1977 85hp with newer control

[JMillien]

Hi guys, I'm new here. My name is Jon and I've recently acquired a 1977 Johnson 85hp. I had an 84 90hp but it spun a crank bearing and tore alot of stuff up. I'm wondering if I can leave my current controller and type 479 cables on the boat and somehow convert the pre-79 motor type 400 on over to the type 479? On top of not wanting to reinstall another controller, the one that came with the older motor doesn't have the trim switch by your thumb, you'd have to install a toggle somewhere and I'm not very fond of this. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks alot , Jon

 

[gm280]

That IS a really good question. Looking at the two type cables there are differences that you would have to work with. The actual cable is probably pretty much the same. It is merely the ends that would have to be changed. I have taken the ends off the 400 type cables and it really wasn't that difficult. So maybe you can swap ends to work for your setup as well. But I would make sure you can do that first before buying new cables. See if you can remove your cable ends on the old ones and go from there. You would have to change the ends on the engine side only and not both ends at the controls. JMHO! :noidea:

 

[JMillien]

Thanks for the rely GM. I'm pretty much thinking the same thing you are I'm just working a turnaround right now and haven't been able to play with it at all. I'm mainly fishing for info before I get started with it. Thanks a bunch

 

[racerone]

Will the ends not fit on the motor ??---Can you drill a wee hole and use a cotter pin to hold the cable ends in place ?

 

[JMillien]

Good idea racerone, I'll try to get a good look at it this evening when I get in