all the Johnson jokes. Back to work, I would recheck the float or get a replacement and then check the float level. Check high & low speed the needle valves for a ridge or groove from being tightened too hard in the past. Also as suggested below check for any air leakage around the throttle shaft. It is likely the magnets in the flywheel have lost strength in 70 years so a very close air gap is essential.

[@SVMSICE]

I've been reading all the comments and finally found the advice one that sounds good lol

[@mashrien]

Had a matching pair of 1960 Johnson "Big Twin" 40hp outboards that I rebuilt.. more than once. It's amazing how little difference there is between this little guy and the larger brethren. The moment I saw that keyed taper for the flywheel and coils underneath.. I felt sick to my stomach. I also learned a valuable lesson- Do NOT lean those out very much to get more rpm/power out of them, you'll spew needle bearings and they'll end up embedded in the heads ...... ask me how I know.

[@Flieger671]

I just have to say that all this talk about your Johnson is very EvinRUDE! Great video as always. Keep up the good work.

[@facundofuentez582]

You must be a relative of Musti, a small engine wonder. That doubleentendre that you both have keeps me in tears! We’ll keep polishing your shaft until the crank is totally rid of burrs!

[@facundofuentez582]

Mustie

[@nadieselgirl]

Wow, that's a beautiful engine. Thanks for sharing your Johnson with all of us.

[@curtisballer688]

I’ve watched a lot of vintage outboard videos and this was my #1 most enjoyed, informative. I like that it was thorough on specs and how too’s. Video showed virtually every step.. I’d like to see a heck of alot more on vintage outboard if that day comes great! If not excellent job, great sense of humour, clear to understand just greatly appreciated this video sir . Rare to see this thoroughness, I hope someone helped with tuneup for starting to running.. love to see more! THX!!

[@michaelgoss]

Glad to see you and your Johnson™ are back to motorboating!

[@bradh74]

I'm glad you got your Johnson all polished up and ready for some fun on the water! Two stokes four strokes they are all great when they're running.

[@briandolbec37]

Awesome... takes me back a number of years... My father had one like it when I was a kid... Did you open up the gas cap vent when you run it? (the small silver screw at the center) You close it for storage/transport so it doesn't leak, but you open it so the tank can get air for the fuel to flow to the carb. If you don't it will keep changing the mixture on you as it takes fuel out of the tank. You cleaned the carb I know, but maybe the needle valves/seats need a slight polish so they meter consistently.

[@chrisbragg5794]

without turning it open it starves itself

[@gerryburke4680]

thank you for lettting us hear the last ring go in. been working on a 61 fisherman 5.5 very very helpful stuff in this series for me.

[@Mikemalone7873]

I always enjoy seeing your Johnson. Thanks for showing us and thanks for the great content!

[@rickdiego5]

I enjoyed watching the tear down of your outboard motor. Most people would love to have a two-stroke Johnson, but not a two-stroke Johnson that gives you all kinds of trouble. At least your Johnson isn't dead.

[@uMalice]

What a great project! I have enjoyed it and re-learned a lot of basic mechanic's principles. Thank you for a great series.

[@JohnnieBravo1]

Holy Cow, I wish I had stumbled onto your video of this a couple weeks ago!!! I am trying to get my Dad's 1940 Johnson LT-10 (5hp) motor running again, after being put away around 1963. My Dad took my brother and me fishing often when we were little kids back in the 50's and early 60's, renting a boat and putting that motor on it. After he passed in 93, I got the motor and stored it ever since. Being retired now, I decided to make it a project to get it running again, but the pistons are frozen in. I am learning how it works by just disassembling it, without a service guide, or even a user's guide. One of the piston crowns is damaged trying to get it unfrozen. I had "assumed" the crank had journals pushing the pistons the same direction (like my old 1958 Norton Nomad twin cylinder motorcycle engine), as the pistons are frozen in exactly the same positions in the cylinders. Now I realize my catastrophic mistake was that assumption, and tried pushing both pistons out at the same time..... pitting them against each other. So, I am hoping to find a source for a replacement piston, or possibly try welding the crack up in the one I damaged. Had I been able to watch your video, I would have realized the crank had the pistons going opposite directions. Interestingly, this engine I have looks exactly like yours, its disassembly is the same, and even the piston crowns look identical. I also am posting my efforts on my little KZbin channel. Might you know of any sources for parts (even used) for these old motors?? Thank you for this video! I am watching it now taking notes for my rebuild efforts, and as I search to source some parts.

[@falco621]

Honestly, would have been much better for the machine if you had oiled the pistons a bit on reentry, but this was a very informative video. Thanks for showing us how you handle your johnson.

[@onesikm3]

My Johnson still works at 70 years old had me rolling on the floor and got my subscription 😁 literally started watching the whole Johnson series lol

[@boatbeard7767]

Worked in a marine workshop first job I had. Use a smear of grease on the head gasket - sealant is for when you are re-using any fiber gasket... Now I'd use TefGel or similar as an anti seize, previously we used the silver non copper type. The old piston port engines don't really develop huge compression, and they won't ever develop full pressure with an automotive tester because they are such small displacement - like any small engine really. Any of the plain bearing engines are relying on a reasonable oil film to provide cushioning between the bearing surfaces, so that's why 25:1 is needed. Something about the sound of those old 3 hp Johnsons, instantly familiar and full of memories. My first outboard was a '65 Johnson seahorse 3 identical apart from being white. I used to have to keep altering the mixture constantly as we would go along, just how those old carbies work I guess. They only have about six moving parts and one of them is the operator so you were expected to understand how to tune the engine depending on what you were doing - nothing like the more modern engines. I guess nobody though dripping fuel into the boat or the water was much of a drama 70 years ago... I reckon I spent 20% of the time pulling the damn thing over, 30% of the time with it in bits and 50% of the time thinking it was the greatest thing a kid could ever have. By the time I was 13 I could fit a new pull rope in about five minutes, reset the points in not much more and service the carby blindfolded and behind my back... Can't imagine any kid today thinking that is a fun thing, but for me - just seemed normal I guess. One day I should pull that thing out of Dad's shed, evict the spiders and get it going again. Think I've still got the bucket of J6J spark plugs with it too...

[@pjimmbojimmbo1990]

That engine likely requires 16:1 to provide enough oil to provide the cushion.

[@marianotombetta4149]

nothing better than a ring job to keep your Johnson happy

[@sneaks01]

Fantastic job! It’s been fun watching this whole series!

[@degrootd2]

I am not the type of guy to talk about another man’s Johnson but, yours is pretty nice! Really nice condition for it’s age.

[@flameboy7265]

I was beginning to think you were sick but then at 1:36 “playing with your johnson” finally appeared and balance was restored in the world again!😆

[@johnclarke6647]

When in doubt I replaced the plugs. I had a five horse Evinrude as my kicker on my stern drive offshore boat. It did not have to bring my butt in to often but when I needed it, it did. I had it on a mount on the transom that allowed me to raise and lower it into the water. It was a mid ‘50’s Evinrude.

[@CSkwirl]

I think it's hard to start due to compression being a bit low, would have thought over 100psi at least. Whether this is normal for this engine maybe the service manual might give a spec? With the idle trouble perhaps there is a small air leak in the crankcase, there doesn't seem to be any seals except the brass, if that's a bit worn air/fuel mix could be leaking between cylinders or external. Likely only a pressure and vacuum test will confirm but you could try the method many chainsaw builders use and spray brake cleaner around the crankshaft ends while its running but that might be difficult given the way it mounts

[@treya4872]

90 is good for these 50s 3 hps. Mines running great on 60psi

[@Ironchad1]

you make learning how engines work 10000000 times more fun! thank you this video series was interesting and fun!

[@adcaptandumvulgus4252]

Always nice when you can restore a pre-planned obsolescent bit of tech.

[@orvjudd1383]

Love your channel and your sense of humor. I am learning a lot just watching.❤

[@indymike821]

ALL I CAN SAY IS YOU ARE ONE OF THE MOST PATIENT MEN I HAVE EVER SEEN.....I WOULD HAVE BEEN CUSSING AND THROWING THINGS WHEN THINGS DON'T WORK OUT ,,JUST SAYIN

[@garrietaylor9519]

best 1hr I've spent = very interested & informative with great content . Bravo

[@francispalmer9737]

Pumping! grinding! Johnson! lubricating shafts! this show should be X rated. Its been great, cheers FarmCraft.

[@bretstephensen8821]

I have a Johnson Seahorse 2.5 Outboard in near perfect condition. It still runs perfect! Awesome little outboard.

[@azopene]

Thanks for the excellent video. I have a 10 HP Johnson that I suspect is well over 50 years old. I'm planning to overhaul it this summer. Right now it is seized. It has been in storage for at least 30 years so I suspect gaskets, rings etc will have to replaced.

[@glenpaul3606]

My dad bought a Johnson 7.5hp in 1956 and it ran great without any problems until it was sold in 2010. They are great motors.

[@punktkomma9489]

My johnson doesn't want to play anymore :(

[@punktkomma9489]

This isn't even a joke, I think I have an actual problem. Guess I should take the final upload about the Johnson project as a sign to go to the doctor

[@punktkomma9489]

update, johnson is up and running again

[@gordondavis7039]

​@@punktkomma9489❤

[@tomasnokechtesledger1786]

You got a nice vintage Johnson there. My Grandpa ran on these in the 50s.

[@matthewchampagne8048]

Hey Jon. Wow I never new there was such debate on witch end to add or fill lower unit oil to the Johnson or any outboard motor. I was a Marine mechanic in Miami. The reason we I was fill from the bottom is it's quick and easy. Oil would come in a tube or bulk. We would squeeze the tube or bulk under light pressure until it came out the top. Put your finger over the top hole. Vacuum will hold it in wile you plug the bottom hole then of course put the top plug in. Done. The bottle you were using would require top fill which is fine. Oil in the gearbox top or bottom. Great Videos. Thanks.

[@trekmaster30]

Was one Johnson joke short of demonetization lol

[@wrinkyscarnagecrew]

I do have to say I am very proud of you working on your Johnson by hand like a real man and you got'er done I can't stop being watching your videos hopefully more innuendos on the way

[@Dmenbiker]

I continually learn stuff watching your videos..

[@charliebelle6693]

My father's has a glass bowl off the carb. I remember vaguely a mechanic working on it when it wouldn't run back in the early 70's while we were on vacation.

[@guylr7390]

When checking compression always open the throttle to wide open to get an accurate reading. Great video on this old girl.

[@rusty383]

Very simple tech. A memorial to your dad

[@svurskasvurska8019]

Enjoyed the various homage moments to Ave but the vijao was positively stellar.

[@johnmarshall8095]

Its always nice to have a good ring on your johnson.

[@5695q]

Plasti-gage works great but generally is placed at the 180/360 point on the journal for best result, as far as the roughness or burr on the lower crank journal radius, do not hammer on the flywheel end of the crankshaft to get it to release the flywheel. There is more clearance between the flywheel and crankcase than the crankshaft and bearings, so you end up hammering the shaft into the bearing of the case. A micrometer and telescopic gages will help in honing the cylinders and keeping them within spec though you didn't remove much material. Never seize for the bolts since you're going into dissimilar metal, initial setting of low and high speed needle helps in starting and running in. throw a couple cinder blocks in the bow to help get it down when running solo.

[@patrickodonnell618]

Forgot to thank all you guy's with the really informative comments to. Such a great learning tool.

[@brantardrey7360]

I started mechanics in the late 60s anything and everything intrigued me I had books on magazines on every Everything boat motors always intrigued me small motors anyting any gas engine but all of this stuff is old hat to me but it's intriguing to see it come apart but all of that stuff that came about I thought about this stuff fifty years ago now it's commonplace but it's nice to see someone have a place to do it I never did

[@jamesclymer4647]

So I just discovered your channel Im 61 yrs old and I'm still learning everyday knowledge and wisdom are never ending the class that there isn't dismissal bell great channel. But I do have one ? all the work you put into getting your be Johnson to work did you finish the job by painting your Johnson and new decaled you know make the Johnson look like it did 50 years ago great work good little motor it will get you to your favorite bass hole right along that shady bank

[@scottfirman]

My hat is off to you sir. I have rebuilt many ,many snowmobile engines and personally, I hated working on boat engines. They are a different animal all together and required specialized equipment that I hate to fabricate. I hated having boats sitting around my yard waiting for me to fix the damn things. Eventually I just said no more. I know there is monety in boat engine repairs but I decided after a year of screwing with them, I had enough. The guy that instructed me on small engines got into PWC's or jet ski repair and decided to run with it. He let me work on the lawn equipment and snowmobiles while he concentrated on the PWC's. I have quit working on snowmobiles and limit what I repair any more.

[@ThaMan100982]

Never thought that I could use 50 minutes watching another guy fiddle with his johnson... And enjoy every minute.

[@grandpasutubechannel]

I worked for Johnson motors-Outboard marine corporation, OMC,in Waukegan Illinois in the 1970s early 80s and probably honed 10000 plus of the small engine block cylinders running a factory honing machine that honed 2 cylinders at once. Your motor looks like a 6 horse as I remember it. It was fun to to see one again.

[@walter2990]

Always set the high speed needle adjustments First, before you can set the Low idle adjustments. Edit: Love ALL of your videos and I'd love to come hang out with you, Brother!

[@weslangley2279]

Awesome again... There must be thousands of those Johnsons out there, just waiting to get back on the water. I heard some overseas company bought out Johnsons years ago....

[@dannyg402012]

I had an older boat with a 1956 30 Horse Johnson. It idled so low and perfect and was so quiet when I saw it and purchased it. It had an electric starter that didn't work but started on the 1st pull every time. I decided to replace the starter. It had the manual high speed and low speed mixture screw knobs sticking out from the cover. I removed them to take the cover off. All I did was maybe move the mixture screw a fraction of an inch when taking the knobs off. The starter replacement worked great BUT It never ran the same. Just touching the mixture screw made it harder to start it ran for a few minutes, would "Spit" and die. I cleaned the carbs, and no matter how much I adjusted them , it always would "spit" and die out.

[@allanmcgonigle3762]

I have never seen someone play with their Johnson so long. You are awesome

[@mfeldheim]

I had to laugh when you tried to stick it into the bucket but the water was frozen. Had a good time watching with all the thoughts you shared

[@daveb8598]

Thank you for showing your old Johnson to all of us!

[@richardploeser4267]

Brave Man! Rebuilding your JOHNSON in front of a camera AND audience!

[@peterwalton1502]

That engine is built so well

[@pierreretief]

That honing tool is awesome!

[@dboots133]

from start to finish i have totally enjoyed watching you work on your Johnson. thank you.

[@plainlogic]

That's a neat old Johnson you've got there.

[@ozzietadziu]

I've gained a significant amount of respect for you now that you're stopped playing with your Johnson.

[@btj1844]

Love your sense of humor! Keep up the excellent videos.

[@shepss217]

I use tub o towels wipes to wipe down cylinders and trasnmission parts before reassembly, you’d be amazed what they pick up

[@patrickpalmer3374]

I love those old motors, nice trolling engine.

[@billzussman5277]

Had some great memories using a 3 horse seahorse!! Loved seeing one again

[@TheStrongingrace]

You can call me Ray .... or you can call me Jay ...... But never call me Johnson !!!!! lolol ... kudos my friend .... new Sub here ... love all you did ... love to see what looks like a never run .... come out runnning and cared for .... Grand dad would and is very proud of this work .... 💯❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥

[@greggdsciotto8952]

Very much enjoyed you sharing your Johnson with us. Fun and educational video, Thx!

[@keithsilva6330]

More than likely you need to find the sweet-spot for the timing/ point gap setting . Also carbs on small engines make or break the operation character . I work on small generators and ive found the carb is the most detramental tuning/ functional point of concern... LOVE YOUR SHOWS... Your like that neighbor I used to have when I was a teen who was the go-to- guy for everything....

[@jimhawko1312]

I have a 1952 version, and you're right! It needs constant tweaking. You'll learn how to with use.

[@kalleklp7291]

Aluminum is an excellent heat conductor compared to steel. I use a fair amount of heat every time I have a stuck bolt (when the place allows heat to be applied). An electric heat gun reduces the fire hazard to a minimum. It was definitely worth doing the rings. You can run it for years again without trouble.

[@paulpresto7346]

bought one of these at a yard sale for 10 bucks-took it fishing with us on a 14 foot lowe aluminum-it work great---as an anchor---the 9.9 yamaha was like a jet and yard sale bolt bucket was like a pooped up old technology antena black and white tv.

[@LTeyler]

My only comment is that you should clean the whole engine before you break it down, to keep dirt from contaminating the internals. Great presentation and absolutely fantastic! Thank you.

[@skypilot23]

I had this on my 17' Grumman Eagle canoe in 1981 never forget being up on a plane 7 inches off the surface it was powerful but heavy

[@ronniehall1520]

Everyone loves to work on their Johnson Never called mine old lol enjoyed the clip

[@drgravy4742]

Thank you for showing what was wrong with the carb. I have the same issue and I couldn’t get to stop leaking. Now I’m going to rebuild my evinrude like you did your Johnson

[@notprovided2823]

Love this! If you employed a small laser pointer in place of your pen light, you'd achieve better comprehension by your viewers when it comes to identifying specific parts or damage in tight locations. Plus, there's no chance of accidentally scratching or damaging internal areas of an engine with a laser pointer, as opposed to using any tool or probe to point out exactly the item you're describing. Many thanks for showing this--I've inherited a 1953 Johnson 3-hp motor that looks MUCH like this. It ran well last time we used it (around the year 2000), but if it ever had problems, your video series on troubleshooting compression of your 5 hp gives me confidence towards potential service of my 3 hp motor. Thank you for doing such nice, helpful work describing the problems, step-by-step troubleshooting & testing (including Marvel Mystery Oil's impact on the issue), and getting things apart and back together successfully!

[@richardkilb8305]

Love your work! Very entertaining. The piston pin in the ring groove is to keep the piston ring from rotating and the end of the ring ending up in the exhaust port, that would be a disaster.

[@johnclarke6647]

I use ThreeBond 1184 as the RTV sealant on chainsaws. It is fuel resistant. Playtex Moto Seal is generally available at most parts houses. I used anaerobic sealer on one chainsaw and had to reseal it.😊

[@shaynedumas4436]

Just so you know I have found my new favorite You Tube channel... Thanks for all the great content brother... Keep on keeping on, see ya!!! Shayne From Arkansas

[@steveskouson9620]

First engine I ever used Plastigauge on, 1931 Victoria. (Funny, the guy's oldest child is named Victoria, and she later trashed that Model A.) Second car, a 57 Flip-top. (No, the younger kid is named Mark!) Mark was (IS) a good friend, and Dad let me learn cars. Plastigauged the Model A, with the engine out. The flip-top engine was still in the car. I even changed the main bearings. There is (was?) a tiny tool you put in the oil hole, and spun the engine over, and it pushed the upper bearings out. The High School auto shop teacher wouldn't let me take auto class, but I was one of a very few who could borrow tools to take home. (This teacher also had an "interesting" name for his kid. Steven Thomas Powers. Yep. STP.) I went to grade school with STP. steve

[@johnm396]

OMG a high maintenance Johnson lots of priming and pumping holy shit man you crack me up how do you get away with it? Thanks for the laughs I needed them today!

[@chrisyork7187]

I have a '54 Harley Davidson 165cc 2-stroke motorcycle that also has no reed valves. When I was investigating why this was so, I learned that reed valves did not become widely used until the late-'60s - at least in motorcycles. The earliest offering for Johnson reed valve I can find is for a 1968 70hp.

[@FriPilot]

Kroil penetrating oil for tight fasteners. Good stuff!

[@johntirrell8553]

Even though ss hadware,, alum castings galvanic action. All aluminum surfaces painted with zinc chromate. Heat and rust penetrants as well as patience will help immensely. Also an inpact driver for all the flat head screws and phillips. Don't use an air hammer. More heat and more blaster will get it apart without breakage

[@regio81]

Dude awesome to see you fix her up , I did all this to a 71 johnson 25hp , the idle thing in my opinion is your coils need to be flush with the magneto. Ps be careful not to break your keyfob when using the drill to turn the engine its happened to me a few times. Have fun.