!978 Evinrude 85 hp 4 cyl or 1977 75 hp 3 cyl

[starfleet]

Hi All
I have a running 1977 75 hp 3 cyl evinrude and I have a chance to pick up a 1978 evinrude 85 hp 4 cyl outboard at a give away price $100.
My question is is the 85 any more desirable than the 75 hp 3 cyl other than the 10 extra hp and 80 extra pounds.
the 85 is less the mounting brackets , cables and no prop but it runs and has good compression.
Will the mounting bracket , cables and prop from the 75 work on the 85 and is it enough gain to do the work?
Also whats a running 85 4 cyl worth
Thanks

 

[boobie]

Go to shop.evinrude.com and compare part #'s between motors.

 

[Tim Frank]

Hi All
Also whats a running 85 4 cyl worth
Thanks

According to your post....$100-.

 

[emdsapmgr]

That 75 hp engine is overated in my opinion. It's a high port, 49 cubic inch engine. Not much torque, (hole shot) but a nice runner at high rpm's. On the other hand, the 85 is a v4 and has 92 cubic inches, almost double that of the 3 cyl. You won't believe the torque difference, and that's what makes the swap a great deal. The transom brackets are not the same between the two engines. (The 78 models were had updated transom brackets assemblies to enable the owner to upgrade to the newer power trim/tilt system as a option) So you'll have to look for salvage parts-should not be a problem as there have to be thousands of these popular engines in marine salvage yards across the US. The lower unit on that engine must be worth at least double or triple what you paid for the whole engine.

 

[starfleet]

Thanks for the info emdsapmgr
I'm looking for brackets now , there are some on ebay if i have to go that route But I'll check the salvage place in NJ first.
If i find them reasonably Ill keep and use that motor , I'm taking it either way at that price.
And i had no idea about the difference in CI of the motors

 

[Chinewalker]

You will see a marked difference in fuel consumption. The OMC triples are pretty good on gas. The V4s, not so much. On a lightweight boat, you will see a little better top end on the V4. One a heavier boat, the V4's extra torque will really shine.

 

[starfleet]

Thanks chinewalker , that's another good point to consider
The boat is a16 ft aluminum starcraft and probably wont be too hard to get moving .
Besides economics I'll be mainly using it on the ST Johns and lake george in fl so MPG and GPH will be factors to consider on days where i'm not just motorin up to the nearest hole to fish.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Yes, the V4 will use more fuel than the economical 3 cylinder when comparing wide open throttle consumption between both engines. Keep in mind that the V4 will push your boat a lot faster than that 3 cyl did. You will be able to pull the throttle back slightly on the V4 and still run the same max speed that the old 3 cyl did. That's a fuel saving technique.