Engine swap (repower)

[ddbyrd3]

I have a 1980 Glastron with a 140hp V4 Johnson OB. I was wondering if I could repower my boat with a 1987 150HP VRO V6 Johnson motor, (VRO is disconnected)using the same harness, etc.<br /><br />I need more torque out of the hole for skiing.. the 140hp just doesnt cut it..<br />

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Engine swap (repower)

Hmmm....there might be a cheaper solution. What Glastron do you have?

 

[DJ]

Re: Engine swap (repower)

Horsepower may not be the answer here.<br /><br />The V-4 is a torque monster.<br /><br />What prop are you running?<br /><br />If it can't reach its top RPM (5500+), you're overpropped.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Engine swap (repower)

Its a direct swap assuming the 140 is a 1980 like the boat. <br /><br />Set up properly, for skiing, that 140 (if healthy) should jerk 2 skiiers up easily.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Engine swap (repower)

Oh -- and Welcome aboard!!

 

[DJ]

Re: Engine swap (repower)

Dhadley,<br /><br />Only two?<br /><br />I've pulled many more with an old '73'-85. And, that with an old 13-1/4"X 17" SST. <br /><br />It outpulled EVERY Merc. on the lake.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Engine swap (repower)

I remember back in the 60's my Dad pulled six teenaged skiers behind his 16' Glaspar with a 1959 Fat Fifty. Buncha skinny kids, of course, and it took a while to get us all up on top, but he did it.<br /><br />He's still got that boat, and that Fat Fifty, and is still using it at age 80. In fact, he's going salmon fishing off Oxnard this weekend in it.<br /><br />Fond memories of that boat...

 

[DJ]

Re: Engine swap (repower)

CATransplant,<br /><br />God Bless him and the "fifty". What monsters those were. Just about indestuctable.<br /><br />I have the same memories.

 

[ddbyrd3]

Re: Engine swap (repower)

Quick responces!!!!<br /><br />The V4 I had rebuilt in 01 due to one of the pistons came apart.. Before that happened it ran like a bat out of He77....<br /><br />Since the rebuild it hasnt been the same.. new version (low compression) pistons top ring land something or otherchanged.. Now it is reliable, turn key, awesome runner but gutless as a pig..<br /><br />I have ran a 13x15, 13x17 and a 13x19 prop, it will only pull 4800 RPM at WOT, timing is at 26 degrees, new coils, carbs rebuilt, etc, etc.. Full trim, it will only pull 36 MPH.<br /><br />Before it blew up it pulled 6000 RPM at 55 MPH...<br /><br />HUGE difference.

 

[ddbyrd3]

Re: Engine swap (repower)

DHADLEY.. you say is will be a direct swap???<br /><br />My V4 is a 1980, my 150 VRO is a 1987..

 

[DJ]

Re: Engine swap (repower)

You're not getting all she's got at 4800.<br /><br />Something else is wrong.<br /><br />Dhadley?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Engine swap (repower)

Yep, at least 2. Now if he has a V4 looper it has as much if not more torque than the V6 crossflow.<br /><br />I guess the other thing is weight. If it is a V4 crossflow the 150 will weigh more. And if the Glastron is a GT150 that may be an issue. I guess a lot will have to do with the boat itself.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Engine swap (repower)

DJ,<br /><br />They were dead reliable, it's true, and torquey as the ****ens. I and my siblings did buy him a brand new 15 hp kicker a few years ago, though, and had it installed and linked up to his steering on the boat...just in case. At 80, it's a little harder for him to tip that big guy up to change plugs on the water these days.<br /><br />But, like the Johnson, he's unstoppable...<br /><br />He and my mom are arriving here in MN for a week's visit. Gotta get him out on the lake and catch a few walleyes and northerns while he's here.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Engine swap (repower)

Yep. Somethings bad wrong. It should be at 28* timing but 2* isnt going to be 1200 rpm.

 

[ddbyrd3]

Re: Engine swap (repower)

My boat is a Glastron Galaxie V190 19'<br /><br />I appologise, it is at 28 degrees. <br /><br />So you dont think the 150 V6 will produce more torqur and HP than the 140 V4???<br /><br />now I am really

 

[DJ]

Re: Engine swap (repower)

The V-6 will definetely produce more-if it's healthy. Your V-4 is NOT.<br /><br />But, let's not give up the farm on the V-4 yet.

 

[ddbyrd3]

Re: Engine swap (repower)

V4 history... prior to 2001, my V4 hauled the farm, great power, screamed across the water, again 6000 RPM 50+ MPH.<br /><br />Then it heat seized due to the water passages on top of the head were clogged (it was ran in salt water and not flushed properly by previous owner)The top ring land exploded.<br /><br />I had a repitable shop (so I thought) rebuild it... Come to find out, the piston that came apart, that cylinder was bored .020 over and the other 3 left at std bore, (WHY, I DONT KNOW). new pistons, bearings, etc. <br /><br />It runs good, turn key, just gutless. Nothing on the boat has changed, just the power head was removed, rebuilt, reinstalled.

 

[DJ]

Re: Engine swap (repower)

I'll let DH comment on the rebuild.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Engine swap (repower)

Hmmm...could this possibly be something as simple as the throttle butterfly in the carb not opening fully? I mean, that seems too simple, but I've seen odder things, especially after major work like a powerhead overhaul.<br /><br />It wouldn't take much to keep the engine from developing all its power.<br /><br />If that's too simple, well, I tried.

 

[ddbyrd3]

Re: Engine swap (repower)

Nope... Full throttle, and timing, first 2 things I checked... all is good, changed props, did it too no difference, except the 19 pitch will only pull 4700 RPM.<br /><br />Before the motor blew, I was running the 13x19 SST 3 blade prop at 6000 RPM 50+ MPH now I cant pull 5000 RPM with a 15 ptich.