1975 Evinrude 135hp shaft length

[maryhannaj]

Does anyone know the driveshaft length on a 1975 Evinrude 135 hp mod#135583E? I would also like to know what this motors actual hp rating is at the prop and any other input on dependability etc...
I found one I may use for re-power and before I make the decision I would like to hear from people who actually know about them. As usual, thanks very much to all!

 

[F_R]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 135hp shaft length

Do you mean length as in transom height? It is a "Long Shaft", i.e. nominal 20" transom. Actual hp at prop? Actually, I have no idea, even though I was a dealer mechanic when it was new. There were some issues with timing and carb jetting to cope with the changeover to unleaded gas, but I have forgotten the details. Seems like most everybody else has too. We also had a LOT of water pump impeller failures. If the paint is discolored on the cylinders, walk away. Otherwise, be sure to put in a new impeller. Better yet, if it still has the aluminum pump housing, replace the whole pump with the newer plastic housing with stainless steel liners.

 

[V153]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 135hp shaft length

HP loss through the gearcase is said to be between 10 - 20%.

+1 on FR's water pump advice.

 

[maryhannaj]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 135hp shaft length

Thank you both very much!

 

[maryhannaj]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 135hp shaft length

What I really meant by shaft length was the length of the actual shaft. Im having a hard time now trying to figure what you meant by "it's a long shaft, I.e nominal 20" transom height".
I only ask again because when I look on places like ebay motors, sometimes the seller will state the actual shaft length and I try to use it in reference to the motor that I already have mounted. To say, my motor has a 20" inch shaft and if I were to try and research something on limited information, but could at least get a model number with the identifying character in it to help me make a more informed decision, I could better match it up to what has already been run on the boat.
I just think it would suck pretty bad to open up a crate full of paid for motor that just wont work.
So, what I think is your trying to give me a pretty basic fundamental on the proper way to choose the right shaft length per transom height, I would just like to know that I am understanding you correctly. Thanks.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 135hp shaft length

The 135 for 1975 was only available on one shaft length. Which is a "long" shaft that will fit on a 20" transom. These 135's were not considered very fuel efficient engines. Probably equates closely to today's 115 hp engines. I ran a 76 135 for a number of years and enjoyed many good hours on the water. That 135 has a number of performance items on it: large carbs, high compression heads, no rev limiter and the bubble back (tuned) exhaust. Considered a solid hotrod engine at the time. Compression is everything on a 2 stroke outboard. If you are considering purchasing, that's the #1 benchmark to know prior to purchase. That engine (in new condition) should have over 130# of compression on each cyl.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 135hp shaft length

Shaft lengths come in 3 main sizes. "Short Shaft" is for a nominal 15" transom. "Long Shaft" is for 20". "Extra Long Shaft" is for 25". Extra long wasn't even offered back that long ago, and the 135 was not made in short. Now, the rest of the story: Those transom heights were established back when boats were made of wood and had keels. Modern boats actually measure somewhat more than the nominal dimensions, but never anywhere near the 5" difference to the next size. Unless you are talking about race boats, then it is a whole new ball game.

EDIT: When searching the ads and the seller specifies the shaft length, the deal is that when mounted on the transom, the anti-cavitation plate should be more or less even with the bottom of the boat. That can vary, usually it will be lower. Again, never anything near 5 inches off. In many cases like the 135hp, provision is made to raise the motor up if necessary. Ideally it should be mounted as high as possible without excessive cavitation or ventilation (sucking air around the propeller).

 

[maryhannaj]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 135hp shaft length

Thank you both for helping me out on that. I have been kinda eyeballin a 76 Johnson 135 but still pretty nervous about goin over the max 120 rating. I am running the 20"shaft right now and it seems to be right within the parameters mentioned. So now in the case that I did decide to re-power, I will know even a bit more of what will or will not work out. Im very happy that I stumbled across this forum. I am actually learning alot with much thanks owed to everyone else.

 

[boobie]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 135hp shaft length

By going over the max hp rating you could get in trouble with either the coast guard or your insurance company incase of an accident. The boat will probably handle it okay but you never know.

 

[V153]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 135hp shaft length

My opinion on exceeding HP ratings aside for now ...

I'd pass on the '76. Stick with '78 & up. Better yet '84 or newer.

'77-78 they changed the bolt spacing where the block meets the mid. Meaning you can't put a newer block on a older mid, and vice versa.

By '84 all motors were prop rated.

Fyi with OMC V4s the length, or more appropriately, height of the mids are roughly equivalent to 20 & 25". For long shaft vs XL.

edit. In the pic the newer bolt spacing is to your left.

 

[maryhannaj]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 135hp shaft length

Agreed on the coast guard and insurance thing boobie. I just tend to always want more hp than what I have. This is the first time I've wanted to increase power on something that the law and the vessel may actually restrict.
Thanks for the drawing on the bolt patterns V153. Yet another thing learned probably only by experience. I would like to increase hp but also keep it within the 120 max limit. So I have been considering more either the 84 or newer, rated at the prop direction or just sticking with the 115 but upping the heads to the 140's as you once suggested. I have been watching ebay pretty closely for stuff like that. But the motor I have is definatly workable in my opinion. I just pulled it today for the rebuild, restore and I designed my stand so I could access the motor pretty good.
So I will order a new powerhead gasket kit at least and get workin on that along with the rest of the restore. Thank you both for your replies.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 135hp shaft length

If the engine you are discussing is the one in the pictures, it does not appear to be a 75 engine. The power pack style on the side of the engine did not come out till at least 1978. The 135/140 engines had the bubble back exhaust system. Your engine is a flatback it's either an 85 or 115 hp engine. If you post the model number off the block, it will confirm the year/hp of your engine. The good news is that it's newer than you think, but it's not a 135/140 model.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 135hp shaft length

That is NOT a 135/140 based on the exhaust system/plate.

 

[maryhannaj]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 135hp shaft length

No it isn't a 75 for sure. I asked about the 75 for the purpose of possibly purchasing one for more hp. This motor is a big mix of stuff I think.
The mount model number is j115tlcnb, the heads are marked 324528 and 334529, but the block is marked rsm2771e1881115. What's up with that?

 

[V153]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 135hp shaft length

My guess would be '82 ...?

115 that is.

 

[maryhannaj]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 135hp shaft length

Thanks V153. I have tried to cross referance the number on the block and the sight says that it doesn't exist. It seems strange to me that there would be the part of the number that is 1981115. That just makes me think 81 on the block itself. The number on the mount is definatly an 82. And the numbers on the heads are from a 79. Is there another spot somewhere on the case that would have a number?
That number was stamped on top of the starboard side of the case just in front of the head.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 135hp shaft length

Possible the block was rebuilt at some point. Possible a factory warranty replacement. Strictly a guess, but rebuilt in 1981 as a 115. Those heads were used for a number of years on the 85/90/100/115 powerheads.

 

[maryhannaj]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 135hp shaft length

Thanks emdsapmgr. So, im guessing that I would be safe to order a powerhead gasket kit for the 1982 year model then?

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 135hp shaft length

The same powerhead gasket was used from 1979 through 1998 on all 99.6 cubic inch crossflow V4 engines: Part factory number is 439085. This should be the one you need. The only oddball was the 85 hp from 1978, which is a 92 cubic inch engine that takes a 389555 set.

 

[maryhannaj]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 135hp shaft length

Thanks for the part number and info emdsapmgr. That makes it a bit easier to shop around on ebay for one knowing I dont have to have the exact year model.