Hydro electric lower unit

[rolmops]

Hello Guys.<br />Is the 1972 65 horse 3 cylinder Johnson still outfitted with the problametic hydro electric shift unit? Or is there in these models an improved unit? If so,how much of a problem is it really?Are these units replacable by manual lower units?Are replacement parts for the hydro electric outrageously expensive, or are they comparable to manual unit prices?<br />Thank you for your opinions and comments.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Hydro electric lower unit

The 72 was a hydro-electric. I would hesitate to call them problematic. They were one of the most straight forward (oops --no pun intended) and simplest lower unit made.<br /><br />Obviously the problem now is parts availability. But thats to be expected with any 32 year old motor.

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: Hydro electric lower unit

The '72 65 does have the HE lower unit. Having a HE lower unit fixed with new OMC parts would be prohibitively expensive. However, if you do your own work, there are tons of good used parts and complete lower units out there, and they are inexpensive particularly for the 3 & 2-cylinder models. In my limited experience, they are no less or more reliable than the mechanical ones. They shift better if you run the correct fluid in them, available both OMC & aftermarket.<br /><br />I think the bad reputation stems from two factors. First, again it would be very expensive to have one fixed with new OMC parts (if available). Second, OMC also made purely-electric lower units 1960-1968, which I understand were more troublesome.<br /><br />I think they're good, inexpensive (due to the reputation) motors. If the fluid looks good & it shifts, go for it - should be a couple hundred buck less than a mechanical-shifting unit.