Dear Dave,
I don't deal with the Johnsons too much, but the last I checked they had a different engine cover/size/profile. I agree that they are the same in wt etc, but the top of it WAS different. I could very well be wrong this year, but they WERE, and I just cringe when somebody says 'my engine doesn't fit... therefore these "other engines" (fill in name here) won't fit either.'
The Mercs are Yamahas, Johnsons built by Suzuki, it makes my head spin! But they aren't always the same and that's a fact.
So, if YOUR rig didn't work, please share the info. If you extrapolate into other brands and decide a Suzuki won't fit -for instance- my boss starts making ME check if its true, and its alot of work. Plus, I don't have every boat at my disposal, or an infinite amount of time to play, etc, etc.
So out of self pity I'm responding. The value of this site is people sharing what they KNOW.
And I KNOW I've gone on too long!
Thanks everybody for your indulgence. I'll update my profile right away. (Plus, you only get away with being the New Guy for so long).
Cheers,
John Cameron
still a new guy