1988 Johnson 14 SPL

[Russ Tice]

I bought a used boat with a "1988 Johnson 14 SPL" engine several years ago and was told that the engine was a special put out by Johnson late in 1988. The story that I was told indicated that the top unit was the regular Johnson 14HP engine, but the middle and lower units were from a Johnson 20 HP engine. Supposedly towards the end of the modell year, Johnson had an excess of the 14 HP top units and a deficiency of the lower units, so they "hybridized" this "special." The plate indicates a model VJ14RCCS and a serial number of H784432, Hong Kong.

I'd like to know how to determine, if and when I have to try to replace some parts in the middle and lower units, just which ones I have. Does anyone know whether the above story is at all accurate and what the "SPL" indicates ?

Even though I'm an "old retired guy now", I'm pretty inexperienced with boat engines.

Thanks

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: 1988 Johnson 14 SPL

I don't think you'll have problems looking up parts for your 14HP.I have only seen one of these,and the lower unit is a two piece split along the prop shaft line,like a 25 HP.

Keep in mind the age,as even the 10/15hp parts as well as the 25hp parts will get sparse.

From "another older guy,still working"


Just look up parts by your model number.

DHP

 

[fireman57]

Re: 1988 Johnson 14 SPL

Don't know about the excess of parts but I believe the SPL is for Special. I have heard a story about the spl's being put together with leftover parts but don't know for sure. You should just be able to order parts with your model number and tell them it is an spl.

 

[fireman57]

Re: 1988 Johnson 14 SPL

I don't type as fast as DHP