high rpm on df140

isudoc03

Cadet
Joined
Jan 28, 2008
Messages
11
I currently have a aluminum prop on my Suzuki four stroke 140 hp. At WOT I am at about 6700 rpms which is too high according to manual. Prop says 3x14x19. I assume that is 14 diameter and 19 pitch. I was thinking I need to switch to a 20 or 21 pitch prop. The props that I find have a diameter of 12-3/4 and 13-1/4. Is the diameter difference going to be a big deal?

thanks
 

Campylobacter

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 4, 2007
Messages
503
Re: high rpm on df140

Your are correct about the pitch needing to be higher, WOT should be below 6200 for that motor. Don't worry about the diameter, it is the pitch that make the most difference.
 

LORDY611

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 17, 2006
Messages
189
Re: high rpm on df140

My recent experience tells me that you may want to verify your actual RPM. Tach could be wrong, and would be less $ to replace than a prop. Just a thought.
 

Irv964

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 3, 2008
Messages
315
Re: high rpm on df140

My recent experience tells me that you may want to verify your actual RPM. Tach could be wrong, and would be less $ to replace than a prop. Just a thought.

I agree, going to a 20 will bring your rpm down to 6500 and a 21 down to 6300, still too high for that motor. Like said above, I would verify your tach first before purchasing another higher pitched prop........Irv964
 

isudoc03

Cadet
Joined
Jan 28, 2008
Messages
11
Re: high rpm on df140

What is the best way to check my tach? Buy another tach and see if it is the same?
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: high rpm on df140

You can start by telling us what the idle RPM is on your current tach. I don't know off hand what the idle rpm is for that specific engine but I suspect it is in the 700 - 800 RPM range. Since the tach is 600 RPM off on the top end (approximately 10%), you might have a 900 RPM idle speed which would be the tip off that the tach is incorrect. Otherwise, you could rent a timing light with a built-in tach. Most have an inductive pickup that you simply clip onto a spark plug wire.
 
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