Re: Aprox prop size/pitch for 73' 85hp Johnson
I had that exact engine on a 18' Starcraft. That engine, that year, is one of my favorites. The 85 is bulletproof-in my eyes.
13 1/4' X 17" is a great place to start.
That engine can take more lugging than most V-4's.
If you can get it to run 5500, with a light load, you're dialed in.
Mine ran at 5450-WOT- and would outpull, outrun almost every six cylinder MERC., on the lake.
The "outpull" was a no brainer. Everyone waned to ski behind the Johnny.
She outpulled Merc. 950's, 1150's..
She ran her guts out keeping with (not passed) by Merc. 1250's and 1350's.
Treat that '85' well and she'll run for decades.
Treat her to:
1. New plugs-CHAMPION ONLY!
2. A little Sea Foam (NAPA).
3. A new water pump.
That was truly one of the best engines OMC ever produced.
It was 'different". It was a 96.9" cid as opposed to the latter 99.6" cid-blocks of 90/115/140 fame..
