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General questions 1986 140 Looper

G

galamb

Silver Medal Contributor
"Need some opinions/expertise

"Need some opinions/expertise -

I'm working on a very nice glass over mahogany 21 footer - restore job. The dry weight is only 1500 pounds so can get away with "less" horsepower.

Being a Merc guy I had it pegged for a V6/135 Merc as the ideal engine (all the specs check out for decent running speed/gas mileage etc).

In the process have come across a very nice 1986 V4 140 Looper. My OMC manuals are less than extensive, so would like to know:

What's the displacement on these? (cu in or litres) - I don't like motors that are getting 2 horses for every cubic inch - just too hard on the motor...

What's the good/bad/ugly on these motors??

Design issues? intrinsic problems? etc.

I'm fairly certain that the torque from a V4 would be somewhat less than a V6, but were/are these a decent performing motor...

Thanks much in advance..."
 
"Hi Graham I cant believe afte

"Hi Graham I cant believe after all the help you have given that someone cant help you
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"
 
"A slightly obscure model, onl

"A slightly obscure model, only built between 85-87 from what I can gather. Makes me wonder why such a short model run (???)

Was really just looking for an opinion/experience with these before telling a guy that it's worth 500 bucks. Parts seem to be readily available, but motors are enough of a money pit without picking a bad one. So maybe I'll just stick to my Mercs
"
 
"It is a 1/2 V8 (250/300hp

"It is a 1/2 V8 (250/300hp) or 2/3 V6 (200/225hp).
Being a 2.0Liter, not too bad power to volume ratio.
Fell in hp range in between the V6 and upper end of V4 which is a difficult segment. If You have a look at boats produced that have the upper limit of 140hp -it is not many! That made the most go for a V6 150 instead. However it kept on living as a 135 for some years.
In all a well performing engine without any significant problems. The weakest spot is in my opinion the thermostat system with membranes. Need a close watch."
 
"85-87???---They made it as a

"85-87???---They made it as a 130hp in 97, same V-4 looper block.It was made for many years."
 
"Thanks guys, that is some of

"Thanks guys, that is some of what I was trying to ascertain.

There is limited info out on the web for this particular model and without a factory manual, specs are difficult to come by.

From what I gathered the V4 140's produced between 85-87 were 90 degree loopers with 3.5 inch bore. The displacement was 1.8 litres (or about 110 cu in) the same as the Sea Drives of the same time frame, according to the only source I could find that had any specs.

The prior year models were cross flows and the 90 degree loopers that followed (120/140's built through the 1990's) were based on a 2 litre block (3.685" bore), thus making these slightly unique.

I was concerned that because the block size was increased after these models that perhaps there was some inferior perfomance issues that caused OMC to move to a different powerhead.

The 85-87 120/140's seemed to be a "beast of their own", so was just looking for some input."
 
They are not a beast on their

They are not a beast on their own! The newer models just have bigger bore / pistons and the rest is the same. Bigger bore brought on by poorer fuel available today.
 
I was just going thru some of

I was just going thru some of my old engine brochures. The 1986 120/140hp brochure lists (as per your above post) the following.

Bore/Stroke Displacement Cu. In. (CC) as:

3.500 x 2.858
110
(1800 c.c.)
 
The newer motors are not a &#3

The newer motors are not a " different powerhead " just bigger pistons.
 
Can I get a free manual for my

Can I get a free manual for my 1958 Sea Horse
 
"Excellent, thanks Ikia, Joe a

"Excellent, thanks Ikia, Joe and Morten. That's what I was looking for.

Being very unfamiliar with OMC's in general I didn't want to get into a motor that was possibly a "one off" orphan.

Most to all of the parts still seem to be very much available was just concerned that the motor had been changed to account for an initial poor design/flaw/recurring issue etc.."
 
The gasket between the block a

The gasket between the block and exhaust housing is the same from day one to the 99 model-----not many changes were made.
 
"Thank you, much appreciated.

"Thank you, much appreciated. Based on the responses from you guys who are familiar with these motors, I have purchased the engine - 1986 model, excellent compression, running, VRO still attached and funtioning properly for 500 bucks - seemed like a good deal

Will probably have future questions and will definately seek out your expertise.

Thanks again..."
 
"good luck.
Before starting:

"good luck.
Before starting:
Pull the thermostats.
If You find a 'white housing' with a vernatherm inside, replace it with the 'newer' version (Brown/Black??). This even include replacing the 'cup' and rubber bushing (seat) with a 'plastic' cone.
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"
 
"Thanks for the tip Morten.

"Thanks for the tip Morten.

This will not be mounted until the spring now - getting a little chilly up my way.

I did plan on pulling the covers and getting a look at the cylinders, pulling/cleaning the carbs, doing the impeller/gaskets etc - giving it a good once over.

Would appreciate any tips you or other could pass along..

Thanks again."
 
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