Motor swap

mdcwells

mdcwells

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 1, 2008
Messages
31
I am going to put a 1984 Johnson 50 hp on boat in place of a 1987 Johnson 48 spl that has low compression on top cylinder. Will the electrical stuff plug in the same way? It looks like I'm going to have to wire battery ground, 12 v to starter and a plug. I noticed that OMC changed a lot of the ignition stuff in 1985. Is this a tricky swap? It does not look to bad.
 
rickdb1boat

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: Motor swap

Yes, it will match up. Big red plug, battery negative to engine block and battery positive to starter.
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Motor swap

Positive cable goes to the solenoid, not to starter.

startersolenoid001.jpg
 
mdcwells

mdcwells

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 1, 2008
Messages
31
Re: Motor swap

Thanks, you guys seem to keep me on the water. It looks like the tilt and trim I have should bolt right on the 50hp as well. The 50 has a pretty nasty skeg and lower unit. Looking at part numbers it wold seem I could throw the lower unit off the 48hp on the 50hp. Would you agree?
 
mdcwells

mdcwells

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 1, 2008
Messages
31
Re: Motor swap

Thanks for the link and the diagram TD. They do seem to look nearly identical but they have different part numbers. There is only one way to find out. As they say here in central Iowa hold my beer and watch this!
 
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