Compatible?

[wiscoboater]

Hello Gents,
I have a 59 Evinrude 18 on an old wood boat. I have a chance to purchase a 68 evinrude 18 with electric start option. Will the 68 electric start parts be a direct bolt on to my 59? I love the 59, but my shoulder does not love pulling it over!! I’m getting older and would LOVE an electric start.

[fleetwin]

Hmmm, the 68 18hp has a plug connector for the harness in through the motor pan. Does it look like the 59 has a place in the lower pan where the plug connector could go through? If so, I’m sure the parts will swap OK. Do you have the boat harness for the 68?

[frankr]

I’d look out for the side brackets. Different hood mounts and different carb silencer come to mind.

[wiscoboater]

I thought about the pan harness access. No, it does not but I have hole saws and grommets. My biggest question is are the blocks the same as far as mounting bosses. If I have to drill and tap a few, no problem. I’m just wondering if they are there to do that? The starter brackets, did they change from 59 to 65?

[chinewalker]

Yes, it’ll bolt on. Block mounting points are the same.

[bill-mcnamara]

I did a similar swap from a ’61 e-start to a ’57 18hp manual Johnson a few years ago, worked perfectly.
Think I had to add a bolt facing forward on the bracket to accomodate the rubber bumper for the cowl though.
Also swapped the lower forward pan from a ’58 18hp with its modification for its "stop" button. The pin-plug from the ’61 internal harness fit right into the protrusion, so I had a quick disconnect, no holes to drill in the ’57’s pan, slick.
So now I have a "hybrid" ’57-’58-’61 model.

[phil-b]

The kill switch is located where the connector goes.

I’ve been thinking of the reverse (moving starter from a 1959 18hp to a 1961)

[wiscoboater]

The guy never called me back 👿 Sometimes I hate craigs list sellers 👿

[wiscoboater]

Good news! The guy finally called and I picked up the motor for $50. Turns out it was a 1961 , not a 68. I brought it home and in about an hour I had the electric start swapped onto my 59. Everything bolted right up, no problems or surprises and it works GREAT! Very happy boater today!

[archangel]

That’s fantastic news! Happy resolutions to outboard issues give me hope and optimism that I can resolve my own. Enjoy the pain and exertion-free boating. It’ll make the day on the lake a lot more fun for you and those with you.

[Author]

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