Facts about Evinrude/Johnson racing outboards made my OMC

[Mark75H]

Who was first to develop hydraulic up / down adjustment? I think it was OMC? I know they had it on the V8 mids but I can't remember if the V4 and V6 mids did as well? Was the V8 mid section re-used for the SST100 engine program? I think when OMCs V8 race engine reached its peak in 1985 it was not long after that when Merc came up with their "new" hydraulic up/down mid section. I never understood Merc's "studs down" decision either? Those V8 steering arms were not cheap to make either..... with 2 pressed bends in each.

The Merc up/down mid came out in 73 just after they saw it on the OMC's. I think Jimbo and Mr Bill both said they rarely used it underway.

[lars strom]

The correct answer is OMC was first with up & down.
Johnny Sanders won Havasu 1972 with a Stinger GP with up & down.

[lars strom]

Up & Down was also on the Evinrude CC when it came out 1976.
Yes, I used the up & down. Very helpful in longer marathon type races.

[lars strom]

[powerabout]

Back in 1983 there was a problem with the connecting rods screws. I remember OMC made extra strong screws and installed in my powerhead.
Later same year (in I think the Lyon, France) race the rod came out and destroyed my block crank etc. I was told by OMC my new powerhead was using updated rods but not sure.
This is the rods from the block above..but cant tell if that is the older or newer rods.

light rods with new bolts
note they use v4 crank and pin bearings
Large rods are huge, the bolts have 7/16 heads on them. I will try to get a photo
Both rod styles are not cracked, just machined and no dowl
Same length as production looper ( not measured but they look the same)
Crank looks the same just shorter stroke.
Balancer is the same but didnt use the viton rubber of the production engine
Production dyno tested them to 9500rpm with the late rods before shipping to check the charge coil voltage.

[FMP]

Degree spacing between #1&5? If at TDC spacing looks inline with fishing crank pic, under 45°.

Like to see fishing and F1 cranks. Did the later ex manifold F1 have it's own crank?

[lars strom]

Sorry but I dont remember or have the correct answer to your questions.
I know for sure the racing crankshaft was not the same as production. The racing V8 came out 1981..the production V8 1985 and was a completely different powerhead.
I wish there was a picture of the racing crank. A friend of mine in Sweden is the owner of my first F1-V8 engine and he need a crank. Cant find one.
I am pretty sure when the redesigned racing V8 came out 1985 with the 6 inch mid section and fuel injection the block, pistons, rods, crank, exhaust etc. was more or less the same as the 1984 racing V8. The fuel injection was a must to fit the powerhead on the 6 inch mid section. We the drivers never worked on the powerheads..It was always OMC or later Second Effort.
This is the 3.5 liter powerhead used 1985

1988 was the year when OMC sleeved down the 3.5 liter to 3.0 liter. Lots of rumors what was done and how many RPM they run them.
I was not involved at all and dont have correct info. Well one thing..I dont believe some people saying the run them all the way up to 15.000 RPM..

[FMP]

I understand and great info on the years of the V8.
I've been told of some amazing HP and RPM numbers of those engines and I'll believe it because I see the potential in the right hands. It also makes for a better legend.

[Lake X Kid]

I understand and great info on the years of the V8.
I've been told of some amazing HP and RPM numbers of those engines and I'll believe it because I see the potential in the right hands. It also makes for a better legend.

"When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.

[lars strom]

This is the OMC F-V8 1984 engine. Updated exhaust but still carb and 12 inch mid section
Rick Frost in London GP
(My powerhead was exactly the same 1984)

[lars strom]

Racing in New Zealand this weekend.

Thanks Tim Fellows.

[FMP]

"When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.

Great movie, slippin around in the dinning room scene, steak on the floor.

The Gunfighter, Gregory Peck as Jimmy Ringo is another legend who gets it in the back by a young gunny.

[WaterZebra]

The Merc up/down mid came out in 73 just after they saw it on the OMC's. I think Jimbo and Mr Bill both said they rarely used it underway.

OMC was definitely first for electrically pumped up/down lift. Only thing Merc had in 73 was a manually operated (Socket crank speeder) method. It wasn't until sometime after OMCs V8 program was established that Merc came up with their powered lift system (late 80s).Only time a lift system came in handy was when wind and water conditions warranted dropping the engine a bit for rougher water. To my knowledge, neither the OMC or Merc lift systems had mechanical gauge systems (cable?) that would indicate the lift height (approx 1 inch total?).

[John Schubert]

OMC was definitely first for electrically pumped up/down lift. Only thing Merc had in 73 was a manually operated (Socket crank speeder) method. It wasn't until sometime after OMCs V8 program was established that Merc came up with their powered lift system (late 80s).Only time a lift system came in handy was when wind and water conditions warranted dropping the engine a bit for rougher water. To my knowledge, neither the OMC or Merc lift systems had mechanical gauge systems (cable?) that would indicate the lift height (approx 1 inch total?).

OMC had hydraulic up & down in 1971. I used it all the way up for Lemans starts & adjusted it accordingly off turns to quickly settle down the boat! And we did have a guage that was vertical on the dash to tell where ithe travel was set.

[RogerH]

I want to "quietly" sell the Johnson RS that has been run on the #754 & Gold Dust Molinari (same hull). I asked Lars if he'd mind me posting it here first before resorting to the various classified medias. The motor is very functional, original, and complete. There are items you will see in the pictures that are not factory, that I chose to use for functionality and reliability. I have all of the OEM parts so these items could be replaced if desired. I will NOT respond to questions on this thread, but request that anyone interested to call me at (423) 452 - 0428 (EST) or, my email: tennesseenavy(at)Gmail(dot)com. Thank you for your interest. Regards, Roger Hinsdale