Re: 1983? Johnson 35HP lacking power/torque :
Heres a photo of the one ive just done, its for a smaller motor than your one but the principles are the same, ive seen them on motors up to 90hp and theres nothing i can think of that would stop them going on higher rating motors than that too.
Be sure you get large washers to go on the Stainless steel bolts to hold it onto the transom. Also press the ply together with weights as you seal it with resin to get the air bubbles out. This one of mine still needs the bottom edge there sawn straight for looks not function and also the holes drilled so it can be bolted to the transom.
Some people fill those holes with epoxy resin as they install the bolts so water cant seep in through the washers or somewhere else
You can use a few materials for a jackplate, i find marine ply and epoxy resin good as you can custom make the width and its easy to saw etc, i had all those materials here on hand so thats what i used but with the Swedish winter im guessing you will have some time to plan it and really make it suitable to your boat for performance and make it look good.
I will be interested to see a photo of one on a Johnson 35hp if you end up doing one.