Johnson 15 hp - no data plate

I have a friend that asked me to rebuild his carb on his manual start 15 hp Johnson which looks like it is mid 70's to mid 80's vintage. Data plate is missing on the mounting bracket. Freeze plug on the block has RB208933 which is the s/n I think.

Is there any lookup out there by serial number to give me the year and model number of this engine.

I would like to order the correct carb rebuild kit.

Thanks in advance for youall's help.

Tom in Steinhatchee

Re: Johnson 15 hp - no data plate

1974-1988 carbs are identical so you will probably fall into that category.
You can buy the carb kit from iboats for under $15.00.
The carb should have a part # on it. Call a boat repair shop and they can run the # for you and tell you what kit you need.

Re: Johnson 15 hp - no data plate

Couple questions:

1- What color is it? White or green?

2 Where is the stop button located, on the cowling or on the tiller handle?

3 - What ignition type, points/mageto or Magflash(CDI)?

Knowing this will help put a year on this engine.

Re: Johnson 15 hp - no data plate

Thanks for the help.
1. The color is white but it was repainted at some time in its past. however cowling is white and appears to have original decals on it. During repaint is when the model plate was removed, I suspect.
2. the stop button is on the tiller along with a dead man switch.
3. Not sure but it looks like newer CDI type with coils p/n 582508 17IN-OA. The plug wires originate at the external coils. What year did they introduce the CDI ignitions?

My preliminary research indicates the carb kit is the same for 1974 thru 80's models omc 398453, sierra 18-7223.

Thanks again for the help.
Tom in Steinhatchee

Re: Johnson 15 hp - no data plate

Read this:

http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/Ramblings.html

1 OB Tips On Buying a Used Outboard Motor
2 OB Picking a Marine Mechanic
3 OB Frequently Asked Outboard Motor Questions
4 OB Gasoline & Outboard Oils
5 OB Store a Boat With a Empty or Full Fuel Tank ??
6 OB Outboard Motor Transom height / shaft Length
7 OB Basics on Starting an Motor That is Resisting
8 OB Neptune Mighty Might 1.7 hp 1956 Outboard Restoration Project
9 OB Elgin 2.5 hp 1947 Outboard Restoration Project
10 OB Mercury 4.5 hp 1975 - 1985, Getting it Running Again
11 OB Johnson / Evinrude Year/Model Code Identification
12 OB Johnson 10 hp QD Series Motors 1949 - 1963
13 OB Johnson / Evinrude 6 hp 1969 - 1979
14 OB Johnson / Evinrude 8 hp 1992 version
15 OB Johnson / Evinrude 9.5 hp Normal Repairs 1964 - 1973
16 OB Johnson / Evinrude 9.9 /15 hp 1974 - 1976 Magneto Ignition
17 OB Johnson/Evinrude 9.9 / 15 hp General Info & Normal Repairs 1974 - 1992
18 OB Johnson/Evinrude 9.9 / 15 hp Powerhead / Midsection Repairs
19 OB Johnson/Evinrude 9.9 / 15 hp Carburetor / Fuel Pump Repairs
20 OB Johnson/Evinrude 9.9 / 15 hp Lower Unit / Water Pump 1974 - 2005
21 OB Johnson/Evinrude 9.9 / 15 hp Water Circulation Problems
22 OB Johnson/Evinrude 9.9 / 15 hp Troubleshooting
23 OB Johnson/Evinrude 9.9 / 15 hp Converting Shaft Lengths 1974 - 2005
24 OB Johnson/Evinrude 9.9 / 15 hp Converting to Electric Start 1974 - 1992
25 OB Johnson/Evinrude 9.9 / 15 hp Normal Repairs 1993 - 2005
26 OB Johnson/Evinrude 9.9 / 15 hp Converting to Electric Start 1993 - 2005
27 OB e-Bay Motor Rebuild & Why it Blew a Piston After a Rebuild
28 OB Rebuilding the OMC pre 1987 Fuel Pump
29 OB Rebuilding the OMC post 1990 Fuel Pump
30 OB Converting the Old Dual Fuel Line pre 1959 to the New Single Line
31 OB Converting a 70 hp Console Control Motor to Tiller Control
32 OB Outboard Motor Trim / Tilt Motor Replacement
33 OB Most Boats & Motors are Ruined by Negligence
34 OB Submerged Motor Recovery
35 OB Outboard Jet Maintenance
36 OB Winterizing an Boat & Motor

Re: Johnson 15 hp - no data plate

White motor AND the CDI ignition indicate a 77 or newer. The stop button on the tiller indicates an 86 or newer.

The cowlings for Johnsons of this year range wer always white. The outboard itself was painted green from sometime in the 60's until 1976. In 77 is when the entire thing was painted white.

CDI ignition came out in 77 as well.

Now some more questions. Where is the stop switch located? If it's on the end of the handle, that puts the year between 87-90. If the button is off to the side of the handle, then it a 91 or newer.

Unless you have the odd 86. That one has a stop switch on the end of the handle, but did not have a dead man switch integrated with it, it was just a simple stop switch. It was also black in color, instead of red like the 87 and newer models. I have one of the 86 models that has the stop switch.

Lots of great info on the Johnson/Evinrude 9.9/15 HP series in this link:
http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/Johnson 9.9_15.htm

Re: Johnson 15 hp - no data plate

The stop switch is at the end of the handle so I guess it is 87 to 90 vintage. The dead man switch is integrated into the stop switch from what I can tell. Push in to stop. The dead man clip holds the outer portion out but the inner portion can still be pushed in.

I have not tried to run the engine yet so I am kind of guessing based on looking at it. Will get into it in a day or two.

Thanks for the inputs
Tom in Steinhatchee

Re: Johnson 15 hp - no data plate

Yep, definitly sounds like an 87-90 year model. That's good becuase yours can use a safety lanyard (mine can't). You also have the best cylinder head as well. Your thermostat is at the top of the cylinder head, which makes is easy to inspect or replace. 86 an older had it at the bottom of the head, right in front of the cowling latch. Makes it very hard to replace.