Need help identifying this Johnson 50 hp (Fatty?)

[vettenuts]

I bought a 1970 Starcraft boat this past Saturday with thoughts or restoration (another story ). It came with a 50 hp 90 degree 4 cylinder Johnson outboard. I was told by the previous owner it was a "69-1/2", whatever that means. I have since found it is likely a 59, but per the photos I have found the cover doesn't look correct. However, the internals do look like photos of that model year. Also, the cover doesn't fit well at all which makes me think the cover is wrong for the model year and likely from a later motor.

Also, I was told by the previous owner it had a "racing" lower unit. I have to admit the cone shape is different and it doesn't look like the few photos that I can find of a 59 Johnson, assuming that this is in fact the motor I now have.

Any insight as to the motor year and what lower unit is installed?

Motor

Lower Unit

 

[vettenuts]

Re: Need help identifying this Johnson 50 hp

Re: Need help identifying this Johnson 50 hp

After some heavy use of Google, it appears the hood is approximately a 1968 and the motor a 1959.

 

[boobie]

Re: Need help identifying this Johnson 50 hp (Fatty?)

I may be wrong but I don't think the G/C is from 1959. 1960 and up ?

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Need help identifying this Johnson 50 hp (Fatty?)

It looks just like my 1962 Johnson 75HP with electric shift gearcase. The cover appears to match the rest of the cowl and exhaust housing. The prop looks like it is from a later 60's model manual shift gearcase. Look on the aft, top area of the powerhead for a quarter-sized aluminum disk which should have the model number and serial number stamped into it. Report back and someone can research the model for you. Cross your fingers that the electric shift is okay. Good luck!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Need help identifying this Johnson 50 hp (Fatty?)

The hood, transom bracket, front handle and gearcase are not from a Fat-Fifty. Fatties were only made in 1958 and 1959, BTW. The smallest V4 motor after 1959 was a 60HP.

You might show us a picture of the carb and block.
How do you know it is 50HP? Maybe it is a 60s 60HP, or some other HP model?

 

[vettenuts]

Re: Need help identifying this Johnson 50 hp (Fatty?)

OK, I think the previous owner provided additional false information. It was advertised as a 50, but when I pulled the winter cover I found the plate below that I believe identifies the motor as a 1965 75hp. Hood is wrong I believe and am still not sure on the gear case. At least there wasn't water in the gear case. I also took photos of the power head as it appears the same as the 1959 50 that I originally thought it was.

 

[lindy46]

Re: Need help identifying this Johnson 50 hp (Fatty?)

Yup, 1965 75hp.

 

[vettenuts]

Re: Need help identifying this Johnson 50 hp (Fatty?)

Must have been re-painted as the brochure shows the lower sections as green. Is that a Starcraft Bahama Lindy46?

 

[lindy46]

Re: Need help identifying this Johnson 50 hp (Fatty?)

Your motor is the correct color for a 1965 model. My boat is a 1961 14' Starcraft Arrow.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Need help identifying this Johnson 50 hp (Fatty?)

I don't see a shift lever on the side of the motor so that makes it a 75hp electric shift outboard. It uses electromagnets and "wrap springs" for shifting and the control box contains an electrical switch attached to the throttle lever or push-buttons to select forward or reverse.

It was made from 1962 to 1966 in that color, called French Silver.

The model number plate does say it is a 1965.

 

[lindy46]

Re: Need help identifying this Johnson 50 hp (Fatty?)

Must have been re-painted as the brochure shows the lower sections as green.

I believe Johnson lower units went back to green in 1967.

 

[F_R]

Re: Need help identifying this Johnson 50 hp (Fatty?)

"Racing lower unit"??? Well I guess it is if you get in a race. Otherwise it is just a plain ol' Electramatic shift.

 

[vettenuts]

Re: Need help identifying this Johnson 50 hp (Fatty?)

"Racing lower unit"??? Well I guess it is if you get in a race. Otherwise it is just a plain ol' Electramatic shift.

I with I had a nickel for every BS statement the seller made, the boat would have been free!!!!