Power heads useable on a 1954 johnson 10hp (QD-15)

[blaine09]

ive had trouble finding a new powerhead for my qd-15, a man at the boat store was telling me there was another 10hp powerhead that fit it was either the 1953 or the 1955. i was wondering if there was any truth to this before i purchase one.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Power heads useable on a 1954 johnson 10hp (QD-15)

1955 was re-designed with the rubber shock mounts and the lower shroud on the engine. 1953 had the earlier fins forward shroud, so there may be minor differences in the design of the powerhead. So, it's really hard to tell on that one. I do believe the 53 model had the same design of motor leg as the 54 though

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Power heads useable on a 1954 johnson 10hp (QD-15)

Zephyr,
Are you sure the '55 will fit a '54? I own a '55 10hp and it has a sealed belly pan and cowl. I was thinking the '54 model did not and was closer to the '53 model. Either way, I have tried to swap a '53 and '52 powerhead, and even they are a little different, even where the mounting gasket surface is. I'm thinking that the '54 and '53 powerheads may have more in common than the '54 and '55, but..........
I could be wrong.
Later,
JBJ

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Power heads useable on a 1954 johnson 10hp (QD-15)

Yea, I think the 53 would be closer to fitting than the 55, after I looked at the parts list. The 53 model did have the roto-grip throttle like the 54 and the same motor leg, so it might work.

 

[blaine09]

Re: Power heads useable on a 1954 johnson 10hp (QD-15)

guess ill have to get my hands on them and try it out for myself!

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Power heads useable on a 1954 johnson 10hp (QD-15)

Yea, it's best to take yours and match it up. Since the shrouding is completely different, you'll want to make sure that the older one will accomodate the later shroud set up, that is on your 54 model. 54 and later has the wings on the head, for the rear shroud mounts, whereas the 53 had the shroud attached by screws to the powerhead and mounted differently. The 54 and later also had the wings on the front to hold the shroud too.