TOPIC: Stater ID on 1958 Johnson Super Seahorse

I've started working on the 1958 Super Seahorse I picked up last fall... just really trying to go through it and get it running.

Anyways... the motor came with a johnson 'red' starter bracket and starter on it, and with a 'spare' johnson 'white' start bracket.

The following model numbers are on the starters.

Johnson 'Red' (on motor)model number on a brass tag
Auto-Lite MDH 4001M 3L


Johnson 'white' (spare) number stamped into steel housing of starter
Auto-Lite M__ 4002M 12V (the two spaces behind the M in the part number are either the digits 54 OR are the letters DH)

So the question.. finally.. which starter is correct for this motor, and are they interchangeable parts numbers?

Thank you for your time and information in advance.

Hey Retro (Rick, right?) how's it going? It may have an Autolite tag, but those are Prestolite style part numbers. I'll check at work tomorrow and see what the parts books tell us. Good luck with the old girl.

Thank you Mark. Andy here, Rick is another Lake N Sea owner in Pennsylvania.
I appreciate the help... just like to know what I have on the motor, so thank you. and yes, the tags did say auto-lite.. maybe auto and presto shared a common numbering system?

According to the Lester program, they ARE interchangeable Andy.

Perfect Mark, thank you! You just never know with a motor who's cotter pins have just about all been replaced with fishing tackle... I figured if the starter was on, and looked to be the same size, that it would work, but always great to check. Thank you again!

Andy

The white bracket is the original starter to your motor (or closer to it). The red bracket is an earlier starter (as evidenced by the strap at the base of the motor). That bracket is somewhat scarce and was used on '56 to '58 Johnson clamshell hooded models using a 12V starter. DO NOT cut the "arrow" tip off the front of the bracket, as that is what makes it unique to the Johnsons and is needed to properly mount the cowling...

Chine.. thank you very much! good info to have... I will most likely put the original starter bracket back on.. my assumption is that the original starter may be toast..

In this case, if anyone it looking for this bracket and sees this post, i may be able to help you out.

Cheers
Andy