Help.. are johnson lower units interchangeable

[mrimike]

I just purchased a 1998 johnson 200 venom outboard that has a slight wobble to the prop/shaft. I pulled the drain plug and the gear oil has a slight foamy yellow look.. The boat went into gear and drove great. Wouldnt notice a problem unless you actually looked at it..
ANyways what am i looking at for a repair.. i can pull the lower unit off myselft.. i was looking into buying a used lower unit. I found a few johnsons here locally with a blown powerhead. one is a 94 175hp and one is a 2000 OMC, Evinrude, Johnson lower unit that was taking off a 250hp outboard motor in good condition. 25inch shaft.
Problem is mine is a short shaft... will either of these work? they want 375 and 300 for pricing.
thanks

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Help.. are johnson lower units interchangeable

First it's really doubtful if your is a short (15") motor. It may be if a race guy built it that way. We'll assume it's a 20" motor, the model number should be something like 200stlec.

The 94 175 unit will bolt up as is. Technically the driveshaft will be about 1/4" too short but we've seen lots of the 60* units on 90* motors and they work fine. Both yours and the 60* should have 2 piece driveshafts so you could pop your upper out and put in the 94.

The 2000 unit will bolt right up and be fine. If it's off of a hg or hgl model, you've hit the jackpot for that kind of money. The hg & hgl model gearcase is a Lightning case, rare to find one under $1000.

 

[mrimike]

Re: Help.. are johnson lower units interchangeable

they said it was a 25 inch shaft on the 2000 lower unit.
Mine is a 20 inch shaft... does this mean it wont work?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Help.. are johnson lower units interchangeable

It'll work. All you have to do is swap the upper driveshaft. Put yours in the other one. It takes a special tool but it only takes a minute to pop one out. If you're getting it from a dealer he'll have the tool. Make the swap part of the deal.

 

[mrimike]

Re: Help.. are johnson lower units interchangeable

ok heres my engine serial number g04402335 1998 johnson venom 200hp

heres some pics of the 2000 lower unit
300 bucks for it.. I dont understand.. is the upper shaft pictured?
you maybe cant see it but the splined shaft stops at 18 and 1/2 inches on the measure tape.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Help.. are johnson lower units interchangeable

That's what you're measuring - the upper driveshaft. If it came off of a 25" motor it'll be 5" longer (taller) than yours. Once you pull the water pump off it'll seem like the shaft is broke. It'll move all over easily. They attach a puller and pop it out. Then pop yours right in.

If yours measures the same then all you need is a new water pump and stick it back on.

 

[mrimike]

Re: Help.. are johnson lower units interchangeable

ok i picked up the 250 lower unit for 150$
it had low oil.. i think it has a leaky prop seal..--see picture---but it shifted in and out of gear great and felt nice. no slop and prop shaft straight..

and heres a pic of my motor with the wobbly prop..

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Help.. are johnson lower units interchangeable

Wow! Where did you get the Turbo lift? Haven't seen one of those in years. That was the first plate I saw that was built correctly.

 

[mrimike]

Re: Help.. are johnson lower units interchangeable

actually got the whole package for 1500. motor runs super.. but i noticed the wobble in the prop.
came with all wiring hydraulic cmc jackplate and setback and turbo lift plate and hydraulic seastar steering system and all gauges adn 40 gallon gas tank full of good gas.
Does that look like the short 20 shaft motor.. will that other lowerunit work without having to get the shaft pulled out?
How do i go about disconnecting the shift linkage on my johnson?
thanks for all your help

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Help.. are johnson lower units interchangeable

The easiest way to get to the shift shaft connection is to remove the port side pan. Then it's a straight shot with a 1/4" drive socket & extension. That'll make getting it back on a lot easier too.

I'd strongly suggest getting a OE service manual. You'll need to check the shift rod height before you put the other unit back on and the measurement & proceedure is in there.

That was a great deal. Congrats!