JohnnyRude question
 

Skools, Ferm, any other JohnnyRude gurus;
On the 3 cylinder 50/60/70 hp motors, they are all essentially the same. Right? What are the differences that make up the horsepower variables? Is it all carbs? Are the reeds different? I'm almost sure that the bore and stroke are the same on these motors, but could be wrong. I really don't know.
Please enlighten me. :hi:

I know that there were some different ignition systems used on them early on(non magneto styles). I'm not really up on the old loopers myself, only the 90 degree engines. But OMC was famous for making only small changes to each engine and keeping the block and such the same across the board. Normally the tuners were different as well as carburation. Some years had different reeds as well. MERCURY was the one that made it complicated, they would make 6 different variations of a block and they would all be the same HP rating. You can always go here http://12.2.215.22/pub/default.asp?S...g=EN&brands=EJ and look up the different part numbers for each engine to see what changed.

Thanks Ferm. That catalog looks like it'll take a while to sift through. I was hoping for some quick easy answers. I'll peruse the differences in that catalog late tonight when there are fewer disturbances in the house.

I guess what I'm wondering is; how difficult would it be to say, turn a 50 hp 3 cylinder into a 70 hp 3 cylinder. Can I just change the carbs and get the extra hp out of the motor? I'm looking at a bigger motor, but was wondering if I could save myself some dough and do the simple upgrade.

What year is it?

1997

Here goes, according to the catalog the 50 uses it's own unique cylinder head and the 60 and 70 use the same head. The carbs are different for a 50, 60 or 70(figured this was the main difference), but the rest of the parts look to be the same. Even the exhaust tuner is the same part number for all 3. So if you have a 50 you'll need a 60/70 cylinder head and the bigger carbs with the correct jets for the bigger carbs. And possibly a different timing setting. So if you could find a cheap junk 70, you could swap a 50 to a 70 in a few hours time.

Hes to lazy for that!!:nut:

I'm too lazy? I'M TOO LAZY???????????? HA! Go back to sleep. :bat:

Ferm. Thank you very much. Do you happen to know what is unique on the 50 cylinder head?
You touched on why I'm asking this. The new ProLine boat I boat has a 50. Underpowered for sure. I know where I can get a junk 70 with a good power head for $500-$600 complete.
I also have looked at a nice 1998 90 hp Johnny which, if it runs as good as it looks, I can get for @ $1800-$2000.
I'm leaning towards the 90 if it checks out. That is the top end of what the boat is rated for. There were a couple of other four stroke motors I looked into, but the extra weight/power ratio didn't seem like a good match for this boat.
What ya think?
MJ. Step away from the keyboard and go back to sleep.

It probably has a more closed design on the 50 cylinder head to lilit the flow through the cylinder. As for the 90, do you know if it is a looper or cross-flow. Both were available in 98. If it's a looper I would consider it, but a cross-flow is one thirsty SOB. Upgrading your 50 to a 70 would probably be the cheapest, and then get a good prop. I had a friend with the same PRO-LINE that you have and his had an 85 MERC on it, he felt it was slightly overpowered for him.

That's what I was concerned about initially, but then I figured I see all these 17' Whalers with 90s on them. I don't know if it's a Xflow or Looper. Is there an easy visual way to tell? I'm going there on Monday.

The looper will have a narrow cowling like a MERC, whereas the cross-flow will be wide like MJ's 225(just not quite as wide). Another easy way to tel is if the exhaust cover has a big bubble in it and is removeable. The cross flow is a solid engine that won't let you down, but D*MN will it burn some gas. My 83 115(same as a 85+ 90) will burn an easy 10-12 gallons per hour at cruise, where as my 85 140 makes over 50% more HP and burns 8-9 gallons per hour at cruise.

OK I woke up what I miss?? O yea you lazy and want to fix up that 5o!!

I got a Idea, why not just stay with the 50 the way it is, Then the Pro Line be as lazy as the owner! :nut:

Now now ladies, play nice:beer:.

Yeah. This coming from the biggest slug I know. exercise for MJ is a good bowel movement in the morning. thanks for your constructive criticism Mr. Motivation.
Ferm; the only V4 covers I've seen all pretty much look the same to me. They all appear wide. The only difference I saw on this particular one I'm looking at is that it had vents on either side of the cover.

The quick way to tell is if you can see the actual engine. If the cylinder heads have covers bolted on to them then it is a cross flow. The loopers use 1 piece cylinder heads. Also a cross-flow will have 1 piece all metal carbs, whereas a looper will have metal throttle bodies with plastic carb bodys bolted to them. There both good engines, but loopers are definately better on fuel.

So, this is a cross-flow motor?

Mj sucks

Yep, that be a cross-flow. It won't let you down in reliability, but they sure do like gas. There built off of the time honored 2 stroke design that has been around since the late teens(some even earlier, I have a 1903 cross-flow engine). If your looking for reliable power for short runs it'll get you there, but not the cheapest on gas. Your current 3 cylinder engine is the origanal looper design(the first one ever mass produced for marine actually), and very good all around. The only real draw back to cross-flows is fuel consumption, but at $3 somethin a gallon it makes a difference now.

Thank you for all your help Ferm. While I have a captive audience, I'd just like to state for the record; MJ sucks and is a slug.

Actually, Ferm. While you're so free with the advice tonight, what do you know about early 2000 Merc 90 hp four strokes? Good, bad, indifferent. Heavy I know. I've heard of carb problems, but may have been more owner related due to E10 gas.
Just weighing all my options here.:hi::beer:

The only things I know about 4 strokers is that SUZUKI and HONDA is all 4 strokes across the board, JOHNSON got there 4 strokes from SUZUKI, HONDA has been building longer than the rest, and that MERCURY used YAMAHA heavily in there R&D and even some of there engines are re-badged YAMAHA's.

Other than that, THERE TOO D*MN QUIET!!!!! I don't trust it if it don't growl at me, and my current MERC REALLY growls!

Ha! I had a feeling that would be your answer.:you:

I'm trying to confirm if this one is a rebadged Yamaha as it seems it could be.

:nut:Yep you be the one to ask about sucking now wouldn't you!:nut:

What the hell are you talking about?:head:

Check this out CB.

http://greensboro.craigslist.org/boa/612753979.html

Looks clean, but..........the locale doesn't work for me. And it's probably an electric shift on the lower unit. Never again. :zip:

I was gonna crate it and mail it if you were intrested.

I know NOTHING about those motors, except they are loud and smelly.

They aint loud and smelly.


They talk and fart, like me:sun:.

That's a good motor and for 650 you can't beat it. 3 cyl will run on 12 gallons all day long. My '75 model 70hp was the same motor and I sank it and ran it 3 more years.

Loud and smelly - rubbish and poppycok!!
:bsflag:

Well, I went to look at the 90hp Johnson. It turned out to be a looper model. The problem was with the shop owner. I'm pretty certain his name was Richard Head.:fight: The guy decides to raise the price and overall very un cooperative in letting me check it out.
The search goes on.