v20 165 merc inboards vs ouyboards

bksah2 · #1 03-26-2009, 05:19 PM

Seems that many v20s are outboards I seen a few olders ones with the GM 165 inlines in them ,,,are they any good and aran't they underpowered with the 165ss

macojoe · #2 03-26-2009, 09:44 PM

I had a 165 before i converted, and I agree it was under powered! I use to curz in the low 20's and top out if lucky at 30
They measured the power at the motor at that time not at the prop, i have heard that at the prop it was like 115 but not 100% sure on that.

Best thing I ever did was to convert to outboard!!

cfelton · #3 03-27-2009, 04:03 PM

I dont know about the 165s, but the 170hp 4cyl mercruiser I have in mine has plenty of power.

Steplift 72' · #4 03-27-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfelton

I dont know about the 165s, but the 170hp 4cyl mercruiser I have in mine has plenty of power.

I've only had outboard powered V20's myself, but have fished onboard those with both the 165 and 170 MerCruiser. I found that either was adequate for fishing offshore. Nothing compares to the rush of a V-6 2 Stroke trimmed out, but at the gas pump the sterndrives were better and cruised as fast as offshore conditions allow on 95% of the days.

I know what you are talking about, when the seas are glassy calm even 40 knots seems slow. The sterndrive boats idled and cruised quietly all day without a hitch.

I'm an oldtimer and love the simplicity of the Chevy I-6 250 cid engine and have seen their strengths and weaknesses. They will corrode to useless if not fresh water flushed after use. I tried to rebuild a low hour 165 out of a Glastron and when bored .030" over hit the corrosion holes from the water jacket.....a junked block. I have a friend who flushed and maintaned his old 1968 model 160 MerCruiser properly and ran it for over 20 years without major repairs.

garagenc · #5 03-27-2009, 07:51 PM

I have a V inbd 350 cu in and it has planty of power. I can go 40mph+ and cruise all day at 30mph. I have a 60gal tk and average 3.3 mpg.

I also have a V with a 200 optimax and it gets good mpg also, with a lot of top end.

I like both.

macojoe · #6 03-27-2009, 08:12 PM

Yep had 2 heads on my 165 flushed everytime and both rotted out at the #1 plug, junked it the second time.
Freash water cooled is the only way to go and they still have some issues but not as many.

I have had both and I will never go back to I/O Just to much to maintain IMO

cterrebonne · #7 03-27-2009, 09:15 PM

if a v-20 were a car i would say run the 165. IMO the only good use an outdrive has is set up with a diesel via jack shaft on descent size to large offshore hull.