[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by Steplift 72'

I tried to run the VRO, but while breaking in the new powerhead supplied by OMC, the oiling system on the other motor fouled up and quit working. Thankfully there was 50-1 in the tank for break in. I gave up on the VRO at that point, it alarmed when idling up to the dock after better than 6 hours running without consuming a drop of oil! I've used pre-mix on every motor since. Never another problem with those motors, I believe that aggressive porting must have been very efficient....they really performed and the pair used 15 gph at 4000 rpm with 17p SSTII's. Those 97' model loopers I had ran no where near the early model motors.

Yep, the 85-87 had the small 3.5" bore in them and the porting was pretty aggressive in the intake, but they had a BIG exhaust that was VERY efficient at cruise and up. The early motors were a bit doggy off idle and the 85 was pretty dead until 3600, but once the R's were up they would RUN. Another BIG issue with the early engines was the carbs and the fact that it was a completely new design for outboards, let alone new for OMC in general. The plastic carbs with aluminum bases became standard after that on loopers, but up until 85 it was brand new and not really tested much. Once you get the jetting down though they are GOOD on fuel and perform pretty good. And it seems like ALL of these loopers like a little different jetting once broke in.