OMC 115 questions all you gurus

[Stinky_Hooker]

As yall know I posted before I wanna upgrade the 18 to a V-6. However, that may be changing as basically my uncle has a Wahoo at my house (been storing it there) with a Johnny 115. It runs good but shows it age on the outside. Faded paint/decals. Under the cowling it looks "ok"..no rusted head bolts and such. He rarely uses it. It has sat for about 2 years and he just used it this past weekend and after fresh fuel and filters she ran like a top.

Long story short he is about to get a settlement and buy a new motor for his boat and that leaves me with getting it for little to NO $$. I know the Force 120 has seen better days...runs great but the head bolts and flywheel are so rusted I hate even looking at them for fear they will evaporate.


I dont know the year on the OMC but will look when I get home. Dont know "looper" or not or how to even tell that sorta stuff.

Had my heart set on a V6 but it wont be for a long time and would be dumb to turn this down if it works out. I also know ther're parts readily available should something go wrong with the OMC and my Force isnt worth working on. Even if I could get it apart without breaking every head/water jacket bolt. Some of them dont even have heads left...they are that bad..LOL


So I was wondering:

how do I tell the year?

what else can I look for to help yall ID it?

And whats the most I could take a 115 to HP wise by changing carbs or whatever? Just a 120? 130? or is the 130 and 140 a different/bigger block or something?

Would it be worth it to even fool with the HP aspect of it or just put a fresh coat of paint on, clean her up and fish!?