i have found a 87 225 johnson thats the right price if it checks out... i know the v20s were rated for 200 but i believe ive saw a few on here with 225s hanging on to them?


opinions is a 225 too much or worth a shot?

Your 90 model was rated for a 235HP engine IIRC. It is a bit on the large side for a V-20, but it can handle it. Just hang on because if the engine is up to par with a good prop, low to mid 50's is in your future. And if it is in fact an 87 engine I would shy away from it. The 86-87 200/225's can be problematic and ratehr tempermental. OMC used a 2.7L engine for 86-87 for the 200/225's, and the samll bore engines overheated and had alot of other issues with them. The good side is if it is a factory replacement powerhead, it will be the 88-92 style large bore 3.0L engine, and they were solid as a rock. So look at teh engine and see if it has the model number on the welch block of the block of the engine. If it does get teh numebr and cross check it to the year and see if it is an 87 small bore engine.

Ahhh... the good old days.

Don't get me wrong, I love the 150 ETEC, but that 225 would haul some ***.

Thanks for the info, im driving out to see it this evening

Motor i looked at tonight was junk, the search continues

I think in a perfect world id like to find a smaller engine. I dont need tons of speed and would love to do better on fuel. If anyone knows of a good one please let ne know.

Ive also found several other boats that are in good running shape on the cheap, it looks like i may just buy a different boat and maybe just maybe back the v into the garage this winter and part out the motor and fix the hull up

Who knows at this point, im just glad the fishing sucks during this time of year in my area

I like the 130/140 EVINRUDE and JOHNSON's myself. The big V-4's do the job just fine, and get decent milage. Your old 175 was a known fuel pig, so I bet you would see a fuel savings going to one as well. Weight is about the same, and if you get one before 95 the wiring harness and cables will all hook right up.

She loved her fuel and drank plenty of it. i dont know what it was burning MPG wise but it was pretty pathetic. Hell if i took a season off of fishing 4+ days a week i could buy a nice used motor with what money i didnt put in the gas tank

I always thought that people never take a good running engine off a boat for no reason, with a few exceptions for those going to fourstrokes. You might be better off finding a boat, motor and trailer combo for sale with the engine you want and taking the engine off and selling the rest. You can get the whole rig for the same or a little more or even a little less than just an engine a lot of times. Might be a chance to switch up to a better/newer trailer too.

I had an '84 140 Rude and was amazed at how long a 25 gal tank of gas lasted!!...On a heavy V-hulled 17' Thunderbird...fished, skied and all w/that thing...