You both are an inspiration and I look forward to your updates. Currently I’m in the middle of a partial restoration of a 1957 Duratech Sealine 13 with a ‘56 Johnson RD18 E.
You're likely the first person to use the words "inspiration" when describing Retro Grade, so congratulations??? 😂😅. We will try to keep posting up videos on the boat work as much as possible. Your Duratech sounds like a very cool looking boat, just looked them up. I haven't heard of too many of those - that hull looks very solid! I had an '56 Johnson 30HP electric start as well years ago on an old Fiberglass Lone Star boat I had. It was a great running engine. I think the only thing I wished it had was the quick disconnect harness plug on the side of the motor, that OMC added on the '57 35HP models. Either way, very good period correct choice for your boat! 👍 -Brock
@@retro_grade I have a question on the motor. It was converted to a 12volt starting system but it appears that the electric choke is the old 6 volt. Is there any way around that? I’d prefer not to have to manually set the choke.
@@cantwell161 I always forget that the 1956 motors were 6V and not 12 originally lol. Every one I messed with had been converted to 12V. In 1957 OMC went to 12V. I'm thinking that this choke solenoid assembly would bolt up? It was used for years from 1957 onward..... www.marineengine.com/newparts/part_details.php?pnum=OMC0385554
I have a 59 alumacraft transom build you will love to watch this month they are a pain in the ass to do. But it will help you tons on grandpas if you do that one. I will email you pics of when i did my grandpas 58 queen. Errors were made lol
If I didn't hate woodworking so much, they really wouldn't be that hard! Old beat up boats that just need something that works and holds up for now - slap some Cetol on it and call it a day. But, when you're trying to fit one to a boat that has to look good, that's a different story! I'll watch for your transom build video to come out!
Yeah.....and when you know you're going down the wrong path....but you're aggravated enough that you just keep going with it, as there's no going back lol
Typically, I don't ever use steel wool on chrome unless it's badly tarnished (much worse than this motor). And, when I do that, I only use 0000 Super Fine type, not anything course. I normally opt for Eagle One Never Dull polishing cotton. Takes a bit of rubbing but works wonders. This chrome on this motor will definitely get a once over with that :)
@@retro_grade That's right-0000 super fine works great, but the chrome wheel polish does too. The style of that motor just screams 1950s; honestly, there's not a single '50s Johnson motor style that I don't like.
@@rocket99dan yes it does! Such a wild difference between that and the Evinrude Starflite (which to me, has a very 1960's look to it). Then in 1959, all of the OMC stuff started looking more 60's styled (think of the all white Johnson motors and the blue "Golden Jubilee" Evinrudes). I love all of the 50's motors as well, with my favorites probably being the 1957 lineup of Johnsons and the 1956 Evinrude Lark :)
You both are an inspiration and I look forward to your updates. Currently I’m in the middle of a partial restoration of a 1957 Duratech Sealine 13 with a ‘56 Johnson RD18 E.
You're likely the first person to use the words "inspiration" when describing Retro Grade, so congratulations??? 😂😅. We will try to keep posting up videos on the boat work as much as possible.
Your Duratech sounds like a very cool looking boat, just looked them up. I haven't heard of too many of those - that hull looks very solid!
I had an '56 Johnson 30HP electric start as well years ago on an old Fiberglass Lone Star boat I had. It was a great running engine. I think the only thing I wished it had was the quick disconnect harness plug on the side of the motor, that OMC added on the '57 35HP models. Either way, very good period correct choice for your boat! 👍
-Brock
@@retro_grade I have a question on the motor. It was converted to a 12volt starting system but it appears that the electric choke is the old 6 volt. Is there any way around that? I’d prefer not to have to manually set the choke.
@@cantwell161 I always forget that the 1956 motors were 6V and not 12 originally lol. Every one I messed with had been converted to 12V. In 1957 OMC went to 12V. I'm thinking that this choke solenoid assembly would bolt up? It was used for years from 1957 onward.....
www.marineengine.com/newparts/part_details.php?pnum=OMC0385554
I have a 59 alumacraft transom build you will love to watch this month they are a pain in the ass to do. But it will help you tons on grandpas if you do that one. I will email you pics of when i did my grandpas 58 queen. Errors were made lol
If I didn't hate woodworking so much, they really wouldn't be that hard! Old beat up boats that just need something that works and holds up for now - slap some Cetol on it and call it a day. But, when you're trying to fit one to a boat that has to look good, that's a different story! I'll watch for your transom build video to come out!
I always love it when a plan finally comes together, but then really doesn’t. Cheers to more work ahead 😂
Yeah.....and when you know you're going down the wrong path....but you're aggravated enough that you just keep going with it, as there's no going back lol
Take some steel wool to that chrome, and she will shine like a mirror!
Typically, I don't ever use steel wool on chrome unless it's badly tarnished (much worse than this motor). And, when I do that, I only use 0000 Super Fine type, not anything course.
I normally opt for Eagle One Never Dull polishing cotton. Takes a bit of rubbing but works wonders. This chrome on this motor will definitely get a once over with that :)
@@retro_grade That's right-0000 super fine works great, but the chrome wheel polish does too. The style of that motor just screams 1950s; honestly, there's not a single '50s Johnson motor style that I don't like.
@@rocket99dan yes it does! Such a wild difference between that and the Evinrude Starflite (which to me, has a very 1960's look to it). Then in 1959, all of the OMC stuff started looking more 60's styled (think of the all white Johnson motors and the blue "Golden Jubilee" Evinrudes).
I love all of the 50's motors as well, with my favorites probably being the 1957 lineup of Johnsons and the 1956 Evinrude Lark :)