1972 Evinrude 85 Hp outboard....

[Saskatoon2005]

Hello All,

First things first, I would like to find out if it is possible to change out the lower unit for one that does not have the pushbutton electric shift, and have it work?

Secondly, I would like to know if it is possible to upgrade the stator of this same motor to increase charging power of this motor. Right now I think it has 9 amp stator. I was wondering if there was a larger stator that could be swapped into this unit to get more "juice" for the batteries and stereo...wink...wink...LOL!

Patrick

 

[F_R]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 85 Hp outboard....

1: All things are possible. Practical? Heck no.
2: Yes, a 15 amp alternator kit is available. Part number 580909. Only about 400 bucks.

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 85 Hp outboard....

Why would it not be practical to change lower units? I have heard that there is not alot of good things said about the electric shift. Just thought that it would be better to get rid of a problem before I get stranded...LOL!

Where do you buy this alternator kit for the outboard?

Thank-you
Patrick

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 85 Hp outboard....

Its not just a matter of changing the lower unit. Your midsection is not arranged for a shift rod and there is no assembly on the starboard side of the powerhead for the shifting mechanism. About the only way to do this swap would be to put your powerhead on a later model motor with all of those things. I am not sure which years would accept your powerhead but I would take a guess that there is a limited number of years that would.

BTW, if the electric shift fails, you will not get stuck because the lower unit defaults to forward gear. There are two solenoids in the LU - energizing one puts the LU in neutral and energizing both puts it in reverse. Even if the electrical circuitry somehow faulted to a constant "on condition" of one or both of the solenoids, you could disconnect the blade connectors at the rear of the powerhead.

 

[Lakester]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 85 Hp outboard....

Hello All,

First things first, I would like to find out if it is possible to change out the lower unit for one that does not have the pushbutton electric shift, and have it work? Patrick

hello saskat,

r u inquiring, or did ur solenoid(s) go out? wondering...

lakester

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 85 Hp outboard....

I am inquiring, I am going to buy this guys boat at the end of the month, but I don't want to buy something, that even though is working right now, that might go out soon...or anytime. I wish I could just buy another motor, but the money I have allocated for the boat, is to fix up the boat, not buy another motor...LOL!

Just checking out my options. Can you easily buy and replace the solenoids in the lower unit?


Thank-you,

Patrick

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 85 Hp outboard....

I have never had to replace the solenoids in my 1972 Johnson 65hp but I am told that they can be found. From what I gather, the bigger problem is the wiring "harness" that runs from the engine cowling area down through the midsection to the lower unit. I don't believe that it is available through OMC/Bombardier so if it fails, you will have to make one.

Sometimes these wiring harnesses become brittle and sometimes they don't. I bought my motor for a low price and gambled on a few things because the motor was in well above average shape mechanically. When I had the water pump replaced, the wiring was examined and found to be in very good shape too. I have run the motor, which has the same LU and shift system as yours, extensively over the last year and am very pleased with it. My view of the motor is that, even though I have a couple of thousand dollars (purchase price, cost to pick it up & repairs/maintenance) in the motor, if I get five years of use, I will be very happy.

BTW, one thing to look for on these motors is a leaking seal in the lower, port cowl, where the shift wiring enters the cowl. This is a common problem and it allows exhaust gases to enter the cowl and carburetors. The fix for this is easy - just remove the lower cowl ring and seal the wiring with high temp silicon, where it passes through the cowl pan.

 

[Lakester]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 85 Hp outboard....

I have never had to replace the solenoids in my 1972 Johnson 65hp but I am told that they can be found. .

hello,

no doubt! i was looking for a parts engine. ran a wanted ad on CL. 2 hrs later had an offer... same yr, next hp up and all lower items identical. how do i know... ?

because i followed the iboats expert's advice and got me an OE parts manual, too.

showed what items same and dif for each hp level in my series.

and made me an expert in that dept, too.

[blush]

regards
lakster

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 85 Hp outboard....

Aside from all the reasons that Jay mentioned. I also think the crankshaft only accepts a square drive shaft, not a splined one.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 85 Hp outboard....

There is nothing wrong with the hydro-electric shift. Can they have troubles? Of course. So can anything else. The solenoids "problem" is blown way out of proportion. They very rarely go bad. The biggest problems with hydro-electric are neglect (failure to change the gear lube and/or fix leaks) and failure of the push-button switch--very common and new switches are hard to find and expensive.

 

[patrick4266]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 85 Hp outboard....

I have a 1970 85 hp rude and I took the advice and looked for a parts motor. I seen a boat on craigs list, here in st louis, for 600 bucks with a 1972 85 hp rude , offered the guy 300, as the engine did not run, took it home replaced the amplifier and rebuilt the carbs now it runs better than the 1970. Yesterday I sold the trailor for 100 bucks and a old 6 hp rude that runs like a top. So now i have a spare motor and controls, gas tank, battery ect, a 6 hp rude and a hundred bucks thanks to you guys.

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 85 Hp outboard....

Hey guys,

Just wanted to tell you that the information you provided is just awesome. I was so hoping that people would not write this engine off.

Another question....

If the push button selector goes bad, can that damage the solenoids on the lower unit? Also, if the solenoids go bad in the lower unit...can that damage the push button selector control?

Patrick

 

[patrick4266]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 85 Hp outboard....

These guys would know more about the selonoids and buttons ect but I watch ebay and the parts for them are easy to find. I just paid 5 dollars thats right 5 dollars for a set of carbs for mine from ebay 8 dollars shipping so a total of 13 dollars. I do not even need them but I just bought them because no one else bid on them. I see the whole lower units for the slectric models go for a hundrend are so. I paid 35 for a amplifier, another part I do not need but am saving it for future use. I am planning on keeping my 85 hp motors for a long time.

 

[wavrider]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 85 Hp outboard....

/\/\/\/\/\/\ What Patrick said, keep em for a long time
Darn Pat you got an amp that cheap?
I just ordered 2 new ones
one for the 73 85hp and one for the 76 115hp

Old man down the road has what looks like a 19 foot cobia and 81 115johnson, been sitting there for years, stopped in to day as he was sitting in the yard enjoying the nice FL weather.

Told me he bought it new, moved out here 14 years ago and never used it.
Pulled the cowling off and turned the flywheel over, not frozen, steering turned, galvanized trailer. floor rotted. told me if i could pull the trailer out of the hole it was sitting in for a $100.00 I could have it. told him I would be down with my old ford tractor this weekend to get it.

 

[patrick4266]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 85 Hp outboard....

Wow wayrider, Sounds like your getting a better deal than i got. I would love to give a 100 for a 115 johnson.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 85 Hp outboard....

Hey guys,

Another question....

If the push button selector goes bad, can that damage the solenoids on the lower unit? Also, if the solenoids go bad in the lower unit...can that damage the push button selector control?

Patrick

No and No. However, a dead short circuit somewhere in the wires could burn up the push button switch if the fuse doesn't blow to protect it.

 

[Solittle]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 85 Hp outboard....

I'm diggin back over 30 years in my questionably unreliable memory - Seems I had a 75 hp rude back in the 70s that the selector buttons crapped out. I think I remember buying a 3 position toggle switch at Radio Shack that worked just fine. I also remember having wiring problems to the extent that I could drop the lower unit blindfolded.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 85 Hp outboard....

My hydro-electric LU has been completely reliable. I put about eight hours on it today on a SAR mission, and will be back out doing the same thing in the morning. I also used my 1969 Johnson 6hp kicker to get into some places that the Coast Guard RIBS and marine patrol boats couldn't enter because of shallow depth. Not bad for a 36 year old motor and a 39 year old motor!

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 85 Hp outboard....

I do like the old outboards.....I did have an older 40 Hp, but it had mechanical shift, so I didn't worry about anything electrical breaking down.

Patrick

 

[wavrider]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 85 Hp outboard....

Jay.

Good on you for the SAR mission, I remeber the days of those exercises.
Can't beat the old motors.

Son almost completed his jw-10 project, running beautiful. Not bad for a 56 year old engine.

We installed the head gasket and impellar. Put it in the trash can I pulled it twice, son told me to choke it ( I forgot about choke) It fired right up and put choke off, idled smooth and and pumped water great.
Son looked at me with his dirty hands and grease on his shirt, big smile came to his face and said " That is a Johnson!". Not bad for 14 years old, allready a Jonnyrude man.