1979 150HP Evinrude Reliability

[860ford]

I am looking at a 1979 150HP Evinrude for purchase. Does anyone know of any manufacturing problems associated with this engine?

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1979 150HP Evinrude Reliability

If it has never been rebuilt, it may have the "high ring" pistons in it. These were prone to breaking, particularly if carbon built up behind the rings. If it has been rebuilt, it is probably good to go on that count. As far as general reliability, they are solid motors, albeit thirsty ones. Be wary if it has been used in salt...
- Scott

 

[860ford]

Re: 1979 150HP Evinrude Reliability

I love the looks of this motor, especially the part where you take off the hood and all you see is the block. Here are my other concerns.

I am replacing a 1988 88HP Johnson with the 1979 150HP Evinrude. Will my existing controls work? They both have the red plug.

The wire harness on the 1979 is dry rotted. Will the wire harness off my 1988 work? I realize that I will have to get two power packs, timer base etc. Will my coils work? How much off my 1988 can be transferred to the 1979? Starter? Starter Solenoid?

The 1979 has mechanical choke verses the solenoid primer on the 1988. What will be my differences in starting?

The wires going to the T-T are also dry rotted. If the motor is good can I replace the wires myself? Will the T-T on my 88 work on the 79?

This motor has the fuel pumps in serial. My book says that they are old style and that they should be replaced with the new high flow, any comments?

 

[860ford]

Re: 1979 150HP Evinrude Reliability

Oh, one last question. My 1988 88hp is 90hp prop. What is the prop rating on the 1979 150hp?

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1979 150HP Evinrude Reliability

The wiring harness for the two will be similar, but different enough to prevent a straight-out swap. Starters are different. Solenoids should swap. No reason why you can't replace the T&T wires, although care should be taken to keep things well sealed. Powerpacks are different. Coils will depend on what replacement packs you get, as the plugs are different in how they attach to the coil. Mecanical choke is easy to operate. There are starting procedure threads here on iboats that go into detail on that.

The 150 is powerhead rated and is likely in the 135-140 range at the prop...
- Scott

 

[Reelized]

Re: 1979 150HP Evinrude Reliability

Hey 860, Did almost the same(replaced an 89 110 Johnson with a 79 200 Johnson) pretty much was plug and play.Coils will work,I upgraded to later model coils(early style are hard wired,later have plug in connectors) My choke had an electric solenoid that operated when you push the key in.For starting I would just pump the fuel ball,start cranking while pushing the key in.Napa auto had rebuild kits for the fuel pumps which made a huge difference starting the motor (much faster)Look at your T-T motors and compare bolt mounting and harness plug to see if they will switch out,I think there was two styles.Your HP rating in 1979 was at the fly wheel so prop might be 130? someone else might know better.I'm not sure about the harness switch because of 4cyl to 6cyl different P-packs and feeds to them.If there is anything else,I'll tell ya if I know it.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1979 150HP Evinrude Reliability

Your 88 red plug box will work on the 79. All older V6 engines had the dual fuel pumps in serial. They are inexpensive (compared to VRO pumps) and work great, even on engines that put out a lot more than 150 hp. If the wiring is dry rotted, the fuel hoses probably are too. They are uniquely mfg'd and have specific part numbers. Be sure you get the factory ones if you need to replace any. The 79 carbs have no provision for the later fuel primer choke system, so you are stuck with the mechanical primer solenoid that activates the choke butterflys unless you go to later carbs. The 88 uses an engine-mounted trim box under the cowl with relays to operate the trim. The 79 uses a remotely-mounted box with solenoids mounted under the splashwell. These are two different systems, the 79 motor is a three wire system and the 88 motor is a two wire system. While the electrical parts are not interchangeable between the two systems, you should be able to 100% swap the units themselves. The only thing you would need is a mounting bracket on the 150 exhaust cover for the relay box. The 150's (and 175) that year were ported for low end torque and perform unbelievably well, compared to the V4- even considering that the V6 has taller gears and a bigger case/prop to push through the water. The V6 is 100 lbs heavier, so be sure your boat will handle it.

 

[Benny1963]

Re: 1979 150HP Evinrude Reliability

hi i have the 83 150 v6 your controls should work you will have to rewire
to the trim system does the 150 have a good stator and powerpacks on it or is it missing the electronics if so look on ebay and get entire system
sounds like if the 150 is sound you should just rewire trouble shoot
and use the control off 88 that way all you have to do is rewire trim
the weight diff may be a prob make sure hull will take the extra weight
as they said the gas usage on the 150 is nasty if you need pic on older
trim ot wireing let me no
bennyb

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1979 150HP Evinrude Reliability

there was a change in cables, in that era. type 400 and type 479.


479
* Fits: Johnson type single lever control heads(1979-date)
* Fits: Johnson engines (1979-date)
* Match both cable ends

400
* Fits: Johnson type twin lever control heads (pre-1979)
* Fits: Johnson engines (pre-1979)
* Match both cable ends

 

[Lakester]

Re: 1979 150HP Evinrude Reliability

relz'd sed:

"Napa auto had rebuild kits for the fuel pumps which made a huge difference starting the motor (much faster)

good to know info. thanks for mentioning it.

regards

lakester

 

[860ford]

Re: 1979 150HP Evinrude Reliability

Thanks very much for the info. The dealer that has this motor said he will have it in running condition, but that does not mean the rotted wires will be replaced for sale. I am trying to decide if my trade (88hp) is worth more to me in parts than trade, sounds like I would be better off getting new parts when I can afford to improve the 1979 150hp.

What should the compression be on the 150?

My 88hp is in good shape, the 1979 150 in fair shape. Any suggestions on what a kind of trade I should push for (Indiana, Ohio River area)? His asking on the 1979 is $1,895. Most older motors on e-bay of that HP are going for $1,200 to $1,600, but there is no guarantees there.

Reelized, what kind of boat did you do the swap on? I am running a 2072 SeaArk rated at 140hp. The 88hp will push it to 36mph with a 15 pitch with cup, but the acceleration is not there. With the flat bottom jon I do not think I will get much more on the top end (7-8mph), but it should jump out of the water and be fun to run.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1979 150HP Evinrude Reliability

105-110 lbs per hole. Pull the spark plugs and shine some light into the cyls and have a look at the cyl walls, piston tops. Is the 150 in a situation where you can hear it run? I'd be inclined to pull the exhaust cover and have a look. Chinewalker's got a good concern about the (original) high ring pistons. I'd be looking for that, plus any carbon on the rings, piston skirts, pits on the piston tops, piston scuffing. Drain out the lower oil and see if it is milky. There is a lot to check on an engine of this vintage and you don't want to pay good money only to find it needs a teardown. You should be considering replacing the water pump impeller, new thermostats before you run it on your boat. You may also need carb kits. I wouldn't be so concerned about the NLA wiring harness, as there are many of these old engines around and replacement (used) harnesses are readily available.

 

[seabasser]

Re: 1979 150HP Evinrude Reliability

you will probably gain more than 7-8 you can't compare the power of a v6 to a v4. that's a lot of money for an old motor, make sure it's right