Re: 1963 Johnson 18HP Model FD 17-M Serial @ 23308??32
Wish to change from long shaft to short shaft and believe I need following parts: shaft #308615: shift shaft #303098; water tube #303917. anybody know where to get them and has anybody tackled this coversion to short shaft?
Are you serious? We swapped those things back and forth from long to short and back again nearly every time they got traded in or resold.
If it is a factory long shaft, there are a couple of shortcuts to make life easier. First, it is simple to just cut 5" off the water tube and reuse it. Secondly, you can measure down exactly 5" from the groove in the shift rod and use a chainsaw file to cut a new groove. It doesn't have to go clear around the rod, just one side for the connector bolt to go through. AFTER you file the groove, take a hacksaw and cut 5" off the rod. A whole lot easier than taking the gearcase apart and replacing the rod--and cheaper too. You can do the whole job in less than an hour. Now all you need is a short drive shaft and the bolt at the rear of the gearcase. They are wherever you find them.
