1969 Johnson 85 power tilt options

Eddie327 · Apr 7, 2023

Are there any options for power tilt on a 1969 Johnson 85ESL69S. I have looked around some but have not came up with a lot so far. I did see the 0172189 power tilt kit for a 72 but even it is no longer available. I also found a POWER TILT KIT PART# 173669 that is available but not sure if it would fit my motor I believe it states 78 and later manual tilt V4's. So where there any original ones out there for this model motor or that was not an option in 1969. Are there any aftermarket ones that may possibly work or is just a no go for this model motor.

racerone · Apr 7, 2023

Your location ?

racerone · Apr 7, 2023

Kits were available in 1969.----Afternarker trim / tilt is available.----Try to find ----CMC------on line.

Eddie327 · Apr 7, 2023

racerone said:
Your location ?

Mobile, AL

Eddie327 · Apr 7, 2023

racerone said:
Kits were available in 1969.----Afternarker trim / tilt is available.----Try to find ----CMC------on line.

You would not happen to know what the kit number was of the one available for my motor in case I did happen across one? Would anyone have any pics maybe of the correct setup for reference.

Eddie327 · Apr 7, 2023

Would any of these be in the ball park of what I am looking for?

faztbullet · Apr 9, 2023

Are you wanting a tilt kit? A tilt kit raises/lowers motor for launching. A tilt/trim kit allows the motor to be raised /lowered while under way?

Eddie327 · Apr 9, 2023

Yes tilt kit. Just looking to add the one that would have originally been for my motor back in the day. I looked at the CMC but not looking to go into that much. Just the simple cylinder and pump with switch.

Eddie327 · Apr 21, 2023

Ok so I believe I have pretty much have all I need to give this a shot. If it works out that would be good if not will just keep my current setup. So a few questions I have or just not familiar with yet but learning as I go as seems to be the procedure with anything older such as this. If anyone has any manuals, setup info, maintenance, install or such for this what would be kit 0172189 I would love to have them to read.

So what oil would these system used back in the day? hydraulic oil, power tilt trim oil, or other?
As far as filling just until level with the fill hole on the side?

My new cylinder on the bottom mount has a hole size of approx. 11/16" The pivot pin sent with the setup I got measures 5/8" and my pivot pin in my setup measures 9/16". So either way this is not going to be a snug fit or machine fit. Would you use the same bushing the shock absorber used 0315222? In the diagram shown here they do not list anything but for the top they do. I have found a bushing with a O.D. 11/16" x I.D. 9/16" but would not have thought I needed that. They did not operate with that much slack for sure did they?

As for the tilt locks on both sides of my motor I am guessing they will have to be removed? Mine also has an aluminum bracket that is locked into the outer most thrust rod holes. I will include a picture for reference. This is usually where I place the motor when towing along with the locking lever. So if I get as far as getting this installed I am a little confused about how I will get the motor in this position with the switch up front or so. I do see some have two and three switches mounted in different locations which I guess facilitates with this dilima. On another note I see the pump setup has a manual release on it so my thinking is if your at the motor you could release it and let it sit on the bracket?

To get the shock absorber pivot pin out or move at least enough to install the new hydraulic cylinder its looking like the motor is going to have to be suspended and unbolted from the transom since the outer bracket does not allow enough clearance for the pin to slide out. If not for this step here doesn't seem to bad at all. This looks like it could be a pain here though.

Anyway just trying to figure out and learn as I go and understand all the ins and outs before I decide to tackle this. What I don't want to do is tear into it and figure out that I don't have it all or something has to be made or modified or such. I do have more pictures if anything is not shown that needs to be and if I don't have a picture of something in question I will get some more if needed.