Motor Replacement

S

SteCara

Recruit
Joined
Jun 19, 2025
Messages
3
Hello,
I have a 2002 Sweetwater 22 foot with a 2001 90 HP Johnson that just threw a rod and I'm told that the motor is now irreparable. Looking for next steps as I want to keep the boat and just get a new motor installed on it.
I'm new to all of this... Have had the boat for about three years and love the life. Out on the water pretty much every chance I get.
Any advice and or what to look for in the process would be greatly appreciated. I am in the Portage Lakes area of Ohio.
Thanks! Steve
 
J

jlh3rd

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 10, 2017
Messages
687
Is there a dealer you trust.
Are you happy with 90 hp or do you want more.
If you want more, there should be a placard that states what the max hp rating for your boat is.
Motors come in short shaft or long shaft versions. Look it up, do homework.
Motor/prop height is more critical for a pontoon.
Obviously your original motor worked just fine so that shaft length and prop position is good. Jusy copy that.
A good dealer should know all this, as this is the most critical part about re-powering a pontoon.
I know about this, I re-powered mine.

Your engine instruments and controls will probably switch over if you get another Johnson. If you don't , then that can be an additional cost..
I switched from a 2005 Merc to a 2021 Merc, everything swapped over.
 
S

SteCara

Recruit
Joined
Jun 19, 2025
Messages
3
jlh3rd said:
Is there a dealer you trust.
Are you happy with 90 hp or do you want more.
If you want more, there should be a placard that states what the max hp rating for your boat is.
Motors come in short shaft or long shaft versions. Look it up, do homework.
Motor/prop height is more critical for a pontoon.
Obviously your original motor worked just fine so that shaft length and prop position is good. Jusy copy that.
A good dealer should know all this, as this is the most critical part about re-powering a pontoon.
I know about this, I re-powered mine.

Your engine instruments and controls will probably switch over if you get another Johnson. If you don't , then that can be an additional cost..
I switched from a 2005 Merc to a 2021 Merc, everything swapped over.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your response. Yes, I've got a guy that I'm working with in the area that I trust. 90hp is plenty for me, just having difficulty finding a used motor in that range in my area. He told me the same thing about the controls so I'm trying to find a Johnson / Evinrude around the same year to keep everything compatible. On top of the cost of the motor, what should I expect ballpark cost of the labor to be? I'm expecting a couple thousand, but don't want to be too shocked if it's more than that.
 
redneck joe

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
11,950
If you find same era motor labor should be a few hundred bucks, at least around here and any shade tree mechanic with an engine hoist or you with a harbor freight pully and a tree can do. Swapping like for like takes just a couple three hours tops. If you do find same family, keep the old one for parts. Many times a motor 'family' only has a few part different like carbs ports etc. Or search for rebuilt powered as suggested. More labor, less replacement cost,
 
S

SteCara

Recruit
Joined
Jun 19, 2025
Messages
3
Thanks for your advice on this all! Any suggestions on where to find a good used motor? I have been going through Ebay and Facebook Marketplace, as well as just Googling... Not having much luck so far.
 
tpenfield

tpenfield

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 18, 2011
Messages
18,277
It may take a while to find a used motor that matches the brand, HP, and model year. You can probably go +/- a few years and still have compatibility with your controls. Some folks sell used motors with the controls, so that may also be an option.

Don't expect it to be quick though . . . If you want quick, then you will be looking at new or nearly new motors.
 
redneck joe

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
11,950
Cool, not much more than a like for like whole swap. If me, I'd do the rebuilt powerhead if I trusted my mechanic. Just my .075 cents worth of opinion.
 
J

jlh3rd

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 10, 2017
Messages
687
yep..and you don't have to get an exact year or model for controls to swap. There was a 16 year split between my 2 mercs. Just double check.
 
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