Johnson VRO120 VS Johnson 140 crossflow

[Martman]

I have bought a boat with a bad motor, the 1985 120 VRO. I have also located a low hour 1982 Johnson 140 cross flow. Would I be better to put the money towards rebuilding the 120, or buy the older 140. It will be cheaper to buy the older motor, but may not be the best thing to do.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Johnson VRO120 VS Johnson 140 crossflow

A 140 crossflow on it's best day can't hold a candle to an average V4 looper.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Johnson VRO120 VS Johnson 140 crossflow

The loopers are by far the better motors but it depends entirely on how much work you want to do and how soon you want to go boating.
Why not buy and use the 140hp while fixing up the 120 looper. Sell the 140hp when done and get some money back or keep it as a spare.
My 2 cents

 

[ezeke]

Re: Johnson VRO120 VS Johnson 140 crossflow

When you pulled the cylinder head on the looper, what did you find?

 

[Martman]

Re: Johnson VRO120 VS Johnson 140 crossflow

The cylinder is scored, a cleaned it up, sprayed cleaner on the ring to loosen and carbon, cleaned the cylinder and oiled, and replaced the head gasket but it still has only about 60 lbs. New ring may fix it, but I have never had one of these marine engine apart before.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Johnson VRO120 VS Johnson 140 crossflow

They both may put out around the same hp. The crossflow was crank rated, the looper probably propshaft rated.