Need info on 1979 Johnson 140

[rrw]

Hi, I just bought a boat with a 1979 Johnson 140 on it. Serial # 140TL79R, its got a big hump between the heads, does that make it a looper? If so what's the pros/cons? I bought it just to replace the 88 on my fishing boat. Is it true that this would be considered a 115 HP by todays standards? It's a little older than I was looking for, but for $200 I won't complain, I havnt picked it up yet, so can't do a side by side comparison, is everything but the powerhead the same as my 1988 88? Was there any major mechanical improvements between 1979-1988? Thanks for any info!

 

[rrw]

Re: Need info on 1979 Johnson 140

Heres a pic

 

[rrw]

Re: Need info on 1979 Johnson 140

Bump

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: Need info on 1979 Johnson 140

Sorry I can't tell you much about changes during the years but the hump between the heads is the "bubble back" exhaust. It's still a crossflow. I've read that after they changed the rating from flywheel to prop that they dropped the hp rating down to 115 on the 140's.

 

[rrw]

Re: Need info on 1979 Johnson 140

Oh ok, thanks for the reply. I've heard the word "bubbleback" tossed around, wasn't sure what it was. So that's just for more exhaust flow? I wouldn't have guessed the motor loses 25 HP in the lower unit.

 

[MaPaHa]

Re: Need info on 1979 Johnson 140

I’ve got a motor just like that and it was a good motor. I’ve changed it out for a 150 just for the horsepower but I’m going to install it on the boat I bought for the 150 and it should run good on it. I’m guessing it was on the strong side of the 115 hp when it was re-rated but I don’t know. It’s a good solid motor and I ran it for 6 or 7 years. Mine too has the bubble back exhaust and I’ve been told it’s a cross flow.

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: Need info on 1979 Johnson 140

Oh ok, thanks for the reply. I've heard the word "bubbleback" tossed around, wasn't sure what it was. So that's just for more exhaust flow? I wouldn't have guessed the motor loses 25 HP in the lower unit.

Yes the bubbleback is a "tuned exhaust"- kind of like an expansion chamber on a dirt bike. Makes a little more power. Also makes changing the thermostats a nightmare lol. I had to do a bit of work to mine (1982 140 Evinrude) and bought quite a bit of used parts. Not sure what years or size V4's I was taking parts off of but they were mostly the same as what I needed lol.

 

[rrw]

Re: Need info on 1979 Johnson 140

I?m guessing it was on the strong side of the 115 hp when it was re-rated but I don?t know. It?s a good solid motor and I ran it for 6 or 7 years.

Thanks for the reply, that's what I was hoping to hear

 

[rrw]

Re: Need info on 1979 Johnson 140

Yes the bubbleback is a "tuned exhaust"- kind of like an expansion chamber on a dirt bike. Makes a little more power. Also makes changing the thermostats a nightmare lol. I had to do a bit of work to mine (1982 140 Evinrude) and bought quite a bit of used parts. Not sure what years or size V4's I was taking parts off of but they were mostly the same as what I needed lol.

Lol, yea that was one of my first thought, "man I hope the thermostats are good" . Thanks again.