Identifying Evinrude and Johnson Outboard Motors
Identifying Evinrude and Johnson Outboard Motors
When you are searching for parts for your boat's engine, it's very important to have the proper information regarding the brand, size and type of engine you have. Unfortunately, every engine manufacturer uses different information and a different system to identify their engines.
Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) has been the parent company for Evinrude and Johnson outboard motors for many years. As such, the system and process for identifying those engines are the same. In the article below, we will walk you through how to find the correct identification information for Johnson and Evinrude engines, and we'll help to translate that information into something you can use.
Model Number is the Key
Most marine engine manufacturers rely on some type of number or code to properly identify each motor they produce. This number is the key to understanding when the engine was made, what design features it contains, and what size it is. However, as we already noted, not all engine manufacturers use the same information. For instance, Mercury engines use a serial number to identify their outboard motors.
Although Johnson and Evinrude serial numbers do not exist per se, their model numbers sreve the same function, making them the key to accurately identifying your outboard engine. The model number is a combination of letters and numbers that tell a complete story about the engine in question. If you know how to decode the model number, you can learn everything you need to know before ordering replacement parts and service kits.
Each Johnson and Evinrude outboard model number usually begins with one or two letters, then is followed by two or three numbers, before finishing with several more letters (note this only applies to engines from 1980 onward; before 1980, the model code format varied). Here's an example of what a typical Johnson or Evinrude model number looks like:
We'll get into what each section of the model number means below. First, though, you need to know where to find your engine model number so you can start unraveling its tale.
Finding a Johnson or Evinrude Outboard Model Number
The model number for Johnson and Evinrude outboards is usually found on an identification tag that is located on the transom mounting bracket of the engine. The tag is on the left side of the bracket; if there isn't a number there, look at the motor itself. Hopefully, the model number is still legible when you find it! One of the most common problems we encounter when helping people identify parts for their engines is that after years of wear, the model number is no longer readable. We strongly recommend you write down your engine model number somewhere safe so you have an additional resource to refer to long after the original identification tag cannot be read.
Identifying the Model Variations and Style
Model numbers for Johnson and Evinrude outboards always begin with one or two letters giving some basic information about the engine. Two or three numbers will follow these letters. The letters represent the engine brand along with any model variations, but the variation designation will not always be present. If your model number has just one letter before the numbers, then your engine does not have any model variations. If there are two letters before the number, the first letter will be the model variation, and the second letter will be the engine brand.
Model variations are used to designate special design features with the engine. This usually appears if the engine was manufactured in other countries besides the United States. It can also be present to designate when an engine with certain features was produced for a specific boat builder.
Model variation options for Johnson and Evinrude engines are:
- A = Australia
- B = Belgium
- C = Canada
- H = Hong Kong
- S = South America
- T = Tracker Boats
- V = Boat Builder
The engine brand - or "style" as it is referred to by BRP - will either come after the model variation or be the first letter in the model number. It illustrates the specific engine brand of either Johnson or Evinrude (or the lesser-known OMC outboard brand, Quiet Rider). In rare cases, there will be no letter present for designating style - this means the engine was originally produced for commercial vessel use.
Style options for Johnson/Evinrude engines are:
- J = Johnson
- E = Evinrude
- V = Quiet Rider
- Blank = for commercial use
Identifying the Horsepower
The next section of the model number on Johnson and Evinrude outboard engines is the horsepower. There will be two or three numbers that represent the horsepower of the engine. This is the most straightforward part of the model number and the easiest to understand - if the numbers are 7 and 0, the engine has 70 horsepower. It's also one of the most critical parts of the model number needed in order to properly identify the engine and look up parts for it.
Identifying the Many Design Features
The next section of the Johnson and Evinrude model numbers is the most complex. Following the horsepower, there will be one or two letters identifying specific design features of the engine. These features can be related to several characteristics, including starting style, tilt/trim options and even paint color. To further complicate this portion of the model number, in 1999 BRP overhauled and reduced the number of design feature codes available. So, if your engine was manufactured before 1999, the list of codes available for your engine are different than the list of codes for engines manufactured in 1999 and afterwards. If you don't know what year your motor was manufactured, keep reading - we're getting there!
Design Feature Options for Engines Manufactured BEFORE 1999
Design Feature Options for Engines Manufactured in 1999 & AFTER
- AE = Electric Start - Alaska
- AR = Rope Start - Alaska
- BA = AC Lightning - Rope Start
- BE = Belgium Derated - Electric Start
- BF = Belgium Derated - Rope Start
- BG = Belgium Derated - Rope Start
- BI = Belgium Derated - Rope Start
- BR = Euro Rope Start
- C = Counter-Rotation
- CE = Canada Derated - Electric Start
- CR = Canada Derated - Rope Start
- D = Remote Electric
- DE = Derated - Electric Start
- DR = Derated - Rope Start
- DT = Derated - Electric Start/Trim and Tilt
- E = Electric Start
- ER = Electric Start - Sport Styling
- ES = Electric Start - Special
- FA = 4 stroke, Rope Start - AC Lightning
- FE = 4 stroke, Electric Start/Tiller
- FP = Commercial with Program Tilt
- FR = 4 stroke, Rope Start
- FRE = 4 stroke, Electric Start/Remote
- FS = FICHT, Trim and Tilt
- FT = FICHT, Trim and Tilt/Special Styling
- G = Special Styling
- H = Less Integral Tank/Hydraulic Steering
- I = FICHT Fuel Injection
- IE = Italy Electric Start
- IK = Italy Electric Start
- J = Jet Drive
- K = 3-Cylinder 25/35
- KC = Kerosene Rope Start
- KG = Kerosene/Gasoline
- KS = Kerosene Rope Start
- M = Manual Tilt - Electric Start
- MS = Manual Tilt - Electric Start/Special
- N = Counter-Rotation
- P = Power Steering
- Q = 3-Cylinder 25/35 Trim and Tilt
- R = Rope Start
- RA = Australia Rope Start
- RC = Rope Start - Commercial/CD Ignition
- RD = Rope Start - Deluxe
- RE = Remote Electric
- RP = Commercial with Program Tilt
- RS = Rope Start - Commercial
- RW = Commercial with Interlock
- S = Sail - Special Styling
- SC = Special Styling/Counter-Rotation
- SE = Electric Start Non-Tilt Sail
- SI = Italy Special Derated
- SL = 60°V, Trim and Tilt
- SP = Special Styling
- SR = Rope Start - Sail - Non-Tilt
- ST = Special Styling - Trim and Tilt
- T = Trim & Tilt - Electric Start
- TE = Tiller Electric
- TR = Trim and Tilt - Sport Styling
- TT = Tiller - Trim and Tilt (Backtroller)
- U = Manual Tilt
- V = Special Gearcase
- W = 110° Angle Drive - Rope Start
- WM = Electric Commercial - Manual Tilt
- WMP = Same as “WM” w/Chrome Pump
- WT = Electric Commercial - Trim and Tilt
- WTP = Same as “WT” w/Chrome Pump
- 3 = 3 Cylinder (25/35HP)
- 4 = 4 Stroke Engine
- B = Blue Paint
- C = Counter Rotation with Tilt and Trim
- D = E-TEC
- E = Electric Start with Remote Steering
- F = FICHT Fuel Injection
- G = Graphite Paint
- J = Jet
- M = Military Model
- P = Power Trim and Tilt
- R = Rope Start with Tiller Steering
- S = Special Styling (White Evinrude)
- T = Tiller Steering
- TE = Tiller Electric
- W = Commercial Model
Identifying the Shaft Length
The next section of the Johnson and Evinrude model number refers to the lower unit's vertical shaft length. This is important because the vertical shaft length ultimately determines the height of the lower unit and is needed to properly match the engine to different sizes of transoms. In some cases, there will not be a letter present for the shaft length. For these engines, the shaft length will be the standard 15 inches.
The Johnson and Evinrude shaft length options are:
- Blank = 15 inches
- L = 20 inches
- Y = 22.5 inches
- X = 25 inches
- Z = 30 inches
Identifying the Year of Manufacture
One of the most important pieces of information about any marine engine is when it was made. The model year has a big impact on what parts are correct for the engine. For Johnson and Evinrude engines, the year of manufacture is represented in the model number, but a special code is used to identify it. Don't worry - you won't need your special decoder ring. Simply use the word "INTRODUCES" and line it up with the numbers 1 through 9 before ending with 0. Each letter corresponds to a specific number. When decoded, the two letters in the model number will specify the year of manufacture. For instance, an engine with the code "CS" corresponds to the number "80" or the year 1980. The code "EU" corresponds to the number "97", or a manufacturing year of 1997, and so on. The year code is right after the shaft length letter and before the final suffix (if any).
Johnson and Evinrude Date Code Explained:
| I | N | T | R | O | D | U | C | E | S |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 |
Identifying the Model Run or Suffix
If there is any letter after the date code in the Johnson and Evinrude model number, it is a designation of a particular model run or suffix. It's useful for identifying slight variations of engines made within the same year, but what the letter represents from year to year may vary. It's not too important to know what the suffix letter represents - only that it is a part of the overall model number. In many cases, there may not be a model run or suffix present.
Need More Help?
If you ever need more assistance identifying your Evinrude or Johnson outboard engine or finding specific parts for your engine, feel free to contact the knowledgeable, ABYC-certified folks at Marine Parts Source by calling 866-388-0390. We'll help you find what you need!
