Re: 1952- 58 Johnson or Evinrude 15/18 best years?

[Leon]

quote Randy in Tampa:

I agree I like the 57- 58 the best myself, I like to convert mine to a single fuel line with a Briggs & Stratton fuel pump… 😎

quote 1946Zephyr:

I’ve always found the 57 and 58 clamshell 18 Johny/Rudes to be the best. The later fiberglass hooded models are nice, but you have to watch out that the little rubber mounts aren’t eaten up with electrolysis and corrosion, which quickly break apart. This usually happens, when you beach the motor, or you decide to replace one that looks bad. I almost bet anyone my last buck, the nuts on them snap right off, during removal. Once these break, then your hood and lower pan together rattle a nice little chorus to you. The older clamshell versions held up a bit better when you beach the motor and if the rubber shock mounts are in good condition, the motor will run pretty quiet anyhow.
I heard a lot here say the 1954 Johnson 10’s were pretty peppy.

That is actually simple to do. Even going factory is easy, with a later fuel pump and bypass cover 😎