Which Motor To Use

E260

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 2, 2017
Messages
95
Hello.
I have a 1972 Starcraft Holiday in redoing for catfishing .
I have a 1972 135 hp tower of power that runs great .
I also have a 140 hp 1979 distributor model that runs good .
My Question is which one to run on the boat ? Will there be any gas savings with the 135 ? Any noticable power difference with the 140?
Both have tilt and trim .
Thank you
 

Rick Stephens

Admiral
Joined
Aug 13, 2013
Messages
6,118
The tower of power is a 2 stroke outboard..... I'm guessing the 140 is a 3.0L inboard outboard? I'm missing something here, obviously.

Rick
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
50,264
if you want fuel economy, get a much newer motor..... like a newer 4-stroke. other than the ignition your 135hp and 140hp motors are essentially the same. both thirsty in-line 6-banger outboards
 

E260

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 2, 2017
Messages
95
The tower of power is a 2 stroke outboard..... I'm guessing the 140 is a 3.0L inboard outboard? I'm missing something here, obviously.

Rick
Hi Rick
The 140 is a tower of power out board .
Thank you
 

E260

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 2, 2017
Messages
95
if you want fuel economy, get a much newer motor..... like a newer 4-stroke. other than the ignition your 135hp and 140hp motors are essentially the same. both thirsty in-line 6-banger outboards
Hi Scott.
I would love a new motor but for how much i use my boat for 6 or 7 tournaments a year i cant justify that kind of money on a new one nor can i afford it .
Thank you
 

Rick Stephens

Admiral
Joined
Aug 13, 2013
Messages
6,118
I'm just slow I guess. I don't believe those two motors will show any difference at all. Probably only difference something like a carburetor upgrade. Minor difference at best. Use the one needs the least maintenance and go fishing.
 

Sea Rider

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
12,345
Prop them right to rev towards their full wot rpm range factory stated as loaded. Once there, 1/2 to 3/4 throttle is the best setting for neat fuel consumption if you're not in a hurry to arrive to the fishing spot asap.

Happy Boating
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,097
The only meaningful difference is that the 140 likely has Back-Drag carbs. I never had an issue with them, but some think "thems the devil hisself", and disable them. They may give you some economy over the 135 HP motor.

There are also some block port changes. The 140HP motor has the newer ported pistons and "finger" transfer ports. The 140HP motor is a rebadged 150hp motor, as the 150HPV6 had been introduced to replace the Merc 1500 IL6, in 1978, so it may have a power advantage.
 
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