just picked up my first v-20

[Airslot]

Sounds like ya done good. RAP is right in asking about enclosure being up or down as far as speed and RPM's. Only bad spot on the yam to check would be the shift shaft. The other guys on here can guide you through that one, as I've not owned a Yam at this point.

Airslot

[brianmccaw]

that was traveling with the enclosure off,50 gallons of gas, motor trimmed way up and 2 adults. on the prop which is stainless it says 19m. does that mean its a 19 pitch?

[Airslot]

Sounds about right to me. If I were wanting to change anything, I'd try a 17p prop on her, but I think your doing just fine. ;)

Airslot

[Geekie1]

Early Yamahas (115, 130, 150, 175, 200) from 1984 up to 1993 had steel shift shafts and if used in salt water would corrode and break. The shafts run vertically from the power head down to the lower unit. The 1994 shift shafts were stainless steel and will not corrode in salt water. (Hence "Saltwater Series") On the 150, 175, 200, the early steel shift shafts were replaceable with the 1994 stainless steel shift shafts. A new stainless steel shaft will cost about $70 but to replace them is a real PITA!! It requires pulling the power head. (Broken bolts!!!) Also, the leg length (20" vs 25") is the difference in part #'s and not the horsepower. The part #'s for 150, 175, and 200 are as follows:

20" - Stainless Steel - 6E5-44120-03-00 (1994 PN)
25" - Stainless Steel - 6E5-44120-23-00 (1994 PN)


You will know if you have a steel shift shaft if:

1. - It becomes difficult to shift because the shaft becomes thin from corrosion and torques (twists) making it hard to get in gear.

2. - It breaks, no shift.

3. - When you pull the lower unit to do a water pump rebuild and discover a pile of loose corrosion laying on top of the lower unit male shift spline that the corroded female shift shaft goes into. Sounds kinda perverted but I just guess thats just me!!!

4. - I don't know of a definite way to determine if the shaft is steel or stainless steel by looking at it at the lever end at the power head. It looks the same to me. I discovered my steel shaft by item 3 above.

I hope this helps!!

[brianmccaw]

thanks so much for the info answered every question i could have asked. will ask my mechanic to check it out asap. thanks alot

[Geekie1]

Brian, These engines are great old beasts. Simple, no computers. Not particularly economical, but what big outboard is!! The shift shaft material problem is the only design flaw I know of. The only thing that seems to be a killer of any outboard motor is salt water corrosion and a lack of regular maintenance which causes death for sure. Beware of some Yamaha service techs! There is alot of incompetance out there. This shift shaft problem has caused alot of very expensive alledged lower unit rebuilds that were really just shift shaft replacements. Best of luck with your V20. They are great boats!!!

[Blue_Runner]

I agree, numbers sounds pretty darn good. *

Welcome to the site! These guys can answer any question you will ever have! Guaranteed.

(But I can't guarantee you'll get the right answer ;D)

[macojoe]

before 1994 they were all steel shift shaft and roted just below the space at the lower unit. were you can't see them!

I noticed mine going when the shifter was out of adjustment. fixed and it went out again, after the third adjustment it was broke right at the ramp.

You have to remove the power head to replace this is the only way!!

1994 and up they replaced the shift shaft with a SS one and there is no more problems.

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Another thing, the guy I got my Yamaha told me to always run a 50:1 mix the first tank in the spring, this is for two reasons.
1-- is it will lube up real good after the long winter

2-- It will give you a chance to make sure that your oil pump is working!! Some get gumed up or what ever after sitting for a while.

This spring was the first time I did not listen to that advice!! The results the motor blew a piston!! After careful inspection and a lot of advice from this board and others, It seems that the oil pump was indeed the thing that let go. I went to take it off the motor and it fell apart!