1950s 18 hp johnsons

Are the 1950s era johnsons any good? Do they use the standard johnson fuel line fitting? Might be getting one in a trade. It would be for a 14' v hull microcraft 1969

Most 50's models Johnson 18 hp run on a pressurized tank with 2 fuel lines, not the same tank and fittings that you find on modern Johnson's. They can however be converted over to a fuel pump and regular tank.

Flintcreek

I've got a 57 10HP johnson, runs off the pressurized tank previously mentioned, but as far as the outboard goes, It's GREAT! pUSHES MY 12ft along at 20+ mph and runs flawless

I currently own 3 of them, two Johnsons and one Evinrude. If you are considering this engine there is lots for you to learn. The engine was built to last a long long time and properly run and taken care of you will be able to pass it on to your grandchildren and it will still be running. No planned obsolescence was built into that series of engine. They have great power and close to perfect running characteristics. They are to be run on no less than 24:1 fuel/oil ratio no matter what your buddy or local mechanic tells you. Those guys will not be around when the piston skirts wear out and the engine gets noisy and hard to start. If you get the engine try and obtain as much service history as possible. If it has not been in service for several years it will need coils, points, condensors, possible carb kit, and by all means a new water pump assembly or at least a new impeller, new gear lube and keep track of the gear lube for the first several trips to insure that the old seals are still holding up. As far as the fuel tank goes there is no reason to change to a fuel pump. The pressure tank itself serves as a fuel pump and is incredibly simple in design and execution. With todays alcohol fuels more modern fuel pumps fail than pressure tanks do! On fuels, try and run gasoline with no alcohol if possible, much better on all rubber fuel system parts as well as the original cork float coatings if the original float is still being used. 89 octane is fine to run. One warning........once you get one of the old "classics" the bug will bite and you may have to acquire more.