96 Johnson 28SPL lower unit interchange?

Hey all,

Please forgive any ignorance here; I searched around but only found info on older engines, or higher output ones. This is my first boat that isn't human-powered, so I'm learning as I go, and so far this forum has been immensely helpful.

Bought the boat from a friend. As you can see in the photo, the lower unit is pretty beat up, with weld repairs and a couple cracks the weld misses. I stored the boat indoors with the motor tilted up to clear some stacked material, and found the fill plug was leaking oil all winter in that position.



I could fire up the TIG and fix the small cracks that are there, but I'm curious what my options are for finding a replacement in better condition. There's a current local Craigslist ad for some older vintage Johnson/Evinrude 25 parts, but I have no idea if they're compatible. I got the boat for a screaming deal, so I don't mind spending a little to fix it up, but there's always an upper limit to the budget.

jmho... skeg looks ok if you were to polish up those welds on the plate, change oil fill washers (top/bottom) , fill and polish those holes with JB weld, and touch up any cracks and.....if no LU internal water ingress or damage to the LU gears a coat of paint will make it look like new !

Great, thanks for the input! I can polish and shine all day long. That's way easier than trying to replace things.

Are the oil fill washers pretty generic? My local dealer already told me they can get no parts at all, I hate the idea of paying shipping for a couple washers if they're something a good local hardware store might have a viable equivalent to. I'm dubious of online parts photos, but they *look* like a generic o-ring.

Flip side, if ordering online is my smart move, is there anything else I'd be wise to order for preventative maintenance on an unknown engine?

Need to find a better shop ~~----Oil fill washers are the same from 1950 to 2020. -----Gearcase from any of the 28 HP model will fit.----Years 1986 to 1997.

CuriousRambler said:

Great, thanks for the input! I can polish and shine all day long. That's way easier than trying to replace things.

Are the oil fill washers pretty generic? My local dealer already told me they can get no parts at all, I hate the idea of paying shipping for a couple washers if they're something a good local hardware store might have a viable equivalent to. I'm dubious of online parts photos, but they *look* like a generic o-ring.

Flip side, if ordering online is my smart move, is there anything else I'd be wise to order for preventative maintenance on an unknown engine?

Click to expand...

Plugs, gear oil, impeller, triple guard grease....maybe a fuel pump diaphragm, fuel lines, primer and paint.

Seaway marine should have everything.