1979 181SS V5!!! Purchase, Resto, lovein' and someday boatin'

Watermann

Starmada Splash of the Year 2014
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So... a 5.7L is heavy like a 150hp 6cyl vs a 140hp 4cyl Johnson? The benefit gained from going v6 vs v4 for the 10HP vs extra weight is not worth it?

Not sure about what you're comparing, outboards I guess? IOs are heavy, they're iron car motors. A 5.7L V8 is on average 260 HP and a V6 4.3L is 200 + or - 20 HP depending on the model. A 5.7L MC weighs in close to 900 Lbs, about 100 Lbs heavier than a 4.3L.

OBs like you mentioned are 300 - 400 Lbs.
 

chuckndiscs

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Apr 18, 2008
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Yes, was comparing obs - sorry!! I own both flavors...😁

So, how does the 140HP inboard compare to the 200hp 4.3? I understand 60hp give or take but does that equate to 10 moh on top end? Way better hole shot on 4.3?

140hp are a dime a dozen here in MN, 4.3 - not so much...
 

jbcurt00

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Read thru Robs Chieftain topic, he swapped a 4cyl to the 4.3 and based on pix, video and posts is extremely happy w the 4.3s performance all around on his 18ftr.
 

Watermann

Starmada Splash of the Year 2014
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The torque and power from a V6 is astounding over an inline 4 banger and it's not horrible on fuel if you don't always hammer on the throttle enough to tip open the 4 barrels. 60 HP to a boat is a huge jump, it would be like an 80 HP motor is to a 140 HP. Mines 205 HP and when opening it up slightly out of the hole there is no struggle just a deep guttural growl and in 25' your up on top.

One of my fun things to do is cruise the Chief at 3k rpms around 30 MPH then quickly stab the throttle and it launches the boat up to 40 MPH nearly in an instant as you dump open the secondaries it lets out a mighty roar. Not sure a guy could do that with a skinny single barrel carb on a 4 cyl engine and you certainly won't go over 40 MPH with it. I get 45 MPH out of my SS with a 140 HP OB but it only weighs in at 295 Lbs, the MC 140 will tip the scales at double that.

I know many guys aren't into that sort of power in an 18'r well the Chief is actually only a couple inches shy of being 19'. Some guys like fuel economy and to just putt along, it's up to you at this point what you want from your SS, a dime a dozen 4 banger like you say or a rip roaring machine that has no want for more power.
 

chuckndiscs

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Apr 18, 2008
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The torque and power from a V6 is astounding over an inline 4 banger and it's not horrible on fuel if you don't always hammer on the throttle enough to tip open the 4 barrels. 60 HP to a boat is a huge jump, it would be like an 80 HP motor is to a 140 HP. Mines 205 HP and when opening it up slightly out of the hole there is no struggle just a deep guttural growl and in 25' your up on top.

One of my fun things to do is cruise the Chief at 3k rpms around 30 MPH then quickly stab the throttle and it launches the boat up to 40 MPH nearly in an instant as you dump open the secondaries it lets out a mighty roar. Not sure a guy could do that with a skinny single barrel carb on a 4 cyl engine and you certainly won't go over 40 MPH with it. I get 45 MPH out of my SS with a 140 HP OB but it only weighs in at 295 Lbs, the MC 140 will tip the scales at double that.

I know many guys aren't into that sort of power in an 18'r well the Chief is actually only a couple inches shy of being 19'. Some guys like fuel economy and to just putt along, it's up to you at this point what you want from your SS, a dime a dozen 4 banger like you say or a rip roaring machine that has no want for more power.

Thanks Waterman! Sounds like that is the way to go...now to just keep my eyes peeled and watching for the donor boat. Just hope its not another 5 years of waiting, but to be honest I need to get this puppy tore down and rebuilt first anyways...

Appreciate the thoughts!

Chuck
 

chuckndiscs

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Apr 18, 2008
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While I am on the hunt for the elusive 4.3L and starting to rip apart the V5 - The fishing machine 16SS keeps on producing fun times, fish, and fellowship! I swear that boat is one of the luckiest fishing machines Ive ever been on!

With the kiddos on a sunny, bass and perch outing to a local lake as well as my buddies and I's "gentleman's annual fishing excursion to Lake of the Woods (Kinda like a candy store for Walleye's!)
 

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Watermann

Starmada Splash of the Year 2014
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Oh yeah nice stringer of eyes :whoo:

I'm thinking you'll be wanting a livewell in the new V5 build, the LW I put in mine works great. ;)
 

chuckndiscs

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Apr 18, 2008
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Mod EDIT: Solicitations and offers not permitted
 
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chuckndiscs

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 18, 2008
Messages
383
Clean it up! That's what you are saying - eh?

Got ya!

Well, I'm not fixing up my boat. It needs a new owner. PM me.

Chuck!
 
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