Mercruiser 120 vs 165

marvinjansen

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jan 10, 2010
Messages
278
I have an old 1973 Aristocraft 19 with a 165 which I am restoring and haven't had in the water yet. I've seen a nice 19 with a 120. How does the 120 compare to the 165 in performance and economy?
 

Fishermark

Vice Admiral
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Oct 19, 2003
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5,627
Re: Mercruiser 120 vs 165

Is this 165 a straight six? The 120 is a very much underpowered 4 cylinder. The 3 liter 140 is much better... but the 165 straight six is a great engine.
 

ziggy

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Jun 30, 2004
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7,473
Re: Mercruiser 120 vs 165

How does the 120 compare to the 165 in performance and economy?
i've no idea really since i've never had a nineteen with a 120 in it. maybe ask this question over on the AristoCraft board to see how the folks that got the 120 like them. 45 less hp is 45 less hp any way ya look at it though. it performs less than the 165 for sure. probably drinks less too. but i'd think the 120 will be working harder than the 165 to do the same work so fuel usage may not be to much different. myself. i'm very happy with the 165 and wouldn't be happy at all with a 120. drinks less or not. my buddy's got a 195hp in a bayliner, the other has 220hp in a stingray. i beat them both out of the hole. the bayliner has smart tabs, the stingray don't. they run 21p and 23p respectively. so neither of them are set up for hole shot imho.. i don't have tabs. they both take me by a long shot on top speed. i do 42mph with a 19p prop @ top end of wot..

the 165 is generally billed as one of the best engines to ever have been marinized and put in a boat. they're the cat's meow imho. great work engine.

edit, just saw ya did ask over on the AristoCraft forum. good idea.. ;)
 
Last edited:

thumpar

Admiral
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Jun 21, 2007
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6,138
Re: Mercruiser 120 vs 165

I have a 120 on my 16.5 footer. Stick with something bigger.
 

GLENN M

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Aug 14, 2010
Messages
204
Re: Mercruiser 120 vs 165

growing up my dad had a 19 ft kc thermoglass 7 ft wide and heavy,we fished alot and that 120 would go all day on 30 bucks in fuel, top speed 34 mph,
 

HT32BSX115

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
10,083
Re: Mercruiser 120 vs 165

I have an old 1973 Aristocraft 19 with a 165 which I am restoring and haven't had in the water yet. I've seen a nice 19 with a 120. How does the 120 compare to the 165 in performance and economy?

Having owned an 18ft boat with a 150 (inline 6) Mercruiser in it, a 19 with a 120 4cyl engine will be a real dog.


The 165 is a great engine!
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,381
Re: Mercruiser 120 vs 165

How does the 120 compare to the 165 in performance and economy?

Ayuh,... The 120hp is 1/3rd Less Horsepower.... It'll be Noticable....
 

ziggy

Admiral
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: Mercruiser 120 vs 165

I'll stay with the 165.
good idea imho. that is a pretty good lookin (respectable) nineteen though. to bad it's got a lame engine in it..
 

CheapboatKev

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 4, 2008
Messages
5,813
Re: Mercruiser 120 vs 165

The only thing better than a I6...is TWO of em! lol

Love that motor as well...Would love to fit one into my 18 ftr:D
 
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