TOPIC: Help ID'ing Johnson approx year

I'm looking at this old motor soon but the seller can't get me a serial number right now.

Can anyone help me ID what year this is from? I'm trying to figure out if I can convert it to remote steering for a small runabout. I've been told that it's harder on older '70s johnsons and that it's possible for ones from later in the decade.

Give us the model number off of the rectangular info plate that's visible in the pic, attached to the Port side transom clamp. That'll pin it down to the exact year...........ed

I haven't bought the motor yet and the seller is taking his time getting to a storage unit to take a picture of the plate. I think with Merc, you can tell approximate years based on the decals on the cowling. I can't seem to find any pictures showing the different years when they changed the decals from one design to another. Was hoping somebody here had an idea off the top of their head.

Looks like a '77. '76 decals are completely different, '78-'79 are very similar but the "25" is in red letters not black. So my bet is 1977.

www.marineengine.com/parts/johnson-evinrude-parts.php?year=1977&hp=25

Picture from here: obparts.com/used-outboard-motors/1977-johnson-seahorse-25-hp-2-cylinder-carbureted-2-stroke-20-l-outboard-motor/

(googling Johnson 25, along with different years)

Those graphics were almost identical from around 1977 through around 1980-81.
A model number, not a serial number, is needed to verify.
There were several good changes to the gearcase and mid-section starting in 1978 all the way through 1982.
Also the cooling system on a 1977 is less than robust and the parts needed to repair are NLA. No, those parts are not the water pump parts. There is a plastic water tube coupler up in the mid-section that would melt and collapse on the early ones.

Thank you all! That is very helpful.
If it's a 77 or later motor, do you have any idea if it's possible to convert from tiller to remote steering for a small runabout? I've heard that for some reason this isn't possible on earlier 1970's ones but that it's possible later in the decade.

thanks for the link, Catalina61.
Im also hoping to become a Catalina caretaker soon btw. picking up a hull/project this week I hope.

If the motor in question has the original hood, it should be a 1977. there were changes each year to
the stripes:

There were adapter kits for the throttle and shift that could assist in making it a remote but if that particular engine does not have the tilt tube (and the photo shows that it is not there) then it is a monumental task and not worth it to convert it to a single cable steer system.
I would walk away from this particular vintage and look for something 1982 and later.

honkytonkheartache wrote: Thank you all! That is very helpful.
If it's a 77 or later motor, do you have any idea if it's possible to convert from tiller to remote steering for a small runabout? I've heard that for some reason this isn't possible on earlier 1970's ones but that it's possible later in the decade.

You'd have to use a transom-mounted steering cable adapter kit for a motor without the "Ride Guide" tube. Such as this one:

www.amazon.com/Teleflex-SA27256-Aluminum-Transom-Connection/dp/B0000AXTPQ