johnson 225 good or bad ??

[laserracer6]

hi guys im lookin at buying a new boat a 1986 haines hunter 1800s kevlar hull and its got a 1986 johnson 225 on it. being a merc guy, what can i expect from the johnson ,any good points or bad points would be much appreciated :)

[INXS]

hi guys im lookin at buying a new boat a 1986 haines hunter 1800s kevlar hull and its got a 1986 johnson 225 on it. being a merc guy, what can i expect from the johnson ,any good points or bad points would be much appreciated :)

I just put 2.7 heads on my 88 225 and rejetted. I think 86 + 88 motors are the same, check anyway. But I can tell you that the motor really kicks butt now! Oh, I put on Bosen reeds and the motor purrs at idle now. I've been told these motors can be modified up to 300 ponies!

[laserracer6]

thanks inxs sounds good so far has it been reliable ??

[INXS]

thanks inxs sounds good so far has it been reliable ??

Very, my mech loves those motors. EZ to work on and they hold up as long as you keep them below 6500 rpms. Racer is the guy that for a few thou, 3 or 4K I think, can give you a at least 300hp from your looper and it will be balanced out and spected out better then a factor motor. He's the one to get your plans and or work from. He has a great bit of info that he can mail you that explains a lot about factory, stock, vrs modfied motors.

[laserracer6]

thanks buddy it sounds like it might be the go, now i know the motor will be sweet ,and i know the hulls are good ,but ive never owned a kevlar hull
dont suppose you know the ins and outs of kevlar ?

[bigbore]

That'd be 1 thing to keep in mind,looper is what ya want.i'd be willing to bet thats a crossflow.

[TXOBTECH]

Hay laser, you should be ok, the looper came out late 84 to 85. But it is a small bore, the big bore was not untill 88. take care

[laserracer6]

so did the 225 johnsons come out in a small bore and a big bore how can i tell the difference i know its a 1986

[TXOBTECH]

85 to 87 were small bore(3 1/2") 88 to 92 big bore(3.685) 93 to 03 were big bore and fingerported, sounds like you got it going tho !

[StratosVT]

so did the 225 johnsons come out in a small bore and a big bore how can i tell the difference i know its a 1986

I don't know if that is the same block or not but I had a 1986 Johnson 200GT and it was a bridgeport block. It was a 2.7 Liter motor vs the 3.0 liter motors that I believe came out in 1987. A lot of guys like to hotrod the 2.7 motors and they're good strong engines so I wouldn't say that the later 3.0 liter is better. Both are good motors.

[INXS]

Only bad thing I've heard is that the aluminum they used on the blocks for certain yrs wasn't as good as others? Anyway, when I had my heads off I found I've got two small eroded areas. the mechanic said I amy get anywere from 1-5 years out of the block. So in the mean time, since everything else on the motor is in great shape, I'll just look for a good used block so I can switch them in the off season. And when I do switch them I'll look into rounding a little off the pistons, I think thats the term, and or maybe getting some porting done. From what I've heard I think that some mild mods can give me 275 hp and still have dependability. I would go to 300 hp if I wanted but it's not needed, the upper 70s would be enough for my Checkmate.

[Instigator]

first yrs of the V-6's were 86/87 which were only 2.7 liter.
went to 3.0 in '88

The good is the 2.7 had bridged exhaust ports and sleeves thick enough that you can bore to 3.0 specs.

Also your motor, if orig. has the good rods, best intakes, best heads and maybe big bore carbs.

The bad is that they are not finger ported (not till '93) and it is about $1500, just for machine work to add the fingers and open to 3.0 specs.
Also the trim is as slow as the 7 yr itch.

[laserracer6]

what can i say, you guys are great thanks for all the help and info this kiwi boy appreciates it awhole lot :) :) :)
cheers dave

[laserracer6]

hi buddy ,you say the trim is really slow can you do the 24 volt thing to speed it up, or change to later model trim ???

[jphii]

You can do 24v no prob. That's what I have done.

[laserracer6]

thanks jphii i will keep it in mind ,going to look at his boat tonight
can you still get parts for these motors in the states all right ??
i remember years ago i owned a johnson 140 and it leaned out and fried
a piston ,i remember way back then this is in new zealand mind you for the price of a piston ring set i could have brought a full rebuild kit for a 350 chev thats pistons rings gaskets and any machineing, the parts were stupidly expensive.
cheers dave

[Instigator]

hi buddy ,you say the trim is really slow can you do the 24 volt thing to speed it up, or change to later model trim ???
that will cure it

to update to new style trim you would have to replace mid section/clamp bracket

[jphii]

You can get parts no problem. Cheap too.

[laserracer6]

thanks guys cheers for the help .if theres ever anything you guys want that maybe i can get for you over here just ask
thanks dave