Year/Model help for an old Johnson 5.5 HP

[rdetzel]

Came with the house, it's on a 16' aluminum boat and I was able to get it running this weekend no problem but looking to sell it (no room) so I'm trying to get more information on it. I could be imagining but I thought the side said suzuki on it which seemed odd.

Thanks.

 

[F_R]

Well it sure isn't a Johnson. I don't know much about Suzukis, but I suppose that might be true.

EDIT: Why would anybody remove the I.Ds and change the appearance? Probably stolen property.

 

[ThomW]

Is there a model number or serial number anywhere on the motor?

 

[rdetzel]

Is there a model number or serial number anywhere on the motor?

Not sure, I'll have to look on Wed. It's odd because of the bill of sale says 20hp Suzukis but when we got there it was a 5.5 Johnson (or so we thought). Is this actually 20hp? Is that the right cover just the wrong tag/sticker?

 

[rdetzel]

Well it sure isn't a Johnson. I don't know much about Suzukis, but I suppose that might be true.

EDIT: Why would anybody remove the I.Ds and change the appearance? Probably stolen property.

I doubt it's stolen, they have the original slip for the 1955 boat it's on and these people seem pretty legit. I am confused by that badge though and that explains why I can't find any information about it online.

 

[flyingscott]

If it is a suzuki it will have a DT # that will be the model and hp. My guess would be they used the motor on a HP restricted lake. That's the reason for 5.5 emblems

 

[racerone]

Any pictures of the powerhead ?

 

[jbcurt00]

I wonder if there was a hp restriction on the lake they frequented? And simply rebadged it to get under the max motor size?

 

[F_R]

I wonder if there was a hp restriction on the lake they frequented? And simply rebadged it to get under the max motor size?

The DNR officer would have to be downright stupid to fall for that one.

 

[F_R]

I doubt it's stolen, they have the original slip for the 1955 boat it's on and these people seem pretty legit. I am confused by that badge though and that explains why I can't find any information about it online.

That is not a 1955 motor, No way, no how. Not with that fiberglass hood and that styling.

 

[racerone]

How truthful is a " bill of sale " dated from 1955 in today's world ?---The 5.5 emblems are from 1959 / 60 era too.

 

[jbcurt00]

The DNR officer would have to be downright stupid to fall for that one.

You would think, but there are plenty of rebadged oversized motors running on smaller hp lakes.

And plenty of members, new and long term, post here asking for help to pump up the power on low hp motors or about rebadging.

I'd bet some of the

does a 12, 15, 18 or 20hp carb fit my 9.5, 9.9, 12 or 15hp motor

topics and questions are doing it for similar reasons. Not all, but some....

No matter, if its listed as a 20hp Suzi on the boat title, looks like it might BE a 20hp Suzi hanging on the boat AND it has a Johnson 5.5hp badge instead if Suzi badges, its a possible reason for having done it...

Right, wrong or likely to get away w it...... I'll let the new owner decide.....

 

[F_R]

No Title

For your consideration

 

[jbcurt00]

So a rebadged 9.9?

 

[F_R]

I was going more by the shape. I found another picture if a 15 or 20 (I forget which), which was about the same shape only larger.

 

[rdetzel]

That picture looks just like it, just a little different color but they probably painted it. It's a 18-25 hp, the seller forgets which but knows the badge is wrong. I'm going out tomorrow, I'll snap some more pictures and try to find a model or serial number. This is great news, I'm assuming a 20 hp is worse more than a 5.5.

 

[rdetzel]

Mystery solved. I spoke with the guy at the marina who has serviced this boat for years and he said it's a Suzuki DT20 and it was rebadge because kids drove it and it was overpowered so they badged it to 5.5 which is kid legal. Thanks.

 

[F_R]

Hoo-boy. That could bring up a whole 'nother subject.