posted 06-13-2007 05:19 PM ET (US)        

I need some help. I am receiving conflicting information regarding this motor. The V in the model number stands for “Special Gearcase”. A dealer told me that this motor is set for high elevation. This made me concerned that the jets on the carbs are not set for sea level. I called Evinrude, and they told me that “Special Gearcase” means that it has some stainless steel components in the water pump, that this is standard in the Ocean Pro line, and that there are not any other differences. Is this true?

Also, the motor I replaced is a 1991 Johnson SilverStar 150. At 3500 RPM’s the old motor would push the boat at about 28 MPH. With the new motor, and the same prop as that was on the old motor, 3500 RPM’s is driving the boat at about 21 MPH. The load in the boat and weather conditions are about the same. I can’t test the maximum RPM’s because I’m still in the break-in period.

One more item… The motor idle speed, in the water, not in gear, is 1100. Is there an easy adjustment to lower the RPM’s or does in need a Sync-Link?

Is there a chance the gear ratio is different on this motor?

Could the tach be giving different readings (I used the wiring harness adapter)?

Thanks in advance.

posted 06-14-2007 08:08 AM ET (US)            

Your J150VXSSS is a counter-rotation gearcase engine.

Unless someone installed the optional high altitude parts (they do not come from the factory for high altitude), your motor is a standard CCW 25" shaft motor that is normally used on the port side of a twin engine rig.

It's a good motor but you will be limited to the available props for CCW operation.

posted 06-14-2007 10:13 AM ET (US)            

Peter's analysis is correct, it appears this motor has a 2.25:1 gear ratio and I suspect this is the "special" in Special Gearcase.

This motor was designed with the larger twin engine boat in mind, an offshore boat that would need twin 25" shaft length motors and a boat that is heavy and would benefit from being able to turn large propellers, hence the lower gear ratio.

posted 06-14-2007 10:33 AM ET (US)            

The gear ratio for the optional gear set is 2:1 instead of the more normal 1.87:1. I suspect the dealer Matt talked to was thinking the lower gearing meant it had been set up for high altitude. It has nothing to do with the carburetors.

posted 06-14-2007 06:18 PM ET (US)            

Normally I would agree with you on the CX meaning CCW gearcase, but both the factory PartSmart system and the Evinrude website parts diagrams state the following:

J150VXSSS Elec. Start, TNT, 25 IN. shaft, wht, cntr rotate 2000

Of course the literature could be wrong. Without seeing the motor, who knows?

posted 06-14-2007 10:10 PM ET (US)            

I hear ya, but like I said, the research is ambiguous. I found at least two other guys running this exact same motor/model number and it was a single installation. Obviously Matt is using a right hand prop and is moving forward.

I suspect the snafu is some typographical mix-up produced from the chaos of OMC circa 2000.

Matt,

posted 06-14-2007 11:40 PM ET (US)            

However, I have three more hours to go on the break-in period before I can test max RPM's. I will post performance info on Sunday evening after I return from Catalina.

The motor is running great. Still idles at about 1100 in neutral, and 900 in gear. Is there a chance it will fix itself after the break-in period?

posted 06-15-2007 01:02 AM ET (US)            

Do NOT buy a prop from West Marine. What a rip-off. The Quicksilver Typhoon is the same as the Mercury VenSura (a.k.a. Offshore). It is a good four blade prop for some applications and I think yours might be one of them. However, if your motor really does have a 2.25:1 gear ratio, I think you may need a 23" pitch.

I have a 14" x 21" Mercury Offshore I need to sell at some point. Would you like to try it out? I would ultimately like to get $275 for it.

posted 06-15-2007 07:44 AM ET (US)            

<<<<<The motor is running great. Still idles at about 1100 in neutral, and 900 in gear. Is there a chance it will fix itself after the break-in period?>>>>

See your dealer, it is possible that the QuickStart temp sender is not operational (or the motor is not coming up to temp) and is staying in "cold idle". It is easily checked with a timing light.

Other items may be the idle speed adjustment or the spark advance lever sticking in the return position.

Don't forget that most tachometers are not very accurate in that low rpm range, so the engine may be idling fine.

posted 06-20-2007 03:00 AM ET (US)            

We had a fantastic time in Catalina. But two of the carbs on the new motor would flood out at low RPM’s. When I opened the cover, took off the air intake manifold, and looked in the carburetor throat, I saw gas coming out of the tubes like a fountain. It was doing this on the upper right and lower left carbs. I removed the two carbs and found small pieces of metal in the bowls and in the needle seat. They are the size of sand. I found a post online that talked about this being a problem with 2000 Ocean Pros. How the hell did this happen? My theory is that these metal fragments are preventing the needle from seating completely and causing too much gas to enter the cylinders. I also think this is why the motor will not idle below 1100 when it is running on all cylinders. When I change the pugs, it runs fine (but still too much smoke) for ½ hour or so, then the plugs wash out. It’s going to the shop tomorrow for a carb cleaning, sync link, throttle and shift adjustment, and install check. It’s very disappointing to buy a new motor and not have it run correctly. My father-in-law thinks the 50-1 oil in the tank and VRO are not helping the situation much. I needed to double oil for the break in period.

I have over 10 hours on the motor now, and while it was running fairly well I was able to check max RPM’s. I hit 5200 with just me in the boat and 1/3 tank of gas. My GPS showed 43 MPH with a five MPH head wind and small chop. I’m still running the West Marine purchased Quicksilver 14X21 SS four blade prop. I think I need to go to a 14X19. I should get the boat back on Saturday and I’ll let you know how she runs.