1974 Johnson 4 hp hood/cover interchange?

[reelfishin]

I have a good running 4 hp motor that came with one of my boats as a spare but it's missing it's cover. Might anyone know what years will interchange covers?
The motor is a 1974. I know they changed in the later years but how far back can I go to find a cover? It's hard to tell by the parts list since every year shows a different cover due to decal changes.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 1974 Johnson 4 hp hood/cover interchange?

Perhaps you could identify the year by part number.
If you follow the numbers you may be able to identify numbering related to decals and numbers related to model change.
I can tell you the 4 appeared in 69. Model 4R69, Model numbering system changed in 1980 79 was 4R79 80 4RLCS. Whether that is just a numbering change or a model change I don't know.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: 1974 Johnson 4 hp hood/cover interchange?

Mine is a 4R74, they did change quite a bit in later years, they added a built in fuel tank to the cover and a much narrower pan.
I've had the motor for about a year now and have yet to find a cover to fit it. I was told that the old one got lost while trailering the boat so I have nothing to compare to. I've been to a few local places that keep a lot of old parts but nothing so far. There are plenty of 4.5 through 15 hp covers to be had but nothing smaller.
The cover I need looks the same as a 5 or 6hp cover but is about an inch smaller all around.
It most likely won't be a cover from another HP motor, but I was wondering if other years would fit. It also does have to be from a Johnson as I have tried one from an Evinrude and it won't fit.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 1974 Johnson 4 hp hood/cover interchange?

You might try Twin Cities outboards Lots of used parts.
Also watch ebay,all kinds of covers appear over time.
perhaps a cheap parts motor.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: 1974 Johnson 4 hp hood/cover interchange?

I tried Twin Cities, no luck.
I've been watching eBay but since I've not been able to tell which years interchange, I can't be sure what else would fit. I don't care if the decals match the year, just so it's got a cover. I'd like to use this as a trolling motor on my boat and on a small jon boat in skinny water. I've used it a few times without the cover but I don't like having a spinning flywheel out in the open.

 

[TN-25]

Re: 1974 Johnson 4 hp hood/cover interchange?

A cover from a 1968 Johnson 3 (they restyled the 3 that year with a removeable fiberglass hood and used a separate fuel tank). For 1969 the 3 was boosted to 4 horsepower and used the same cover for many years. I think right through 1978 will fit. For 1979 they began using the built-in fuel tank (the same style they had been selling in Europe since at least 1972)

Again:
1968 3,
1969-1978 4.

 

[kbait]

Re: 1974 Johnson 4 hp hood/cover interchange?

Try tim's outboard 218-682-2331. Here's a brochure pic from 'the old omc site' that shows your motor: http://www.old-omc.de/e_1974/seite_28_29.jpg

 

[kbait]

Re: 1974 Johnson 4 hp hood/cover interchange?

If not Tim's, maybe these guys? http://www.boatfarm.com/custompage.asp?pg=parts