1976 85HP Johnson lower unit compatability

[DrJRiddle]

I already knew there is no such thing as a free boat, but I have a 1976 Crestliner with an 85 Horse Johnson Javelin that I have $180 into so far and have had two good afternoons on the lake. However, it was leaking oil from the gear case (two o-rings dried up after sitting for a few years) and I seized up a bearing in the lower unit. Otherwise this thing is in really good shape, it was well taken care of.

I'm looking at replacing the lower unit with a used one and then slowly figuring out how to rebuild this one as a back-up. There are a number of used lower units out there in the $300 range. Any idea what years would be able to swap out with mine? I haven't found a 1976 yet.

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1976 85HP Johnson lower unit compatability

Any 20" V4 gearcase from an 85HP, 115HP or 135HP, 1973 through 1977.

You can recognize them by the fact that they have a skeg that has the rear line perpendicular to the propeller shaft. They also have a waterpump housing with two openings for two watertubes, and a barrel swivel at the top of the driveshaft.