1983 150hp Evinrude Rebuild or buy ?

[sea1tech101]

Hey guys I got 1983 evinrude. Trying to decide if I should rebuild this motor or go to a used fuel injected motor (200hp-225hp 2000-2006) for fuel economy and cost? What do you guys think? Has anyone rebuild a 1983 150 evinrude and I would like to get more horsepower out of the motor. Boat only does 43mph (gps from my phone). If I rebuild motor I would like to know about how much it cost to rebuild one if these. What kinda upgrades can I do to this motor I would love to get 200hp out of this motor because that's what my boat is rated for.Are parts interchangeable with same year motor (175,200,225 series). If I just wanted to get the compression back up, what's my options? I do have experience with motors mainly automotive motors so I do have understanding about the topic. compression test reads (normal operation temperature motor, throttle wide open, all spark plugs out) Current spark plugs are champion.
[75 75]
[75 80]
[75 55] (looking at the back of the motor)


Here's a few pics and model number if needed. The the boat is hooked to 1984 hydrasport VL-485

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1983 150hp Evinrude Rebuild or buy ?

If you compare the cost to overhaul vs the cost of a new Evinrude Etech, you will probably opt to overhaul-even considering future fuel costs. They are priced at the top of the market. Your engine is a base model and can be upgraded with some different components which may make your current engine more palatable, tho it is (and won't be) very fuel efficient. You can put some 1 5/16" 175 (larger carbs) on it to get close to 175. If you convert the heads to some of the older, higher compression ones, you will pickup even more hp-maybe another 10+. The older heads will get you compression between 110 and 120 lbs, depending on which you can find. If you add the NLA intake filler blocks, they are good for between 5-8 hp. These are just bolt on components....there are other options if you want to get into porting, etc.

 

[sea1tech101]

Re: 1983 150hp Evinrude Rebuild or buy ?

Thanks for the reply. When I was talking maybe I should have said a used motor between a 200hp or 225hp 2000-2006 year model.emdsapmgr what do you think about the compression of the motor.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: 1983 150hp Evinrude Rebuild or buy ?

I would try decarbing first in the hopes you have stuck rings in the low hole. See Top Secret File for recommended procedure.

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1983 150hp Evinrude Rebuild or buy ?

Those numbers are low, but also very even (except 55). I'd be suspicious of either the compression gauge, or the measurement method.

Was the 55 your last hole to measure? It could be you have a weak battery and that last hole got a bad measurement.

Maybe you could describe your procedure. Typically, you do a second measurement in reverse order.

 

[sea1tech101]

Re: 1983 150hp Evinrude Rebuild or buy ?

I have tested the motor twice forward and reverse pattern with a warm motor. The battery has been charged both times. I will look into the compression tester reading bad.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1983 150hp Evinrude Rebuild or buy ?

Your compression numbers are somewhat low, but keep in mind this is the vintage of engines which came out with the low compression bathtub heads due to the then-new ethanol fuel. It's also possible someone put a low compression kit on the engine (thicker head gaskets) which will further reduce overall compression.

 

[sea1tech101]

Re: 1983 150hp Evinrude Rebuild or buy ?

So I would like to get my boat up to aleast 65mph. To do that I would have to rebuild and add upgrades or buy used newer motor thats a 200hp. So guys which do you think would be cheaper go all the way through my motor and upgrade or buy a newer used motor 200hp?

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1983 150hp Evinrude Rebuild or buy ?

Well, sounds like the procedure was correct. Not that I doubted you, but always good to be sure. One more - plugs were all out, right?

Ok, if it were mine I'd do as above and try a decarb, then check again. If it didn't change, I'd pop a head off and see why that cylinder is so low.

What do your plugs look like - especially the one in the low cylinder as compared to the others?

 

[sea1tech101]

Re: 1983 150hp Evinrude Rebuild or buy ?

all plugs were out. I tired decarbing it haven't rechecked the compression yet. but i took for a spin and no change 40mph at 4800rpm. can head be pulled without removing whole power head.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1983 150hp Evinrude Rebuild or buy ?

That's the next thing to do. Pull the low compression head off. Always possible you have a head gasket leak. That's an easy fix. Especially check the top ring on the piston. You should be able to determine if it is intact. Also look for any scratches/grooves (scuffing) in the cylinder walls, or obvious dents in the top of the piston and head. Normal top end rpm on that engine should be 5500 rpm's. At 4800 the engine is lugging.

 

[Haffiman]

Re: 1983 150hp Evinrude Rebuild or buy ?

How much you play around with that engine, I doubt you will get much past 45 mph.
Most likely you have one piston and perhaps a cylinder down which means a total tear-down. If the rest of the engine is in good condition, not much of a problem but might be expensive if you leave it to a shop. I would have shopped around for a 200, put the 150 on the marked to get a price, then see how much you will have to fork out between. Probably less than a rebuild and 'up-grade' of the one you have

 

[sea1tech101]

Re: 1983 150hp Evinrude Rebuild or buy ?

What's a good shop manual for this motor I heard seloc was not a good book

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1983 150hp Evinrude Rebuild or buy ?

Head over to e-bay and see if you can find a second hand OEM shop manual. Nothing else comes close.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: 1983 150hp Evinrude Rebuild or buy ?

On that hull go with the a Merc engine(200efi) as its 100 lbs lighter than a DI engine or find you a 150-175 60? Johnson as lighter than the crossflow you have and a lot better fuel friendly...

 

[sea1tech101]

Re: 1983 150hp Evinrude Rebuild or buy ?

hey guys thanks again for the input. Few people mention head gasket leak and someone talked about having low compression heads and thicker gasket. Here's some pics probably cant tell much about the head gasket with out measurement, but anyway here's some pics. Anyway if I can find out what type of heads these are the numbers that I found don't match, so I'm guessing these are not the right numbers to look at. Also I did find a leak between head gasket. So I'm guessing thats why one of my cylinders are low.

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1983 150hp Evinrude Rebuild or buy ?

So, leaky exhaust gasket at any rate.

Take a look at your plugs. Does that low cylinder look like it's been steam-cleaned?

 

[sea1tech101]

Re: 1983 150hp Evinrude Rebuild or buy ?

I will take a pic you tell me. I think so because its cleaner than any of the others

 

[sea1tech101]

Re: 1983 150hp Evinrude Rebuild or buy ?

the one on the right low compression cylinder the one on the left cylinder above it.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1983 150hp Evinrude Rebuild or buy ?

The right spark plug has a washed appearance. Maybe you are getting water into the cylinder. Exhaust water leaks can find their way into the powerhead cylinders, esp on the lower two (bottom) cyls. May be time to pull the head and the exhaust manifolds.