Re: Johnson 225 Venom vs. OceanRunner
I think it is one of the best motors OMC ever made.
Just make sure you have a 1996. The versions of the same engine from say 1989 thru 1995 changed every year. And not just simple changes...water control valves and carb changes and piston changes (added finger ports), rod changes too.... were the big things. But in 1996, they seemed to get it together, and the engine stayed the same thru 2001 as a Johnson V6 looper.
Very easy to work on..very simple design. Carbs easy to clean, does NOT have optical ignition, just a simple motor to service and is a strong runner.
How to tell if 1996 - first, the air silencer is held to the front of the engine by two plastic headed wing bolts. One at the bottom of the silencer, and one just above center. The 1996 carbs have only one intermediate jet located at about the 9-10 o'clock position as you look into the carb front, to the side of the venturi bore. Should be a number 30 if you really want to get into the inspection of it. If you have two bleed orifices and no adjustable needle, you don't have 1996 carbs.
The carbs will also have an adjustable air bleed screw. It is sort of hidden, placed way back into the carb body, just look into the hole at the top in the front of the carb, and you will see an allen head screw back in there...that's the air bleed adjustment.
Also, make sure you have 225 carbs on it. Examining the throttle butterflies, you will see three small brass screws holding the butterfly plate to the shaft. That's a 225 carb. The 200's have only two screws.
The powerhead should NOT have a water control valve that is operated by the throttle on the starboard side. No water hoses going over to the throttle levers....
If the engine doesn't match what I have said above, it has been pieced together, and you will have to sort out what is not right for a 1996 225.
I hope it is factory, because I think you will be very pleased with it.
