Facts about Evinrude/Johnson racing outboards made my OMC

**mabw** · 11-13-2017, 08:55 PM

Lars, thanks! That is a really great picture!!!! Hope you lots more like that to share! Wonder where all these beautiful engines went too!
regards
Mark[

QUOTE=lars strom;3001128]Thanks mabw,

Well the 6 inch mid section was possible because at the same time OMC developed the fuel injection. (1985)
A carb powerhead was not possible to use on the 6 inch mid section, but you could change the carb powerhead to fuel injection.
If you look close at this picture you can see there is not enough space for a carb powerhead. (Lower part of the front)
Thanks for asking.
PS..You can also see pretty good at this picture how short the 6 inch mid section is..(light grey casting)

[/QUOTE]

**Instigator** · 11-14-2017, 07:41 AM

Yep.
Best shot I've seen of an F-1 V-8.

Who knew, all this time, that Lars was the keeper of secretes.

Originally Posted by mabw

Lars, thanks! That is a really great picture!!!! Hope you lots more like that to share! Wonder where all these beautiful engines went too!
regards
Mark[

QUOTE=lars strom;3001128]Thanks mabw,

Well the 6 inch mid section was possible because at the same time OMC developed the fuel injection. (1985)
A carb powerhead was not possible to use on the 6 inch mid section, but you could change the carb powerhead to fuel injection.
If you look close at this picture you can see there is not enough space for a carb powerhead. (Lower part of the front)
Thanks for asking.
PS..You can also see pretty good at this picture how short the 6 inch mid section is..(light grey casting)

[/QUOTE]

**powerabout** · 11-14-2017, 08:32 AM

I thought the 6" and efi came almost at the same time as the 3.0 ltr limit on OZ and the EFI ( and the twin plug heads)was to try to get the horsepower back?
I think there is a post on this thread of an interview with GG saying this?

**lars strom** · 11-14-2017, 08:39 AM

No powerabout,
The 6 inch mid section with fuel injection came out 1985 when Pro One was running the F1-V8 series. The sleeved down 3 liter model came out 1988.
Some of the first 6 inch mid sections was recalled..casting problems and they broke off..!!
In the Stockholm GP 1985 Barry Woods lost his engine in the pit turn..his EFI brain ended flying in to the pit..

We dived for the engine the day after and took it to my Evinrude dealership.

**lars strom** · 11-14-2017, 08:54 AM

Bertil Wik broke his 6 inch mid section and lost control of his #12 Hodges/Evinrude V8 with fuel injection. He run over a rescue boat and it was a really close call for Bertil and the people on board the rescue boat.

**lars strom** · 11-14-2017, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by lars strom

Thanks mabw,

Well the 6 inch mid section was possible because at the same time OMC developed the fuel injection. (1985)
A carb powerhead was not possible to use on the 6 inch mid section, but you could change the carb powerhead to fuel injection.
If you look close at this picture you can see there is not enough space for a carb powerhead. (Lower part of the front)
Thanks for asking.
PS..You can also see pretty good at this picture how short the 6 inch mid section is..(light grey casting)

This picture show the new replaced 6 inch mid section with stronger material and a better casting.
Every 6 inch mid section was replaced to the new stronger/better one during the later part of th 1985 F1-V8 season.
(All cost on OMC)

**lars strom** · 11-14-2017, 09:31 AM

Here is the F1-V8 powerhead timeline for tunnel boat racing. Part 1

This is the first style F1-V8 powerhead 3.5 liter, looper carb model released 1981 and we raced up to the end of 1983.
A "flat exhaust manifold" was used.

**lars strom** · 11-14-2017, 09:59 AM

After the 1983 season all drivers shipped the F1-V8 3.5 liter powerheads to OMC and following update was done.
A new better/smoother exhaust manifold was installed, new stronger connecting rod screws and an optional more aerodynamic engine cowling was available.

**FMP** · 11-14-2017, 10:03 AM

Inside pic of that manifold and chest???

**lars strom** · 11-14-2017, 10:05 AM

This new engine was releasted 1985. Still 3.5 liter.

Originally Posted by lars strom

Very sexy Evinrude F1-V8 and you must love the World Champion text/info.
The 3.5 liter 2 stroke V8 looper, fuel injection with six inch mid section was available for UIM/APBA F1 racing over 32 years ago. Still the fastest and most loved racing outboard ever.

**lars strom** · 11-14-2017, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by FMP

Inside pic of that manifold and chest???

Every Evinrude/Johnson and OMC Racing pictures I have and know about is going to end up on this thread. Just give me some time.
Again thanks for checking in here.

**Instigator** · 11-14-2017, 12:26 PM

Was one just on eBay.

Originally Posted by lars strom

Every Evinrude/Johnson and OMC Racing pictures I have and know about is going to end up on this thread. Just give me some time.
Again thanks for checking in here.

**lars strom** · 11-14-2017, 01:03 PM

From 1985 up to the end of the 1987 season the basic F1-V8 3.5 liter, looper with fuel injection was the same for racing.
Yes, OMC and Second Effort tested many different thing to be ready if Merc came back with a new T4/T5..
Twin spark plugs cylinder heads and different types of fuel injections. There was also larger bores V8 tested but OMC was promising all the race teams that everybody raced similar stuff race day.
Other small changes was the CFI box was moved to the rear of the exhaust manifold instead of the top.
The newer exhaust castings did have "ears" for that.

**lars strom** · 11-14-2017, 04:31 PM

Flying to Lake of the Ozarks tomorrow morning and staying for a week.
Martin Metal is building our LOTO hang out “man cave” starting Thursday. Hopefully the weather will cooperate..

**powerabout** · 11-14-2017, 06:57 PM

You can see in the photo 1246 posted the mid included the housing over the swivel pin hence the up down hoses in it.
Later version the swivel housing is steel and bolts to the mid, much stronger
Thats the only photo of the original mid i have seen.
I guess omc swapped them all out?
So 1988 first 3.0
Thanks Lars