Year of my Johnson outboard?

[darrenweimer]

I need to determine the year of my 90hp outboard. As the story goes from the previous owner, the cowling, midsection and lower unit are all 1996, but i cannot verify this. Apparently the serial numbers were removed during repainting?????? The power head is a cross flow 90degree and I was told is not a 1996. If it helps, the spline on the drive shaft has teeth and is not sort of octoganal like some models up to 1984. My hunch is that it is late 80's, but i don't know how to verify this. Is there any electrical components or assemblies that are particular to certain years, and can match up to the lower unit i have?<br /><br />I am tring to solve my igntion problems, but i cannot get to that till i determine the year of the parts i need.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Year of my Johnson outboard?

Dirt..... The "Model & Serial" number plate(s) are not ever removed for painting. I can only think of one reason they are removed.<br /><br />On the powerhead, you may find a core plug (looks like a small freeze out plug) that contains the model & serial number. It's usually on the top port (left) side of the engine near the cylinder head gasket.<br /><br />If that core plug isn't there with the model number, the best thing to do would be to send a group of pictures of the engine and we'll try to determine what you have. ReevesJ32@aol.com