Repower with 1983 235 VRO?
 

So I know it's an old motor (OMC), but apparently it's rock solid with all new gaskets, new impeller etc., and I think I can get it for $2k. My 150 VRO has been steady these past 10 years but a cylinder is scored and she may be on her way out - lots of white smoke probably from sea water getting to the head. I'm not a wrench and I don't want to spend $5K or more rebuilding it.

My questions is, does anyone know the weight of this 235 OMC? I have a rebuilt and solid transom done professionally so I think I can possibly go up to 500 lbs but the extra torque has me a bit concerned. Any ideas ... ?

Oh, if anyone has a solid 4 stroke for a reasonable price ... ha ha

Thanks!

I would think that 2k would buy a lot better motor than a 30 year old two thirsty five...

heck my tower o power is only a few years older and I wouldn't value it over a few hundred.

My V20 has a 1991 Johnnyrude 225 on it and it handles the power with zero problems. Can't speak for the weight, but you should be fine in the power dept.

The guy says he's got $4k in the rebuild, which isn't hard to do. But I agree that it's a lot of coin for an old gas sucker like that. I think I'll clean the tanks, clean the carbon with dunks decarbon method (just found that info here today) and see how long it keeps running before I make any rash purchases. Who knows, maybe a nice 4 cyl will come on the m
arket up here in the NW this fall.

Would love to reduce fuel consumption a bit ...

I used to run a 235 on my v20 and later a V8 Johnson 250 on a Aquasport 25 CCP I ran for a time. The 235 drank 5 more gallons a hour at full throttle (32 gallons an hour) than the V8 did. If you want to reduce fuel consumption RUN don't walk. If you want power you can'beat a 235. I have seen dyno results that they ran more like 256 hp at the prop even before they went to prop rating vice power head.

Kamikaze

Use the 2 grand for a down payment on a new power plant and the gas money you save to make the payments.

The 235 is the same basic engine as many 150's built from 85-90. OMC enlarged the ports, put in the bubble back exhaust housing, and a MASSIVE set of carbs to pump it up to 235 propshaft HP(in reality it is equivelant to about a 185HP today). And they never made an 83 with VRO. VRO came out mid year 84, so not even all 84's had it. Corrosion is a HUGE issue on the older engines simply due to age and useage. Personally I would walk away for that price. Even if it is pristine it will eat you alive in fuel costs.

Weight on that beast is 492 lbs.

Weight on a 83 235HP is about 385 pounds, same weight(within a few pounds) as a 83 150.

Thanks, guys. I think I'll pass on this beast. My current '92 150 rude already has me running to the pump ...