Home › Forum › Ask A Member › Best years for OMC 10 horse? › Re: Best years for OMC 10 horse?
Slightly off topic, but I just finished a full rehab on a 5.5hp ’55 johnson for a customer. Was his grandfathers from Missourri, still has the registration sticker on it from that state. I only work on a handful of these 50’s motors each year and they are all rehabs for folks looking to get their motor going again for nostalgic purposes.
The motor needed pretty much everything, but now has a new lease on life for hopefully another 61 years…! Still amazes me how easily they start (almost with no choke!), how low it idles down, and how smooth it runs. This one had been sitting for decades and has no rod knock at all, quiet, and smooth through the whole power range.
One thing I have to say that I didn’t notice before is the beefy springs used as vibration dampeners throughout. (and can these 5.5hp be fitted up with the newer style 6hp shift linkages to eliminate the need to remove the powerhead for gearcase servicing?…any issue with the lower crank oil seal with this type of conversion?)
After having changed out a hundred or so rubber motor mounts on the 60’s and up motors I work on everyday, I may just try to get my hands on one of these mid 50’s motors for my own personal use. Definitely built to last and take abuse back in the day!
Next job order is for a ’58 Fastwin…same deal…full rehab, but both motors are nice original condition, complete motors in decent cosmetic shape.