Johnson 15HP Conversion to Short Shaft

[jeeter]

I would like to convert a 1978 Johnson 15HP longshaft motor, Model 15RL78B,Ser.# E5010904, from my sailboat to a standard shaft length. I have purchased a standard length shifter & driveshaft. I can not remove the copper water tube to replace with standard length and am considering cutting it with a hacksaw blade. <br />Any thoughts on doing this before I make the cut?? I am assuming I can restore the water tube to original length by using a compression fitting and re-connecting the cut-off piece.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[Steve135]

Re: Johnson 15HP Conversion to Short Shaft

Jeeter, I did this to a 1976 Johnson 25 hp. <br />I used a compression fitting and it held and never failed. I cut my shaft and rewelded it back together. I cut the exhust tube also and did the same. The big problem was the water tube! Because you have to take the powerhead off to do the tube.<br />Since the engine was as old as it is. I wasn't unhappy with an inspection plate. I cut a hole in the side of the housing about 2 by 4 inches. I really can't remember now how big it was. I hack sawed the water tube at this location and used the fitting here so I could aline the weird bend on the bottom later durring lower unit assemblly. I made a dimond plate cover and shaped it with a hammer and 2x4 so as the match the curve in the outside housing. Drilled and tapped 10 holes and use some gasket material and reassembled it. Sounds like a lot of work but it only took a couple of hrs.\<br />steve