Facts about Evinrude/Johnson racing outboards made my OMC

[lars strom]

Mike Butler
Top contributor

Bob Degriener, Harold Nauss, Terry and Nancy Leatherby.

[lars strom]

Mike Butler
Top contributor

Mike Wallace.

(#77 Schulze/Evinrude Starflight SS)

[lars strom]

Jack Aylsworth
Group expert - Top contributor

1968 – THE BEGINNING OF OMC’s LEGENDARY LOOPERS

Billed as America’s first looped charged, multi-cylinder outboards - and the most potent motors in the mid-horsepower range - OMC’s revolutionary loopers produced more power per-cubic-inch with less fuel consumption. Over a 33-year period, the 2 & 3-cylinder loopers became two of OMC’s longest running and most profitable models.
A Wide Range of Models – From Pleasure Boats, to Racing, to Military, to Commercial - The 55hp 3-cylinder was launched in 1968. In 1971, a 2-cylinder, 50hp looper joined the 3-cylinder looper which had increased to 60hp in 1970. Continuing power increases for the 3-cylinder model followed with 65hp in 1972, then 70 hp in 1974. Also in 1974, both brands targeted performance boating with specially styled and named loopers – the 70hp Evinrude Hustler and Johnson Stinger. (The Stinger is best remembered for its striking orange paint job.) Evinrude extended their performance offerings with a 2-cylinder 50hp Sizzler. Looped horsepower jumped again in 1976 when Evinrude introduced the 75-S and 55-S Sport models and Johnson debuted the 75hp Stinger and a 55hp 2-cylinder. While the 3-cylinder motors peaked at 75hp, the 2-cylinder line-up would expand to 50, 55 & 60 horsepower models by 1980. (See the ads for additional tech info.)
THE “RED HOT” STINGER– Launched as a “1972 Limited Edition” model - just in case screaming orange was too daring - the 65hp Stinger was an instant hit. The 1972 / 1973 model, shared identical mechanicals with the standard 49.7 cu. in. Johnson 65 looper producing its BIA certified horsepower at 5000 rpm.
Playing off that initial success, an upgraded 70hp Stinger followed in 1974 with a massive ‘70’ on its flanks. Its additional 5 horses were credited to refined tuning and improved carburetion. Doubling down on performance, horsepower increased again in 1975, now to 75. Again, festooned with a bold horsepower ID on its sides announcing its presence. Those extra 5 horses came from new exhaust ports, a redesigned combustion chamber and a new, low restriction air-intake silencer with a BIA certified 75hp rating at 5500 rpm. A high-compression cylinder head was optional.
RACING LOOPERS – The Evinrude CC & Johnson SR were 49.7-cubic inch, triple cylinder race engines based on the 75-hp Johnson Stinger & Evinrude Hustler block. These racing loopers are likely best remembered as pure factory-available, race-ready outboards. Both the 2 & 3-cylinder loopers competed in various stock production classes and race-tuned classes over the years, winning consistently. In addition, stock production motors with 15-inch lower units and high-speed Nitro gear cases also took top honors.
MILITARY LOOPER - The 2002 US Navy Seal Enforcer 2-cylinder, 55hp submersible outboard. Designed specifically for beach landings and to be submersible with a de-watering system that could drain water from the engine, should it be intentionally or accidentally submerged. The outboard lower unit was an enclosed pump-jet system preferred by Special Forces to avoid inadvertent injury to divers in the water.
COMMERCIAL LOOPERS – Starting with the 2-cylinder, 50hp, rope start, tiller model in 1979, these motors became highly regarded as tough and reliable working outboards around the globe, usually in remote rural locations. Over the years, 55hp, 60hp & 65hp models were added. Commercial loopers were detuned versions of the standard motors to utilize low octane, poor quality, fuel often found in 3rd world countries. They had extensive anti-corrosion coating in critical areas and more stainless steel fasteners than the regular production engines. The water pumps used a chrome-plated aluminum pump housing for longer life in muddy or sandy waters.
Notably, Johnson commercial outboards were dominant in several countries including South and Central America. In many places there, an outboard was referred to as a “Johnson” – no matter the actual brand. In fact, someone who ran an outboard was known as a “Johnson operator.”

[lars strom]

…

[lars strom]

42 Phil Wasssll Burgess/Johnson RS
UIM OE
Bristol GP 1980.

[lars strom]

Ross Willaton
Top contributor

Winning my class 1977 Cowra 250 Enduro (4hrs10mins).

[powerabout]

Need bores bigger than a 56'er to get 1000cc out of one of those

[lars strom]

Derrick Issitt Sealink Stena Line UIM F3
Nottingham UK.

[lars strom]

Jack Aylsworth
Group expert - Top contributor

Johnson Stinger - THE MEAN MACHINE

The first ‘hot orange’ Stinger 65 was introduced in 1972 on NBC’s splashy national TV special “Discover Wet” hosted by Johnny Carson’s sidekick Ed McMahon at Cypress Gardens. By the early 1970’s, Johnson styling had become a bit conservative - and certainly not flashy!, So the introduction of a screaming orange outboard was quite jarring...if not daring from a marketing standpoint. Launched as a “1972 Limited Edition” model - just in case screaming orange was “too daring” - the 65hp Stinger was an instant hit. The 1972 / 1973 model, shared identical mechanicals with the standard 49.7 cu. in. Johnson 65 looper producing its BIA certified horsepower at 5000 rpm.
Playing off that initial success, an upgraded 70hp Stinger followed in 1974 with a massive ‘70’ horsepower ID on its flanks. Its additional 5 horses were credited to refined tuning and improved carburetion. Doubling down on performance, horsepower increased again in 1975, now to 75. Again, festooned with a bold horsepower ID on its sides announcing its presence. Those extra 5 horses came from new exhaust ports, a redesigned combustion chamber and a new, low restriction air-intake silencer with a BIA certified 75hp rating at 5500 rpm. A high-compression cylinder head was optional.

[WaterZebra]

Jack Aylsworth
Group expert - Top contributor

Johnson Stinger - THE MEAN MACHINE

The first ‘hot orange’ Stinger 65 was introduced in 1972 on NBC’s splashy national TV special “Discover Wet” hosted by Johnny Carson’s sidekick Ed McMahon at Cypress Gardens. By the early 1970’s, Johnson styling had become a bit conservative - and certainly not flashy!, So the introduction of a screaming orange outboard was quite jarring...if not daring from a marketing standpoint. Launched as a “1972 Limited Edition” model - just in case screaming orange was “too daring” - the 65hp Stinger was an instant hit. The 1972 / 1973 model, shared identical mechanicals with the standard 49.7 cu. in. Johnson 65 looper producing its BIA certified horsepower at 5000 rpm.
Playing off that initial success, an upgraded 70hp Stinger followed in 1974 with a massive ‘70’ horsepower ID on its flanks. Its additional 5 horses were credited to refined tuning and improved carburetion. Doubling down on performance, horsepower increased again in 1975, now to 75. Again, festooned with a bold horsepower ID on its sides announcing its presence. Those extra 5 horses came from new exhaust ports, a redesigned combustion chamber and a new, low restriction air-intake silencer with a BIA certified 75hp rating at 5500 rpm. A high-compression cylinder head was optional.

What was the equivalent for Evinrude? Hustler? I don't recall the Evinrude having a shouting paint job? The orange paint made its way to the V4 Stinger as well. Stopped short of being used on the V6 RS. Too bad.

[oldschoolltv]

Lost my dad last week, I made a nice slideshow and found some great pictures.

[oldschoolltv]

A few of them.

[lars strom]

Lost my dad last week, I made a nice slideshow and found some great pictures.

So sorry for your dad..There is an older post on my OMC FaceBook page with lots of picture of your dad.
Not sure if this link works.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/YS2pHmhvScapN6yv/

[lars strom]

@WaterZebra

[2us70]

[QUOT Sorry to hear about your Dad. Had a few good races with him. E=oldschoolltv;3434238]Lost my dad last week, I made a nice slideshow and found some great pictures.[/QUOTE]