penny for your thoughts?
 

Ok gentleman, so last weekend i was out fishing and my motor started running rough. its a 97 johnson 200 ocean pro. came in and checked it, it has low compression on 2 cylinders. oil pump and water pump both seem to be fine, so i am not sure what caused this, or if it was an issue from the previous owner.

I went this morning and got a price for a new 150 optimax at $12,500 rigged. I have not got estimates on what it is going to be to fix the johnson though, so i am curious as to what yall would thing the best course of action would be. i like the new motor idea, but id have to finance it.

Are the two cylinders next to each other?
Could just be a head gasket.

What was the compression? If it was the bottom 2, and only say 10-15PSI lower, then that is normal. Some later model engines had bigger combustion chambers on the bottom 2 cylinders than the top 4 had which gave lower compression out of them.

really low. like 30 psi the other was 60, and they arent close to each other

If you don't get your engine fixed,and happen to wind up looking for a used engine, I have a 96 130 Johnson for sale w 126 hours on a new power head from 09 I'm going to be selling. Just throwing it out there.

if you go new, look at four strokes because they are not obsolete like Hair bands, Mullets, and 2 stroke motors....:booty:

would you buy a new car with a carburated V8, drum brakes and 3 on the tree?

If so, I have a VHS tape player you might be interested in...:nut:

that 150 Opti is a good motor, weighs less than a four stroke and will get better fuel economy, you will have to burn good oil though. I haven't quoted a 15o lately, the last 90 Yamah I installed came out around $9000 for the engine, the last 250 I hung was $18,500. $12,500 is a pretty good price installed

I will buy the VHS player i still have about 200 VHS tapes And one back up VHS there better than DVDs they don't freeze

could possibly get a merc 150 4S for close to the same coin. i just put one on mine last oct. and love it.
was it the smart thing to do, probably not.
is the hull worth it, probably not,
will i ever get at least half my money back, probably not.

was it worth it, oh yeah.
skunk and spare are both right on the money.

Opti is a great engine and will be reliable if you take care of it (regular services and use merc DFI oil). My opinion is the following.

Pros: more fuel efficient than most four strokes, cheaper than 4 strokes, lightweight, better performance then 4 strokes, relatively cheap parts.

Cons: Merc DFI oil is expensive, they're not quiet.

I love the Opti, but on my 20Fisherman build next year will probably go for the 200 inline 4 from Yamaha because of resale value, and quietness.