Jphnson 50p Electric Shift -- What would you do?

[Nismoron]

I recently bought an old boat to restore. It came with a Johnson 50hp motor that is electric shift. Not original motor. It supposedly runs great but needs a stator. (yeah, yeah, yeah, I know... ) Seeing as how the boat and trailor are worth a good bit more than I paid, I figured it was still a win situation if the motor was junk. I hooked a battery and portable fuel tank to it today and tried to crank it.... No joy. No fire at all, as I suspected with a bad stator. Seems to have good compression from sound and feel. Have not compression tested.

I want to junk the motor for scrap. Electric shift scares the hell outta me as far as $$$ going in for repairs. Now and in the future. My best friend (also, my motor mechanic) wants to put some time and a little $$$ (my money) into it to see if we can get it going. If we can get it to run, but lower is or goes bad, he says we can use the powerhead to fix another blown motor to make a good one...

What would you guys do? Junk it and find a 50-70hp Johnyrude (+ controls) to install, or give the electric shift motor a shot. Motor seems to be in pretty good condition other than not running... haha I know we have all heard that one before...

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Jphnson 50p Electric Shift -- What would you do?

There are a lot of those electric shift motors out there still running strong. You need to do some testing and find out what exactly is wrong. Forget what you were told and find out for yourself. Start with a compression check.

 

[Nismoron]

Re: Jphnson 50p Electric Shift -- What would you do?

Yeah, i'm not worried about what I was told. I'm assuming the worst. I dont dont have a compression guage and I took the motor off the boat today. As well as the whole cap... So there is no putting the motor back on for quite a while...

Is it possible to compession check a motor off the boat and with no power for starter?

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: Jphnson 50p Electric Shift -- What would you do?

go get you a 1979 or newer 70..unless you just want an old piece of crap motor. Those electric shifts are worthless in my opinion. I had a 69 40 HP sea horse..I advertised it for free..run great and good compression but the electric shift was gone..no takers..took it to the scrap yard. I have a 1984 75 Rude that runs great, I will sell it for $800 if you are anywhere near savannah GA. but you could find another one near you for about that same price if not.

 

[Nismoron]

Re: Jphnson 50p Electric Shift -- What would you do?

go get you a 1979 or newer 70..unless you just want an old piece of crap motor. Those electric shifts are worthless in my opinion. I had a 69 40 HP sea horse..I advertised it for free..run great and good compression but the electric shift was gone..no takers..took it to the scrap yard. I have a 1984 75 Rude that runs great, I will sell it for $800 if you are anywhere near savannah GA. but you could find another one near you for about that same price if not.

Thats kinda what I was thinking... I kinda had it in my mind to look for something in the 70hp range. Montgomery, Al by the way. I'm not ready to buy a motor right now unless I find a tremendous deal. I have a floor and transom to replace as well as restore alot of little things on the boat. It's a 60 model, so lotsa work to be done before I invest in a motor. Gotta make sure I get close to finishing the boat. I'd hate to have to sleep with that new motor if I cancel the boat project... :facepalm:

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Jphnson 50p Electric Shift -- What would you do?

I would check the compression---doesn't have to run to do that. Also, check the lower unit oil. If the l.u. oil has any water in it or the compression wasn't nice and even on both cylinders, I'd probably just part it out. I have an electric shift 50hp that runs great and is relable. I actually like how it has a very quick and smooth shift. The stators and cd boxes are fairly expensive parts, and those electric shift motors didn't have my favorite ignition systems on them.....
Good motors, though, if they're RIGHT.
JBJ

 

[Nismoron]

Re: Jphnson 50p Electric Shift -- What would you do?

cd boxes??? never heard of that one.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Jphnson 50p Electric Shift -- What would you do?

battery cd igntion. Also referred to as a powerpack, I reckon.....
JBJ

 

[Nismoron]

Re: Jphnson 50p Electric Shift -- What would you do?

Ah, gotcha. That or coil packs is what I've always heard them called.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Jphnson 50p Electric Shift -- What would you do?

Yea, I totally agree with jbjennings and bhile. That motor should be checked out good and make sure everything is in goood working order. If it is, then it's a good deal. If not, then look at the cost of repairing. Electric shift motors are very spendy to replace anything. I stay away from them, myself

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Jphnson 50p Electric Shift -- What would you do?

What year is the engine? If it a battery CD motor, I wouldn't fool with it. If is a magneto CD motor, I might.

The hydro-electric shift motors can be fine, depending on what problems they have. I would first compression, look for signs of overheating, etc. Next would be the shift system. If its working, the motor might be worth fixing. What you really need is a maintenance manual for it, so you can do the various tests that will tell you what is working and what isn't.

I do not agree with you friend's opinion that the powerhead can just be thrown onto another motor. It sounds like he thinks that you could use it on a later model engine and that isn't true, because the mounting boss for the mechanical shift mechanism, isn't there on the older motor.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Jphnson 50p Electric Shift -- What would you do?

I'd be very tempted to part it out. Shift coils may be worth some money or the whole leg.
Not sure but it may need a special stator?There is no doubt the shift buttons are scarce as hens teeth.
Even the cover could be a hot item.If its a hydro electric those components must be hard to find at this point.

 

[Nismoron]

Re: Jphnson 50p Electric Shift -- What would you do?

thanks for the advice guys. But my question may be answered by of all people... My wife! I caught her looking at new outboards on the internet a while ago... Go figure?!?! She wants to put a $8000 motor on a $300 boat. Now I guess I just have to figure out what I want. I like old johnnyrudes... The newest motor that I have ever owned was a 97 Yamaha. I guess I'll have to do some research and see who makes motors that are worth a damn these days. haha. Gonna suck to have to go to a dealer for scheduled maintenance...

I may try to talk her into an older model...

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Jphnson 50p Electric Shift -- What would you do?

THis is just my opinion, but since I buy a lot of old worn out boats and motors, I think it may be of at least a little value.
I would NOT buy a nice motor and put it on an old boat. You can buy a whole rig that has light use and has all the newest gadgets and trolling motors, etc. that is not old and worn out for the price of a new motor or even a used newer motor by itself. That's just how it works.
If you put a new motor on an old boat, and one day you decide to sell it, you won't get nearly as much as you would for a good rig with a boat of the same age as the motor.
I would get a used motor to put on the boat, or do the aforementioned tests and see if the used one is worth fixing. If you and your wife like boating that much once you use your current one a little, you can sell the old one and get a new rig when you feel like it.
Once again, just my opinion,
JBJ

 

[Nismoron]

Re: Jphnson 50p Electric Shift -- What would you do?

If you and your wife like boating that much once you use your current one a little, you can sell the old one and get a new rig when you feel like it.
Once again, just my opinion,
JBJ

We already know that we like boating. We recently sold our saltwater center console and still have another boat as well as three kayaks. Once daylight savings time kicks in and we have more hours of daylight after work, we're usually on the water 3 or 4 days of the week! Every week until the time changes back.

I think that I have over-ridden her desire for a new motor. I found a deal this weekend for a running '77 Johnson Seahorse 70hp on an old 17ft trihull AND a running 60hp electric shift (with bad foot) on a 14ft trihull. $550 for both if I tote them off.

I can:
1) Use the 70 on my boat.
2) Put the 60 with my good foot on the 17ft trihull and and sell it. I already have a buyer that wants the parts to build his own project.
3) Chainsaw the little trihull. It's pretty rotted.
4) Then I have an extra, light trailer that I can use for my current project boat. It currently has a HEAVY tilt roller trailer that feels like it is made of cast iron. It weighs ALOT more than the boat itself.
I can take the heavy trailer to scrap metal or make a utility trailer out of it.

The only waste will be the rotted out 14ft trihull.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: Jphnson 50p Electric Shift -- What would you do?

sounds ok if you are focused on keeping your investment real low...but as always you get what you pay for, I tend to think along the lines of jbjennings, The boat market is overflowing with boats selling for about half value or less. to do a boat restore and tinker with old motors is kind of counter productive. You can buy a newer (80s-90s) "ready to go" boat motor and trailer for a good price ($1200-3000 range)...that would be my route, probably will come with life jackets, anchor, depth finder, fire extinguisher..all the little extras that nickle and dime you. do some craigs list searching and you will eventually find what you want at a great deal with no restore required.

 

[Nismoron]

Re: Jphnson 50p Electric Shift -- What would you do?

sounds ok if you are focused on keeping your investment real low...but as always you get what you pay for, I tend to think along the lines of jbjennings, The boat market is overflowing with boats selling for about half value or less. to do a boat restore and tinker with old motors is kind of counter productive. You can buy a newer (80s-90s) "ready to go" boat motor and trailer for a good price ($1200-3000 range)...that would be my route, probably will come with life jackets, anchor, depth finder, fire extinguisher..all the little extras that nickle and dime you. do some craigs list searching and you will eventually find what you want at a great deal with no restore required.

I want to do the restore. That is why I bought it. It as alot of character. Picture an old mahogany barrelback runabout, except made of fiberglass. It has all kinds of neat art deco looking 50's hardware. But I do not want a 50's or 60's motor on it. But I dont really want the cosmetics of a new motor either.

Someone pointed out that I should get a 79 or newer. I am more familiar with the 50's -70's motors.
I already have all of the life jackets and nickel and dime stuff as well as a NICE sidescan fishfinder to put on this boat. I just have to get a transducer/harness so I can swap between boats when i want.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: Jphnson 50p Electric Shift -- What would you do?

well if you WANT to do a restore..then that is a totally different ball game. I am mostly focused on getting the most bang for my buck, so I am all about practical and functional. restoring old boats is a great hobby, I am sure you will spend hours of great pleasure and fun tracking down parts and restoring your boat, I fish for a hobby, so the less time I can spend on my boat/motor the more time and money I have to fish. in your case I would recommend what you have lined up, that will be a great deal for you.

 

[Nismoron]

Re: Jphnson 50p Electric Shift -- What would you do?

well if you WANT to do a restore..then that is a totally different ball game. I am mostly focused on getting the most bang for my buck, so I am all about practical and functional. restoring old boats is a great hobby, I am sure you will spend hours of great pleasure and fun tracking down parts and restoring your boat, I fish for a hobby, so the less time I can spend on my boat/motor the more time and money I have to fish. in your case I would recommend what you have lined up, that will be a great deal for you.

I fish for my hobby as well. It's just too cold and windy for my little Gheenoe this time of year. I was originally looking for a little 14ft trihull or aluminum v-hull to use so that I could fish when windy and choppy. The gheenoe is a cold wet ride this time of year. Anyway, I found this thing and fell in love. I have restored several old cars in the past and am handy with the fiberglass. So I didn't see anything that I could not fix, except the motor. I have a great motor guy, but he has never worked on an electric shift. He was willing to give it a try, but I am reluctant to put any money into it. Thus this thread... I think we have it all worked out now.

My motor guy wants the trihull and the two parts motors... hahaha sucker! Hate to do that to my best friend, but he WANTS it!:facepalm:

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Jphnson 50p Electric Shift -- What would you do?

I'd love to have the 70hp....... I've never owned one but I hear they're very reliable and smooth-running motors. Sounds like a heckuva deal all the way around. Good luck----but be prepared to do some lower unit resealing, new hoses, etc. on the 70. "Running" can mean a lot of different things to different people.
JBJ