Can anyone tell me about Johnson Powershift?

[newhamburgboating]

The reason i ask is that i am looking to put a bigger motor on my boat.

I have found an ad very close to me that seems to perfect to be true.

They guy wants to trade his 70's Johnson 70HP power shift for a 40HP (which is what i'm replacing) for a straight swap.

70 HP Johnson power shift - Kitchener / Waterloo Powerboats, Motorboats For Sale - Kijiji Kitchener / Waterloo Canada.


What am i getting into?

Thanks!
Steve

 

[boobie]

Re: Can anyone tell me about Johnson Powershift?

Get a model # from him and post it here.

 

[newhamburgboating]

Re: Can anyone tell me about Johnson Powershift?

79ESL / 74M

he a little unsure of whats after the slash (sounds like an older gent on the phone)

Second Question, see the picture, do you think she can handle it? I cant find any plate for the max HP rating. that means its wide open right

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Can anyone tell me about Johnson Powershift?

If a 70hp Johnson, manufactured in 1974, the model number would be 70ESL74... not what you have listed.

There is no such engine as a "Power Shift". I think what he may be referring to would be what is called a "Shift Assist" type lower unit.

The Shift Assist (1973 thru 1978) units have a manual type solenoid setup that assists shifting via a oil pump within the lower unit. It demands Type C gearcase lube.

Unless that boat is a homemade rig, there should be a plate on the inside portion of the transom indicating the maximum hp rating.

 

[newhamburgboating]

Re: Can anyone tell me about Johnson Powershift?

Thanks Joe,

As for the model, you are probably right, again, old man eye are likely the culprit here.

When i google Johnson Powershift, a lot of hits come back. Just a case of bad terminology?

And the boat itself, I dont believe it is home made. I found two plates on the back transom. But nether look like what i am used to seeing. See pictures.

 

[bonzoscott]

Re: Can anyone tell me about Johnson Powershift?

I think that is way too much motor for that boat. Is you're boat 15 feet? A 70 is pretty darn big. I would bet 300 lbs or more. I think a 55 would be as much as you'd want to try (two cylinders).

 

[newhamburgboating]

Re: Can anyone tell me about Johnson Powershift?

Bonzoscott, thanks, I have that feeling as well. But this situation seems fairly unique in that I have two perfectly working 40HP motors, Two boats (going to scrap the fiberglass whaler and keep the aluminum).

55 was what i had been looking for all along, but this 70 has pretty much fallen into my lap for a straight swap of one of my 40's.

I'm also willing to bet its easier to trade / sell a 70 in the spring and find a 55. then to do a 40 for a 55.

Also, the boat is a runabout (best i can find) with a closed nose, and a little more age. I think it has more weight to it just to begin with then what a 15' aluminum typically brings to mind.

Edit: Also, he thinks he motor is around 220lbs, whereas my 40 is around 170ish (by my guess)

 

[matt167]

Re: Can anyone tell me about Johnson Powershift?

That's an early 60's tin runabout, not sure of the brand but many were only rated for 40-50hp and they really didn't need that much to be useable.

 

[newhamburgboating]

Re: Can anyone tell me about Johnson Powershift?

Oh, don't get me wrong, the 40 does us just fine for two people and gear (33KM/H, eh!) but as soon as someone hops in we crawl at about 10-15.

This is what brought on the hunt for the 50/55HP, which lead to the 70HP straight swap find.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Can anyone tell me about Johnson Powershift?

The 40hp..... if you can find a four blade prop, I believe a Michigan AMC444 prop if memory serves me right... sticking that on the 40hp (replacing the 3 blade) is like bolting on another 40hp... amazing what a change in performance!

The 70hp weighs roughly about 225lbs as compared to a 40hp weighing about 125lbs which is quite an increase, however my fear wound be the torque generated by the 70hp which could tear a weak transom off.

I'd recommend checking into the 4 blade prop first if you're happy with the 40hp in all other respects.

 

[newhamburgboating]

Re: Can anyone tell me about Johnson Powershift?

Thanks Joe! I must admit, props and pitch are the last unkown territory for me to explore on this adventure. That is certainly something worth researching and trying out.

And yes I do have concerns over the size of the motor in the given situation. But a straight swap for my spare 40 to a 70 to test out and play with seems like a lot of fun.

I also a lot of faith in the transom (famous last words, i know)

 

[newhamburgboating]

Re: Can anyone tell me about Johnson Powershift?

Ok, Sorry to not reply sooner. Went to see the 70 and it was massive. changed my mind as soon as i saw it.

Next question, same kind of topic.

A buddy has a 1973 Merc 50HP 4 cyl 2 stroke.

Currently I'm running a 40HP Evinrude fast twin. Will this be a big enough change to be able to do tubing / carry 4 people with some decent speed? He only wants $300 for it and has Tank and controls. Also I know i can sell my current motor for 300 or more.

And yes, I know props will change everything. But +10HP has to be good for something.

I guess really my question is, in relative terms, how much more power can expect to see from a 1973 4Cyl Merc vs 1962 2Cyl Evinrude

Thanks,
Steve

 

[82rude]

Re: Can anyone tell me about Johnson Powershift?

that 50 hp merc if in good condition and compression numbers come out kosher is a nice motor.you might also have to change or modify your steering im not sure.does the merc have the tube ?remember one thing about mercs of that age ,parts are harder to find where as parts for that evinrude are all over the place.the merc with the proper prop will make that boat dangle along nicely.joe is correct though a prop change for the 40 will make a world of difference.i have a 1970 33hp evinrude tiller that I had on a wood 14 footer a few years ago and I went to camp loaded up with me(240lbs),25 gallons of gas,food and beer for a week and fishing gear plus a 15 hp evinrude just in case the 33 died.the 33 easily went up on plane and ran great.lots of torque in those 2 cylinder omc,s .

 

[F_R]

Re: Can anyone tell me about Johnson Powershift?

Does that boat have a capacity rating plate in it? That is what you should be looking at first. I dunno, seems to me like 4 people plus motor and gear may be asking for trouble.