Transom Bracket Compatability

[hvymtl939]

I have a 1972 65 hp Johnson that I'm planning on rigging on my pontoon. It runs great, and the electric shift seems to work perfectly as well. That said, it's an old enough motor that it does not have a through motor steering tube setup, and I'm running into some issues trying to get it to work with my pontoon transom.

That said, I found a blown up 1975 50 horse for dirt cheap locally. It does have the through bracket steering setup that would make rigging 1000x easier. Does anyone know if the brackets could be swapped with relative ease, or if not, what other transom brackets could work with my 65?

 

[hvymtl939]

Here's my thread in the steering subforum if you would like a bit more background.

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat...teering-without-through-motor-tube-on-pontoon

 

[racerone]

Myself I would get a tube from the dealer off a junk motor.----Then weld some brackets / angle iron to it.---Get the drag link to fit----Mount it in the well off the boat.----Done------Not everyone would do that approach.

 

[hvymtl939]

Myself I would get a tube from the dealer off a junk motor.----Then weld some brackets / angle iron to it.---Get the drag link to fit----Mount it in the well off the boat.----Done------Not everyone would do that approach.

That was honestly my first idea. I have a buddy who is a pretty competent welder.

 

[bob johnson]

ill say this in general: what seems so simple at first...............................................................................................6 months later.......still dealing with it.

 

[oldboat1]

It looks to me (i.e., LOOKS to me) like there is no room for a drag link, assuming you can get a tube installed. I think I might explore the splash well kit pictured in your other thread (#9 -- GA boater's post) -- including the direct hook up pictured.

I have a bunch of old mounting brackets in various sizes, and they come in handy when needed. I've used the direct hook up with a couple of 40hp motors, and seems to work fine. I don't know if there is a safety issue in not using the drag link, or potential for losing some turning radius -- and maybe with that splash well kit there would be enough room for a link.

There is also a bracket -- or used to be one -- that mounts under the motor clamp, and you might find one of those (and run the steering cable in from the side). As your motor bolts on without clamps, the bracket would need to be screwed in place.

 

[racerone]

And why does it look like there is no room for a drag link.----------A drag link would be used with a newer motor that has the tube would it not ?----And the motor is bolted in place so those bolts can be utilized.

 

[oldboat1]

thinking there might not be enough side-to-side clearance, but guess the drag link would be up higher anyway on second thought (and looking at one of mine).

 

[oldboat1]

Not sure if the link will work, but this is the device I was trying to describe: http://www.ezyglide.com/accessories#!__accessories/engine-connection (Not sure if it's still available, but is intended for mounting under the transom clamps.)

 

[racerone]

The 1972 model 65 hp does not have transom clamps.-----------But that is the idea to install the steering.

 

[jimmbo]

There were several changes to the 65 transom bracket between 1972 to 1973. The first of course is the discontinuation of the drop-in transom bracket/clamps, the second is the inclusion of the tilt-tube steering. There was also a change in the position of the tilt hinge point, on the 1972 it is directly above the transom, in 73 it was moved forward of the transom several inches. Because of that it is not possible to easily jury-rig a 1972 65 onto a 1973 65 swivel/transom bracket. The 50 hp used totally different brackets than the 65.
You need to find a method of solidly anchoring the cable off to the side of the engine. It has to be inflexible as you want only movement of the motor as the wheel is moved

 

[dazk14]

With all this talk...Have you actually put the darn motor temporarily on the transom to see exactly what you/we/All are looking at?

Get some help, a couple c-clamps, a few scraps of wood under the skeg and have at it!

What is the exact depth of transom. It may be that using a cupped 4 blade prop will allow you to raise the motor height a bit to make one of the above great suggestions work.