swapping tilt assist shocks (johnson/evinrude)

[Rkrough]

My 87 60hp Johnson has never been the easiest thing to tilt up. My assist shock is getting worn and it's getting worse.

I'm wondering if I replace it with a shock for a 60 lb heavier motor( Johnson V-4 ) if I will get more assist in tilting the motor up? I assume I will have to push down on it to lower it.
Any thoughts or experience?

 

[RRitt]

Re: swapping tilt assist shocks (johnson/evinrude)

i think .... you can replace the shock with a center piston out of a 3ram power trim and plumb it to a OMC I/O stringer pump and actually end up with power tilt for pretty cheap. I know this is what J/E used for a lot of the 65HP engines. It might be same for a 60HP and just bolts right up like factory stuff. might be worth checking.

 

[Rkrough]

Re: swapping tilt assist shocks (johnson/evinrude)

I have seen what you are talking about. Great idea but it's not what I want to do at this point. I am just looking for a bit more help in tilting the motor up when it's on the trailer or the few times I beach it.

Am I correct in thinking the tilt assist is performing the same function as the lift strut on a hatch back or a tailgate?

 

[RRitt]

Re: swapping tilt assist shocks (johnson/evinrude)

it is a shock with a bubble of highly compressed air. if you remove the weight of engine the shock extends and is nearly impossible to compress. Very similar to lift on hatch but at much more weight.

 

[Rkrough]

Re: swapping tilt assist shocks (johnson/evinrude)

Thank you for the replies and advise, I just took a $65 ebay gamble to see how or if it will work. I'll post the outcome next weekend.

 

[Rkrough]

Re: swapping tilt assist shocks (johnson/evinrude)

The swap went great. The shock for the heavier V-4 motor fit perfectly and only requires(by estimate) about 20# of effort to tilt up. and requires about double-plus that effort to push back down. Now I or my wife can easily tilt up the motor from the deck.