1972 V20 getting a Suzuki 150?!?!

LakeMiV20 · #1 06-15-2015, 07:02 PM

Hi guys...I managed to smoke my 1992 225 Johnson salty by clogging the intakes with weeds in the pre dawn hours fishing. I felt horrible about it until I found my current 280 GW Marlin to fish with. Im putting the V20 back together and found a low hour, (less than 50) 150 Suzuki 20" shaft for a phenomenal deal. Should be plenty of power, but my question is whether to bracket the 20" motor or change out the lower unit to a 25". I got such a good deal on the motor the extra money for the lower unit isn't hurting my feelings, but I have heard good things about running a bracketed motor from a performance stand point. I welcome your opinions; feel free to ridicule me for the blown head gaskets as I deserve that too. 225 Johnny for sale too....

bgreene · #2 06-15-2015, 07:41 PM

Check for corrosion with those Zukes..........

macojoe · #3 06-15-2015, 08:37 PM

Easy way is to add the 25" lower, lots of work for a b racket unless you needed a transom, or were converting from i/o

Destroyer · #4 06-15-2015, 09:20 PM

Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that the 72' had a 20" transom. My 78' does so I'm thinking that the motor should fit without any alterations. As to the corrosion issue, ... Since LakeV20 lives by a fresh water lake in the middle of the country there's not a lot of salt around. Assuming that motor is from that area it's probably a freshwater engine and is pristine inside. Never hurts to look, but my guess is that corrosion isn't going to be an issue with it.

THEFERMANATOR · #5 06-15-2015, 09:35 PM

Measure your current transom and see what it is. Not all V-20's had 25" transom. Most of the early ones only had 20"s since that was all that was available back then, but by now many hulls have had the transoms redone. And if you have a 25" transom, you can always cut it down to a 20".

Kracker Jack · #6 06-15-2015, 10:01 PM

The problem with 20" motors and brackets is that you will swamp the motor everytime when you come off plane. If your in lakes and not open water then slap the 20" motor on your transom(if its a 20" transom) and rock and roll!

LakeMiV20 · #7 06-16-2015, 08:53 AM

Thanks for the replies so far. My gut tells me the transom has been redone before I owned the boat because I measured it last night from the top edge to the "V" at the bottom of the hull and got 27". The 225 Johnny on it now is a 30" motor. I like the idea of opening the transom to accept the 20", however on Lake MI when we have fished this boat previously we did experience water over the transom a little bit, especially coming off plane. I am not sure however if this was because of the weight of the 225 on the back or just something inherent with this boat? There are scuppers in the motor well so water over the transom is not a concern to much I don't think...you guys are the experts here.

bradford · #8 06-16-2015, 11:37 AM

I would try to find the appropriate sized leg for the engine. You'll be happier in the long run vs going cheap now.

smokeonthewater · #9 06-16-2015, 01:31 PM

If it's really really cheap then I say pass it up and pass the smokin deal along to someone w a 20" transom...... I just cleaned out my inbox too!!! Lol

Seriously the easiest way would be to cut the transom and the splash well is there for a reason BUT I'm just not sure I could bring myself to do it.

How good of a deal IS it.... Is it really worth swapping lowers or cutting the transom?

LakeMiV20 · #10 06-16-2015, 02:14 PM

Because I know everyone is curious and this may help you help me to determine if its a good deal or not considering what I am looking to do...06 DF150 with 0 hours, paying a little less than $5000. Was bought in 08 to do a repower and was never installed on the boat. Includes the prop but no controls. Option 2 is $2000 for a new power head for the Johnny and put my 20HP Yamaha 4-stoke with 25 hrs on it as a kicker to fish with, option 3 is find a 25" or 30" motor, preferably 4-stroke, then I could sell the kicker and be $2500 ahead.