1972 50HP Electric Shift

[phipps]

I have been looking out for a larger engine for our 24ft pontoon. Today I found a 1972 50HP with electric shift. I know nothing about the electric shift models. Are they reliable or should I be running for the hills? Is there anything specific I should be watching out for?



Thanks,

Gary

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1972 50HP Electric Shift

it has to come with the control box, it is hydro-electric shift, the switch in the controller send power to solenoids, that route oil to move the shift. the parts are extremely expensive and extremely hard to find working parts. the power head is a good power head, the weakness is availabilty of parts for the lower unit. i just gave one away i could not get parts for.

it is your decision, now that you know what you are getting into.

 

[phipps]

Re: 1972 50HP Electric Shift

That's exactly the input I was looking for. Can the lower unit be switched out to a manual shift? I know where there is a 1973 50HP motor and I was thinking I could maybe make one good one out of the 2, if the 73 has a manual lower unit.

Would the parts between the 72 and 73 power units exchange?

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: 1972 50HP Electric Shift

You really can't make a change to hydro-mechanical (which is what the '73 model is), without pretty much ending up with a different motor.

I own two 1972 Johnson 65hp motors - one is on my boat and one is on a stand in my shop. The motor that is in use has been very reliable and I like it. I bought the second motor because I picked it up cheap ($150) and figured that it could either be a backup motor or a parts queen.

I guess my point with this info, is that the hydro-electric motors can sometimes be very good motors and somethimes not. It really depends on the condition of some key components. If the motor is in good shape, and you acquire a parts motor or individual parts to "warehouse," you might just have an inexpensive solution to your repowering desires.

BTW, the powerhead from the '72 will probably fit the '73. The "exhaust housing adapter" and the "adapter to powerhead gasket" part numbers are the same for both motors. That being the case, if the '73 that you can buy has a bad power head, but the rest is OK, you should be able to put the '72 powerhead on the '73 engine. Doing so is relatively simple and could be done by an experienced person in a couple of hours.