Aftermarket Reeds for OMC V6

**ChrisCarsonMarine** · 02-03-2019, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by Gorilla0178

Ok. Due to running issues I've pulled all the carbs off and took the reed plate off. The reeds are steel. Gonna rebuild the carbs. Should I change reeds? I was told they were boyeson reeds.

If the reeds are steel they are original...not mine or boyesens...Chris

**Merc 2.5** · 02-03-2019, 04:54 PM

As Chris said , steel is stock, nothin wrong with steel but if one chips or breaks will ruin a engine, chris reeds give great idle quality and will last! If and if one happens to break mota will chew it up and spit it out. Gonna b ur call for what reed u want. Also. 9 out 10 times if a reed of chris does break his customer service is 2nd to none, food for thought

**Gorilla0178** · 02-03-2019, 05:45 PM

Im gonna swap them for sure. They all look good except one has the finish coming off of the back side. So advice on swapping them is appreciated. Im replacing all the gaskets and needle valve parts. The Jets are 66 and 35 on all 6, so any advice there is appreciated too.

**Merc 2.5** · 02-03-2019, 06:08 PM

Jetting normly isnt changed but I do believe boyseens say to re jet??? If so it will give instructions with reeds

**Gorilla0178** · 02-03-2019, 06:27 PM

Ok. Im gonna pop the heads off to and have a look. I was told this motor has aftermarket pistons and reeds. It doesnt have aftermarket reeds so im not sure about piston. I have a 225 ocean pro that im seriously thinking of swapping out to. It's in rough shape outside but supposedly runs and is super clean inside. And its all stock and matching parts.

**SS Minnow** · 02-03-2019, 07:36 PM

Originally Posted by Gorilla0178

Ok. Im gonna pop the heads off to and have a look. I was told this motor has aftermarket pistons and reeds. It doesnt have aftermarket reeds so im not sure about piston. I have a 225 ocean pro that im seriously thinking of swapping out to. It's in rough shape outside but supposedly runs and is super clean inside. And its all stock and matching parts.

It could have non-original reeds in it. Maybe they were just replaced with OEM.

**Captaincj** · 02-04-2019, 02:17 PM

I need to replace the reeds in my 87 Evinrude 200 Looper. Supposed to be boysen reeds in there now. I read one of the previous posts that sound like the factory stops might not be there anymore since it now has boysen reeds.

Does that limit me with which brand I can replace them with? Was thinking Carson or the TDR that Jay likes.

Carson, would I need anything additional to use your reeds? I will be replacing them in the next 2-4 weeks.

Christopher Johnson

**Jay Smith** · 02-04-2019, 02:23 PM

No stops needed with the TDR’s fer sure , thanks for the pm !!

Jay

**Captaincj** · 02-04-2019, 02:26 PM

Dang, just sent you another one but you just answered my question...

I'm going to take it apart before I order them because the motors had soo much custom work and high performance part upgrades I want to see exactly what's there.

I know the carbs are off a 300V8 so I want make sure nothing else has been changed underneath.

Christopher Johnson

**ChrisCarsonMarine** · 02-04-2019, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by Captaincj

I need to replace the reeds in my 87 Evinrude 200 Looper. Supposed to be boysen reeds in there now. I read one of the previous posts that sound like the factory stops might not be there anymore since it now has boysen reeds.

Does that limit me with which brand I can replace them with? Was thinking Carson or the TDR that Jay likes.

Carson, would I need anything additional to use your reeds? I will be replacing them in the next 2-4 weeks.

Christopher Johnson

Chris,different motors have different reed angles and the crankcases differ in many cases.While a reed stop is not necessary in a 2.5 merc (Never had a stop) due to the straight shot into the crankcase, OMC used single stage reeds with stops to prevent them from contacting the crankcase on the upper port side reeds which are quite close.The stops support the hinge point on the reed,extending their life,and also are good for a little crankcase stuffing.
The boyesens you're replacing are over 050 thick,and are stiff enough to not need stops,and in fact are so thick that I don't think the stops would fit,in many cases they wont.
Out reeds are single stage,and after lots of testing we are of the strong opinion the stops should be used in the loopers,and in fact most motors that were fitted with them from the factory.
Find the stops,My opinion.
Jay,you may have deleted the wrong post...I'm confident you are an expert in your arena,the 2.5 Merc,but you might not have the best advice for all the other makes in the industry,as you stated earlier.As to oil ratios in a stock fishing motor,too much of a good thing is not always great,and motors have been getting by on 50:1 for 55 years now...and oil keeps getting better,Peace,Chris

**Merc 2.5** · 02-04-2019, 05:25 PM

Chris. Quick question, did the 4 pedal 2.5 not come with Reed stops? My 4 pedal has stops , should I get rid of em?

**Jay Smith** · 02-04-2019, 05:54 PM

Yes your 4 petal motor came with reed stops , just assembled one today !

Shalom ,
Jay

**ChrisCarsonMarine** · 02-05-2019, 06:30 AM

Originally Posted by Merc 2.5

Chris. Quick question, did the 4 pedal 2.5 not come with Reed stops? My 4 pedal has stops , should I get rid of em?

Yes,the 4 petal reed uses stops,and I recommend you leave them intact.Not only do they protect the hinge point on the reed and keep it from over-opening,they add as much crankcase stuffing as milling the front half of the crankcase 060.
Think on this,,,If you are running down your hall and knock your screen door open it will likely open much wider than it needed to to let you out...now it has further(distance/time) to close than if it had a limiter on it stopping it from opening more than needed.Reed stops work in very much the same way,open enough and close quickly,Chris

**Gorilla0178** · 02-05-2019, 06:47 PM

Ok. Got my CCMS reeds today. I took one cage apart and replaced the reeds. I lapped the cages a little, they have been lapped previously. I just lightly did them. I noticed that they aren't completely shut. The steel ones were tight, these are the slightest bit open. Not much at all. Not even enough to take a pic of. Is that normal? The steel ones were sprung shut these aren't.