1973 Johnson 50hp and 1974 Johnson 50hp

Breadbug

Cadet
Joined
Jan 11, 2013
Messages
15
I have a 1974 Johnson 50hp powershift 2. It's a long shaft. I need a short shaft. For sale on Craigslist is a 1973 Johnson 50hp short shaft with bad cylinders. Can I swap the lower end of the 1973 over to my 1974, or vice versa swap my power head over to the 1973?
 

gm280

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 26, 2011
Messages
14,605
Breadbug, I did a little research on those two engines and seem the mid sections are the same. So I could see them mating up well. But you can verify that before buying anything by going to boats dot net and typing in the two engine specifics and seeing the different parts for your self. I always go by the part numbers when seeing it other engine parts would fit. Hope that helps you out some.
 

jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
13,676
Crankshafts are the same as is the exhaust adapter, so the powerheads will swap. The gearcases, except for the shift rod and drive lengths are the same. However swapping the lower units will require disassembly of the gearcases to swap the driveshaft and shift shafts. Swapping powerheads would be easier
 

Breadbug

Cadet
Joined
Jan 11, 2013
Messages
15
Thanks guys. Great advice. That motor sold before I had a chance to pick it up but I'll keep looking and hoping.
 

gm280

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 26, 2011
Messages
14,605
Thanks guys. Great advice. That motor sold before I had a chance to pick it up but I'll keep looking and hoping.

Breadbug, any time you are considering different parts for engines and don't know if they were work or not, go to a parts exploded view site and compare parts and their part numbers to what you have. If the part numbers match, bingo, you got a part. There are always ways to figure out part replacement from different HP, year and models. Some will fit, some won't. JMHO
 
Top