Help reviving 1926 Johnson A-25

[free1986]

This motor was just picked up today and I am planning to try to get it running.  My friend picked it up for me and checked that it turned over and had some compression. Compression seemed light to them compared to a ’50s 3hp but I haven’t had my hands on it yet.  It has been sitting a very long time according to the previous owner. I believe it is a 1926 Johnson A-25.  This is my first pre-1950s motor and I have a lot of questions.

From what I have read, the magneto is most likely okay, but it will need a new condenser and plug wires.  What condenser is recommended as a replacement for these?

I see in some videos of these people mentioning to be careful not to get shocked on the plugs, especially while turning the engine to reverse.  Is there a reason not to use regular rubber spark plug boots?

What kind of plug wire is original? How do I change them? Just pull out/ push in to magneto?

What should I coat the carb float with? Or is there a modern type float I should replace it with?

Besides changing the grease in the gearcase and cleaning the gas tank and carb, is there anything I need to check/ fix that I haven’t mentioned?

Any sources for a reproduction tiller grip?

What size and how long should the starter rope be?

Hope I didn’t do too bad on it for $80.  Early motors are not very common in my area from what I can tell.  Also there is a small chance the seller may be able to track down the original crate from another family member (said he remembered it being around when he was a kid) so I have a tiny bit of hope on that.

[Tubs]

I believe that year takes the universal grip and
a reproduction grip is available as well as decals.
Lubriplate 105 or John Deere Corn Head Grease
should be used in the lower unit.
With that better than average gas tank I would
think if you offered that motor for sale, asking
$ 80.00, at a club swap meet it would go pretty quickly.
Here is a link to an earlier thread that may answer
some of your other questions.
Tubs.
https://www.aomci.org/forums/topic/1929-johnson-model-j-25-plug-wire/

A "Boat House Repair" is one that done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.

[free1986]

Thanks for the help Tubs.  I have it running pretty well I think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEhbF5DlxrE

[joecb]

God job!  They are sweet running motors, as you no doubt learned.  Yours’ looked to be complete and unmolested, even had the commonly missing carb intake tube.

Joe B

[free1986]

It is a fun runner. It was missing one transom clamp pad and half the locking ears on the reverse lock casting were broken off, otherwise very complete.  I got good used replacements from Penn’s Old Outboards.  Here’s another clip of it running at a meet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7q2sARbuuY

[Tubs]

The early Johnson’s are great motors and
fun to run. In a few years from now you’ll
be running a 100 year old motor. As you
have proven yourself to be qualified to revive
an antique outboard I hope you’ll be able
to acquire more. The way they did things
and the advancement in the technology
for the time has been fascinating to me
and I really enjoy running them. I hope
you get as much enjoyment of this hobby
as I have.
Tubs.

A "Boat House Repair" is one that done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.

[bobw]

Great to see you got this one running again.    Runs good too!

Bob

1937 Champion D2C Deluxe Lite Twin
1954 Johnson CD-11
1955 Johnson QD-16
1957 Evinrude Fastwin 18
1958 Johnson QD-19
1958 Johnson FD-12
1959 Johnson QD-20

“Every 20 minute job is only a broken bolt away from a 3-day project.”
"Every time you remove a broken or seized bolt an angel gets his wings."

[Author]

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