How to date Johnson 50hp without I.D. plate?

[Joe L. Bachs]

I have a Johnson 50hp outboard that the previous owner had painted black. I can't find the I.D. plate, don't know if it was painted over, removed or maybe I'm just looking in the wrong place. The part number for the power head puts it 1989-92. Is there any way to tell for sure what year it is? I'd like order a shop manual for it, so I can get it sea worthy again.

 

[racerone]

Post a bunch of pictures of this motor.

 

[JimS123]

The plate is on the side of the transom bracket. Its about 2"x 3" (or thereabouts) and should be attached with 2 rivets. Painted or not its quite visible. If y see 2 holes and no plate it was probably removed, thus its likely the motor was stolen at some point. If you find it, carefully remove the paint and you'll get a model and serial number.

 

[Newyota]

Do these motors have the stamped disk on the power head like on the smaller outboards?

 

[racerone]

Most motors ( even the big V-6 motors ) left the factory with that disc !------Some years model and serial #.----Some years just serial #.----Replacement blocks / powerheads rarely had the original disc retrofitted.

 

[Newyota]

Most motors ( even the big V-6 motors ) left the factory with that disc !------Some years model and serial #.----Some years just serial #.----Replacement blocks / powerheads rarely had the original disc retrofitted.

thanks for for this info..Shouldn't he look for this?

 

[racerone]

You know how it goes here !----We wait and try to get folks to post accurate and adequate information.-----Sometimes that never happens.

 

[oldboat1]

You may have a printed ID plate (decal), which makes recovery of the info. more difficult. Anything caustic will wipe the data. Post pics as was suggested (hood on and off, various angles incl lower unit. Not too close unless there is a particular feature that you want to show.)