Clinton Chief J-9 question

[14decoys]

I have a Clinton Chief J-9 and I am guessing its a mid 60s model. 66-67 by what I can see online. Serial number is 66045. While reading what I can find on this motor I saw that Clinton Engines sold or moved from Clinton Michigan to Maquoketa Iowa in 1950. Any pictures of the ID plate I see on motors similar to mine have Maquoketa on them, but mine reads Clinton Mich, USA.

Seems odd to me that 16 or 17 years later they would still use an old nameplate.

Any thoughts?

[Buccaneer]

According to this pdf, they made they J9’s as early as 1959,
and thru, and maybe later than, 1963.
This 1963 data is still showing Clinton, Michigan

Clinton

Prepare to be boarded!

[14decoys]

Thanks for that. I just read on another site that Clinton used both plants for manufacturing for a time. I was guessing at 66-67 based on something i found online and using the serial #, but maybe its earlier. Of course I cant find that source again!! If anyone knows the year of this motor I would appreciate it. Not a huge deal but Id just like to know.

Thanks, Steve

[frankr]

Here ya go—-

https://www.discount-marine-parts.com/ob_clinton_1.html

[14decoys]

Thanks! Looks like the 5hp Chief was made from 64-67. Right inline with what I thought.

I’ve looked at quite a few pictures of these online but still haven’t seen another with the CHIEF logo like mine has. Mine has a block style font unlike any I’ve seen.

Again, not a big deal, but interesting to me.

[wagemaker47]

clinton became sooooo big in 1950ish they bought & moved to a much bigger and better located facility in Iowa–BUT they kept the

chain saw & outboard production in Clinton ,MI until 1959ish—-the original factory  still exists in Clinton ,MI as a RailRoad Museum-

The original early Clinton ID plates say COMPANY—later  around 1959 it was CORP–also around 1959 outboard changed from CLINTON ,MI —to IOWA—the HQ in IOWA still exists as the CLINTON MUSEUM-they were the LARGEST MFG of small engines in the world- (many were 4 cycle) until TECUMSEH claimed that title until they were pushed out by Briggs & Stratton-dont expect to see a museum full of clinton outboards in museum–they are with all the other engines and are just 1 display–FYI-Clinton still produced last I heard 1 part and only 1 part—the tank to outboard unique fitting for $50

[wagemaker47]

heres the original CLINTON ,MI factory today as a RR Museum–

also heres early 1954ish clinton 3.5hp outboard–note the CHAIN SAW recoil–thats how related the outboards were to the clinton chain saws at first

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