Reply To: RDE-17 electric start part numbers 1955 25hp

[The red boat]

I’ve received a lot of good advice from members of this forum so hopefully my contribution helps others.
I am in the middle of converting my 1955 RD-17 to an electric start RDE-17.
Below are the parts I have acquired, their source and part numbers. Everyone should verify this for your own particular motor before purchasing parts but these have worked well for me:

Item / Manufacturer / Source / Quantity

1957 Johnson starter bracket / Johnson original equipment / Ebay / 1
Replacement Starter – MDO4002M / Parts Player / Amazon / 1
Flywheel part #580177 / Johnson original equipment / Ebay / 1
Starter Solenoid SW058 / Arco / Ebay / 1
RDE Carburetor / Johnson original equipment / Private Seller / 1
Carburetor Rebuild kit #7024 /Laing’s Outboards / Laings / 1
Resistor for choke solenoid #8NE10306 / Tisco / Amazon / 1
4 AWG Battery Ground Cable 6 feet long / Autozone / 1
4 AWG Starter Cable 4 feet long / Windy Nation / Amazon / 1
4 AWG Battery Cable 2 feet long / Windy Nation / Amazon / 1
Starter Switch #11781 / Sea Choice / Amazon / 1
Choke Switch #11781 / Sea Choice / Amazon / 1
Wiring harness from dash to solenoid 16AWG 4 conductor 25ft part #E3615 / Carol / Amazon / 1
Switch mounting plate for L75-22 switches / Watson’s Streetworks / Watson’s / 1
Mercury Switch Part #376323 Johnson original equipment / Ebay / 1

total cost so far for all of the above is around $350.