Easy swap for 1960Evinrude to 1961 Johnson 40hp?

[outhere99]

Can a 1960 Evinrude 40hp powerhead (35018) swap out to a 1961 Johnson (RDSL-23) midsection easily? Will the Johnson electric start bolt on? Will I need to swap the ignition as well? How about the carburator, and fuel system?

I have a clean Evinrude short shaft that I'd like to swap for the broken Johnson. Would it be easier to simply transfer the extension from the Johnson long shaft leg instead... and transfer the starter?

Thanks,
J

 

[F_R]

Re: Easy swap for 1960Evinrude to 1961 Johnson 40hp?

They should be virtually the same motors. All those swaps you suggest should be do-able. The ignition system is the same, manual or electric start, but the manual one may not have a starter ring gear. But that is swappable. The carburetors are different because of the automatic choke on the electric start model. That also means the powerheads have water hose fittings for the automatic choke. That probably is the biggest difference.

 

[outhere99]

Re: Easy swap for 1960Evinrude to 1961 Johnson 40hp?

How about the extension... is the drive shaft and shift rod longer on the RDSL-23? Or is there a short section added with the 5" extension? Looking at the parts manual I don't see it listed.

 

[F_R]

Re: Easy swap for 1960Evinrude to 1961 Johnson 40hp?

Motors that came from the factory as a long shaft have a 5" longer drive shaft, lower shift rod, and water tubes. Motors that came from the factory as short shaft, but were converted to long shaft with the extension kit, will have extensions on those parts, except for the drive shaft, which will be 5" longer.

Then there are the motors that have been converted back and forth six or seven times since leaving the factory. Hard to tell what's in there.

"RDSL" came from the factory as a long shaft.