can I turn it into a short shaft

[lawnboy]

I have a Johnson 15 horse and it’s a long shaft. The age is a 1978, and my question is can I turn it into a short shaft just by taking out the midsection? Or do I have to get another shaft? I was told that some of them have short shafts added with splines that can be taken out.:confused:

[jpollman]

Lawnboy,

I'm no expert but I believe it can. You'll probably just have to get a different driveshaft though. I'm pretty sure that you just have to take the lower unit off. (Like you were going to change the impeller) Then just remove the 5" "spacer". Then you'd have to install the shorter driveshaft. Then it would just be reassembled as a "short shaft".

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http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=17

You'll have to register to post there but it's free and easy. I found them a couple of months ago and there are guys there that can answer just about ANY question on ANY outboard ever made !

[TONGA]

dose your engine have a 5 inch spacer in the mid housing or is the mid just one piece?
are you sure you have a long shaft, did you measure it ? is it a 15" mid or a 20" mid or a 25" mid ?
on the OMC's ( Johnson and Evenrude"s) the little ones that is a 25" mid may be a dealer kit ,that would consist of a 5" mid spacer and a 5" extention for the drive shaft and shift shaft that is added to a 20" mid
I have never seen one of these kits on a 15" mid.
what is the problem whith the way it is now.
a proper setup for a fishing boat would be to have the cavitation plate of the lower end even with the bottom of the hull
If yours is to far under the boat you can always make a homemade fixed position jack plate for your transom!!
do you have a pic and measurments of your mid section? I would really like to see them before I give you advice about modifying you engine !

[lawnboy]

As soon as I can I’ll give you some answers. I do know for sure that it has a mid section about 5”. The reason why I want to take it out is that I cant trailer it the way that it is. It’s just too low. And most of the areas that I plan to use it are on the shallow side.

[TONGA]

can't you just tilt and lock the moter for trailoring?

[IRock]

I did it on a evinrude. Best bet is to call a dealer and see if there are parts for it. You would need a shorter shaft.

[lawnboy]

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/550/400boat.jpg


This is what it looks like

[IRock]

It looks like you do have a 5" spacer. If so I would think you can get a shaft from a dealer.

[BilgeRat]

Try Lockemans Hardware, Dave or Ben there. These guys know there johnson motors. http://www.lockemans.com/.

[TONGA]

lawnboy you may not have to get a shaft,,you will have to drop the lower and mid to see,,but some of those kits also have a extention for the drive and shift shaft,,,all of the ones I have seen have a 5" drive shaft extention right at the powerhead

[POLARBEAR]

lawnboy, is your boat setup for a shortshaft? if this motor runs good i think i would consider a jackplate or just adding to the transom. i was told with my boat that i could only raise the motor 2 inches. if you get it out of the water to far you will suck air in your water pump.