Johnson gas can/steering controls for Merc O/B???

Apologies if this is an incredibly basic question. Although I've been a boater all my life, I'm just now getting into the mechanical side of things, as I've just about completed restoration of a 1945 14' Lyman.

Previous motor (J/E) is gone, but I have the steering controls for it. Just came across a free 25hp Merc, with only 50 hours on it ('87 or '88 MY, from a tender)... as I have no cash to spend on a new motor, I'm taking the freebie. In any case, I need to figure out what needs to be done to connect the J/E controls to the Merc motor. Also need to figure out the gas can situation. All of the gas cans we currently have are for other J/E motors. Does it make sense to retrofit the can for the motor, or do I need to buy a new can?

I appreciate any info anybody can share!

Re: Johnson gas can/steering controls for Merc O/B???

i am in the same situation. so i bought a merc gas fitting and hose clamped it on the tank (cut off the j/e fitting). cheap fix.

Re: Johnson gas can/steering controls for Merc O/B???

I just went through the same problem. Boat came with johnson/evinrude controls but I just bought a larger 85hp Merc. it came with controls but the throttle cable didn't engage to WOT. If you have the ends for the merc, you can spin the threads out of the ends of the cable and simply switch them over. (theres a screw on either side of the slide tube, simply undo it and it comes off the cable) also, if you use the johnson/evinrude controls, the throttle becomes reversed. (forward to throttle down, back to throttle up)

Re: Johnson gas can/steering controls for Merc O/B???

Steering will swap w/o issue. Fuel line needs a new female Merc fitting. Controls may (just may) work if you have original J/E two handle controls. I have never heard if it being done, but I have had both motors and controls, and it might be possible.

Electrics are all different, but might be adaptable, if you have any electrics on the merc, it depends on the Johnny.

Re: Johnson gas can/steering controls for Merc O/B???

My boat has the 2 handle J/E controls so it was just a matter of switching the ends of the cables...Merc came with its own fuel lines and 3 tanks so no issues there either. Had to rewire the motor as the Mercplug was dead, which was fine. My boat has the solenoid mounted in the back of the boat in a seperate box, not sure why but I only had to run positive and negative the the motor, as well as a positive lead for my powerpack or whatever it is....(without this connected I got no spark). everythings all set to go, Just posting my experiences for anyone else who may wish to do the same.

Re: Johnson gas can/steering controls for Merc O/B???

Thanks to all, for your suggestions. Topol 86... you mention that if I have the ends for the Merc controls, I can spin the J/E ends out, and replace. Any suggestions as to where to get the Merc ends?

Re: Johnson gas can/steering controls for Merc O/B???

I'm not entirely sure where you would get Merc ends, my motor came with merc controls, but the cables were very stiff and my throttle cable barely opened to half throttle, which is the reason I decided to try switching to J/E controls. Maybe off a "dead" motor if you can find one. I'm sure you could also check out the price on just the new merc ends, but don't tell the dealer you want to put them onto J/E controls, they'll likely try talking you into a whole new control set. If I find anything else i'll post back