'83 Johnson 50HP or 60HP, repair shop confusion.

[Kymasabe]

I have an '83 Cobia with what I thought was a 60HP Johnson 2-cyl. Recently the motor started running poorly so I had brought it to my local Johnson/Evinrude shop, they said plugs/spark/compression were all good but the carbs were nasty. Pulled them, soaked them, some new gaskets and adjustments and I'm back in business.

BUT...when I picked up the boat, I noticed that the invoice said the motor was a 50HP. I mentioned to the guy that I thought it was a 60HP, he said the block is stamped 50 and that the "plate" was missing. Well, I got home, found the plate on the side of the motor, just painted over and my model number is J60ELCTB which should be an electric start, '83 Johnson 60HP.

Now I doubt the expertise of the mechanic who worked on my boat and I'm wondering if there are different carb adjustments for 50hp and 60hp and if my carbs are now misadjusted or if they did something that could cause damage. Also, is it possible that the plate would say one thing and the block be stamped another?

 

[F_R]

Re: '83 Johnson 50HP or 60HP, repair shop confusion.

I doubt there is a problem. The 50 and 60 are so similar that I can see how he could make that mistake. Wouldn't make any difference as far as the work he did.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: '83 Johnson 50HP or 60HP, repair shop confusion.

Just a thought that it is a non original/rebuilt powerhead. Look carefully for the model number stamped into the block - the one the mechanic was quoting from. Maybe, as a matter of curiosity ask the mechanic to show you the one he was looking at and show him the plate you found. If it is the original powerhead, they will be identical. I can't tell you exactly where it will be (it's been a while since I looked for mine), but it will be there somewhere, as discovered by the mechanic. Sometimes you have to move wires around to find it. I'd be interested in what you find.