What year is this Johnson?

Scherfz1

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IMG_6999.jpeg

i am having trouble identifying this Johnson 50 hp 2 stoke that i have, any info would be greatly appreciated
 

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racerone

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You are in the 74 / 75 model year with that motor.------Solely based on the cowling and the green paint.
 

Scherfz1

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You are in the 74 / 75 model year with that motor.------Solely based on the cowling and the green paint.

awesome, thats getting things going, now is there any point of sinking money into this motor? it is currently running ok'ish.
 

Scherfz1

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Next question, are these hard to rebuild and tune in? And while we are taking about turning a wrench on it, any way to squeeze out some more RELIABLE hrs-pers?
 

kbait

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Here’s correct cowl for your motor (same model #) found on google.
 

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Scherfz1

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so no loop deal lol oh well, now were can i find a powerhead rebuild kit lol
 

jimmbo

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Well it doesn't have the original cowl, or it has been redecaled, but it is a pre 73 engine as it has an Hydro-Electric Shift. And the Model # checks out a 72. Only other yr for that engine was 71
 

Scherfz1

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Well it doesn't have the original cowl, or it has been redecaled, but it is a pre 73 engine as it has an Hydro-Electric Shift. And the Model # checks out a 72. Only other yr for that engine was 71

And because it was only made for two years I cannot find a rebuild kit to save my life
 

racerone

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No it was built for many more years.-------But it was only marketed with electric shift in 71 and 72 model years.--------There are newer powerheads that will bolts right on too.
 

matt167

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If your compression is good there's no reason to swap the powerhead. I think your a carb swap away from 60hp. And of course you can port a 2 stroke, shave the head for a little more compression and boysen also shows reeds for that motor
 

racerone

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Post some pictures of the control box and or the throttle linkages on the motor.----Do the usual trouble shooting on this motor.-----If it is the electric shift lower unit I know that it is better built than the less than robust lower units of newer models
 

jimmbo

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No it was built for many more years.-------But it was only marketed with electric shift in 71 and 72 model years.--------There are newer powerheads that will bolts right on too.

I know the 50 was made until 75, but wasn't block changed to at the front to accommodate the shift linkage in 73? In 76 it was increased to 44 cu in, and became a 55, then in 1980 a 60. Since then the displacement has been used on various engines
 

jimmbo

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Post some pictures of the control box and or the throttle linkages on the motor.----Do the usual trouble shooting on this motor.-----If it is the electric shift lower unit I know that it is better built than the less than robust lower units of newer models

Control box is visible in the Initial post.
 

Scherfz1

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If your compression is good there's no reason to swap the powerhead. I think your a carb swap away from 60hp. And of course you can port a 2 stroke, shave the head for a little more compression and boysen also shows reeds for that motor

alrigh, i think compression is good, it has one heck of a time to get going, but once warm she is golden (only took out once due to the boat needing an overhaul)

what carbs can i get to do what you described along with reeds, i cannot find crap for this. even a piston rebuild kit. i emphasize on that cause that is what will need at some point and there is no point in sinking money into a motor i cannot rebuild IMHO
 

Scherfz1

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Post some pictures of the control box and or the throttle linkages on the motor.----Do the usual trouble shooting on this motor.-----If it is the electric shift lower unit I know that it is better built than the less than robust lower units of newer models

ill get a better photo when i get home this evening.
 

racerone

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Yes I see the control box !!-----Can not make out 100% sure if it is Hydro -electric ----Powershift II ----or later control box.
 

Scherfz1

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Yes I see the control box !!-----Can not make out 100% sure if it is Hydro -electric ----Powershift II ----or later control box.

i don't think it is electric shift, i pulled the throttle cable out of it to remove the motor (seemed to be the easier option at the time) it might be. but i think it is mechanical

but it did only have a throttle cable... no shift cable like i would have thought and it did go into forward and reverse when lake tested. soooo maybe.
 
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