1983 40hp Johnson Workhorse points motor

[soundchaser]

I pulled this motor out of my motor pen today, This is gonna be my new project motor I'm about to start working on. It's a 1983 Johnson workhorse motor, model number J40RWLCTR. I do have a few questions about this motor. Apparently the rw in the model means (commercial with interlock) But what does Interlock mean here? And has anybody ever seen the lower unit with the the fins on it? And if so does anybody know if they're any good? Especially since this motor will be going on a very light 14' steury boat. I'm thinking I probably won't need the fins on this one.

And how late did they make points motors? Is this the last?

It's kinda funny because I got this motor probably about 6 to 7 years ago and never bothered with it because It had a real ugly cover on it. Well I was picking through some old outboard stuff the other day and there sat a decent looking original cover for this motor. So now I have a new interest for the motor.

Another Question: This motor has the three coil system on it right now, Can you just put an original two coil system back in place or will that screw up the timing?

Anyway, kinda an odd cool project, Thought you may be interested. Here's some pics.

 

[soundchaser]

Re: 1983 40hp Johnson Workhorse points motor

Yep it appears that 1983 is the last year for points on any 40's

 

[bktheking]

Re: 1983 40hp Johnson Workhorse points motor

Yep it appears that 1983 is the last year for points on any 40's

Wow that's a cool motor and what amazes me is that by 83 almost everything went electronic, the rs and rw models were the only motors that had it.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1983 40hp Johnson Workhorse points motor

Wow, a 1983 40hp, with the 1967 OMC quality. This here could prove to be a more reliable and bullet proof motor than anything else in the same year.
Hell, I think it would be very much worth fixing up. I believe the 33's of the late 60's and 40's of the early 70's would have the old style point/coil systems that would still work on this. It is a twin, right?

 

[bktheking]

Re: 1983 40hp Johnson Workhorse points motor

That third coil is a driver coil, i've changed my post a couple of times.

I'm thinking this coil drives the other 2 external coils, without it it won't run.

 

[soundchaser]

Re: 1983 40hp Johnson Workhorse points motor

did you notice the odd hydrofoil fins on the lower unit?

 

[soundchaser]

Re: 1983 40hp Johnson Workhorse points motor

Bktheking, What I was asking was if the whole top plate could be changed to old style two coil under the flywheel with no external coils style.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1983 40hp Johnson Workhorse points motor

i do not think so.

 

[soundchaser]

Re: 1983 40hp Johnson Workhorse points motor

Found a two magnet electric start flywheel from a 1974 40hp with same system, So I probably won't have to try to change it back to the old school way anyway. Just remembered I had it. I need this engine to be an electric start and it wasn't.

So Has anybody ever seen that weird hydrofoil before?

 

[bktheking]

Re: 1983 40hp Johnson Workhorse points motor

Found a two magnet electric start flywheel from a 1974 40hp with same system, So I probably won't have to try to change it back to the old school way anyway. Just remembered I had it. I need this engine to be an electric start and it wasn't.

So Has anybody ever seen that weird hydrofoil before?

I think they went with this type of magneto setup for better spark, I think if you went with the 2 under the flywheel it wouldn't be as "solid" a system as it is. If you look up the gearcase on shop.evinrude.com it shows it as gearcase with sidefins so yes it was available, sorry to disappoint but you don't have the 007 motor used in Goldfinger.....

 

[soundchaser]

Re: 1983 40hp Johnson Workhorse points motor

Would anybody happen to know if the compression ratio is the same on the commercial 40hp motors as the rest of them?

Oh and by the way Bktheking, It may not be a 007 motor,

But I can tell by the way you wrote that, You've never seen those side fins in person. not saying they're anything special, I don't even plan on using them. But they certainly are rare.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1983 40hp Johnson Workhorse points motor

I would keep those fins on there. Not only do they look cool, but they also work to stabilize the *** end of the boat, in the water.

 

[bktheking]

Re: 1983 40hp Johnson Workhorse points motor

Oh and by the way Bktheking, It may not be a 007 motor,

But I can tell by the way you wrote that, You've never seen those side fins in person. not saying they're anything special, I don't even plan on using them. But they certainly are rare.

Nope never seen them, most guys on my lake run either I/O's or bass boats with 200's on the back. I still think they are rare, something you don't see every day. I was making a joke with the 007 thing, I'd keep them on like Zeph said.

 

[soundchaser]

Re: 1983 40hp Johnson Workhorse points motor

yeah I may actually keep this as a workhorse just as is. Because I think this commercial motor has a lower compression ratio then a regular forty. cool enough to bring it back though.