What lower units can my 120hp '88-91 use?

[archcycle]

My motor is an evinrude 120hp in the 1988-91 range. No way to tell the exact year someone did a full job of removing such evidence before i got it. So now my foot is shot and I would like to find a replacement. Found a local mechanic who took it off and changed the water pump and did a few other things and put it back together and long story short the noises down there are indicative of death (and no I didn't pay him...)

So now I am highly against the idea of paying another person to take it apart and find out whats broken and then pay for parts and repair time and just want to replace the thing. I would really appreciate any info on what years will bolt onto this thing and get me back on the water.

 

[lmuss53]

Re: What lower units can my 120hp '88-91 use?

I might be wrong, but I think all the v-4's are the same from about 77 til ??, at least well into the '90's.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What lower units can my 120hp '88-91 use?

look here http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=359907

 

[ezeke]

Re: What lower units can my 120hp '88-91 use?

The gearcase driveshaft has to match the midsection.

The 20" motors used a small gearcase with a 13 spline propshaft - you can count the splines.

The 25" motors and the counter-rotating motors used a a large gearcase with a 15 spline propshaft.

1985 - 1991 V4 looper units will all work with the correct driveshaft and shift rod.

BTW, 1988 motors did not come with the extra PT&T switch on the lower cowl; that's one way to distinguish the model years.

Call the salvage yards for a used unit. Here is a partial list for you to research. The good ones will give you a limited warranty.

The V6 units will work, but the gears are wrong.

sea-way.com
outboard-parts.com
laingsoutboards.com
tcoutboard.com
fairwindsmarina.com
salvagemarine.com
marinepartsoutlet.com
outboardexchange.com
Superior Marine (800-338-9281)
budgetboats.net
americanoutboard.com
piratemarinesalvage.com
trixieslanding.com
mmmarinesalvage.com

 

[archcycle]

Re: What lower units can my 120hp '88-91 use?

Thanks all. And good info ezeke, I have that PTT switch so that's one less year it can be.

 

[archcycle]

Re: What lower units can my 120hp '88-91 use?

Update: Located a lower unit from a 1985 140hp for $300 locally on craigslist. Since I'm pretty sure reverse, the dog, or both are shot this seems like a good idea except that on this year and my current unit's year the part numbers for many things inside there (those two included) are different.

So sure I could buy this one and bolt it on and go if it is actually in good shape, but are these parts interchangeable? I'm hesitant to buy this other one because of the possibility that it's got some issues and I can't use the parts from the two to make one working one.

Advice on interchangeability please? Also can I tell if the gears in the craigslist one are good by engaging them with the shift rod and trying to spin the prop? On my current bad one I put it in reverse and it gives a little resistance to turning then goes POP and spins a bit then Pop repeat.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: What lower units can my 120hp '88-91 use?

The 1985 V4 loopers had the larger gearcase with the 2.25:1 ratio. If your (later model) motor is a 20" motor it most likely has the smaller case with the 2:1 ratio. Not much is interchangable between the 2 units.

 

[ezeke]

Re: What lower units can my 120hp '88-91 use?

The large 25" V4 looper gearcases are 2.25 gear ratio through 1991 and the small 20" gearcases are 2.00 gear ratio through 1991. The longer driveshaft will not work with the 20" midsection, nor will the smaller gearcase driveshaft work with the 25" midsection. Find a match for what you have, with the correct driveshaft, and you will be OK.