Johnson 55 What Year ? And what do I need ?

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Vapour1ze

Seaman
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Oct 21, 2010
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Just picked this up for 100 bucks guy told me it ran last year no problem, it has no controls with it but the main positive and negative wire are accessible as well as another cable with about 10 wires coming out of it color coated, is there a way just to rig this uo to start or what do I need to do I will post pictures later tonight ,,

Model number tr-10r
Serial number j2977440

Thanks everyone this thing is a beast I plan on putting it on my wooden 14' because a 25 wouldnt even plane the boat out with 3 people
 
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Vapour1ze

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Messages
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Re: Johnson 55 What Year ? And what do I need ?

Says unavailable on that website and previous owner kept them for his other motor ,,,, what can I do ?
 
jay_merrill

jay_merrill

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Re: Johnson 55 What Year ? And what do I need ?

Try EBay. You can use either the Johnson or Evinrude version. Be careful if you find an Evinrude unit, however - there are two types of electric shift and Evinrude call both of them "Selectric." The one you need is for a "hydroelectric" shift system. The other type will not work on your motor.

Be aware, also, that there is a black plug version of the control box you need and a yellow plug version. You need the black plug version, which is for the motors with battery-CD ignition. The yellow plug version is for the later motors, with magneto-CD ignition.
 
oldrudedude

oldrudedude

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Re: Johnson 55 What Year ? And what do I need ?

If you could find a used control unit to buy for the motor it would be easiest, but if you are adventurous electrically you could cobble together a control. You will still need some kind of lever to activate the throtttle cable. If you can't find a control specific for YOUR motor, finding one for ANY Evinrude/Johnson hydro-electric shift would be the next easiest. Other than that a controller from a manual shift with a few cobble electrical components would do. It all depends on your abilities and/or what you are willing to do.
 
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blake.lee29

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Re: Johnson 55 What Year ? And what do I need ?

I have one that I think will work I may be getting rid of. I bought a trash boat for the trailer and it had an old 55 with the control box. Mine is a 1968 55 hp evinrude. I'm gonna play with it tonight and see if I can get it to run... But I don't wanna invest a lot of time. I'll get back with you tomorrow.
 
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Vapour1ze

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Messages
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Re: Johnson 55 What Year ? And what do I need ?

awesome let me know, turns out all I need is the ignition or whatever I have a control that works with it, I just dont have whatever hooks up to all of the wires, let me know. THANKS! EDIT
 
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Vapour1ze

Seaman
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Oct 21, 2010
Messages
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Re: Johnson 55 What Year ? And what do I need ?

Ok so heres an update, I got the motor mounted to the boat today, I also found out the current controls in the boat well at least just the throttle control hooks up and works for this motor, STILL NO SHIFT CAPABILITIES THOUGH I am completely unaware at how the shifting mechanism works, I also spliced back the main cable and have 10 wires exposed, what do I need to do, is there a way to rig something up to make this work seeing as my throttle and steering at the front of the boat is fully controllable,,, see pictures and video for more detail. THANK YOU!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVETqDuouq8

motor1.JPG

motor2.JPG
 
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Vapour1ze

Seaman
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Oct 21, 2010
Messages
68
Re: Johnson 55 What Year ? And what do I need ?

Do I need a differnet throttle control unit or what?
 
oldrudedude

oldrudedude

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Re: Johnson 55 What Year ? And what do I need ?

I see a cable end attached to the throttle lever. Do you have the whole cable?

Here is how you make it shift: You have probably discovered already that the lower unit defaults into forward gear. There are two shift solenoids in the lower unit. When current is supplied to neither of them (engine off) the engine is in forward gear. As soon as the engine is turned on current is supplied to the neutral solenoid and ..... You guessed it, it goes into neutral to make starting easier. Shifting into forward is done by simply taking current away from the neutral solenoid. To shift into reverse both the neutral solenoid and the reverse solenoid must be energized (have current). If you look at the base of the powerhead on the right side (sort of just under the throttle lever), you will see two wires coming out of the lower leg. Those are the shift solenoid wires. One is dark green (neutral ) and the other is dark blue (reverse). Power to the green and ground on the case should shift into neutral. Power to both the green and the blue together and ground on the case should shift into reverse. Couple years ago I saw a post by a member describing how he wired his own shift switch. Search the archives and see what you find. Have fun and good luck.
 
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