Thanks for all the feedback, guys. I just put the motor in the classifieds on this site as a parts motor. With all the support shown, looks like the cost of membership here was money well spent.
FYI, including this one, I have five motors. All the motors were acquired about 10 years ago and I’ve never really messed with them. Recently a friend wanted to see the motors and while showing them to him a desire to restore them came up inside me. The other four are:
1956 Johnson 15HP – I used this motor on a Glen-L Squirt boat that I built. I sold the boat but kept the motor. It’s been years since I started the motor, but I’ve no reason to believe it won’t run. This motor had already been restored (cleaned and painted) when I bought it, then I changed out all the ignition components and rebuilt the carburetor. Other than some missing paint on the top of the cowling, it looks great. It’s been stored inside in my office building along with all the other motors.
1967 Johnson 33HP – this motor was given to me and I was told that it starts. It certainly feels right when you pull the starter rope. I don’t have a boat to put it on and have never put it in a tank to see if it would run, but I believe it would. This motor is missing the cowling, but all of my other motors are complete.
1956 Johnson 30HP – motor seems a little loose when pulling the starter rope and so I believe it’s probably a little low on compression. I bought it primarily to use for parts for the motor below, but I’ve no reason to believe it wouldn’t be a fine motor on it’s own.
1957 Johnson Golden Jubilee Javelin 35HP – this is my prized possession amongst the group. The cowling is in excellent shape with all the chrome intact. This motor also seems very low on compression when the starter rope is pulled. This is the only motor that I have any real desire to own and thought about building a custom boat for it if it were restored. The idea of taking apart the 18HP and rebuilding it was to be a dress rehearsal for rebuilding this motor.
If anyone is interested in any of the above motors, shoot me an offer and I’ll consider it. Any comments or suggestions on how I might proceed with the Javelin would also be appreciated.
Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and advice regarding the 18HP.
