OMC 40 vs. 48SPL

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songdog

Seaman
Joined
Aug 8, 2002
Messages
50
Does anyone have knowelge on how these motors compare, for a given year or vintage, in regards to dry weight, part availability, proven performance. I'm re-powering a 16 ft aerocraft aluminum boat at would consider the 48 SPL. What makes them special?
 
CATransplant

CATransplant

Admiral
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
6,319
Re: OMC 40 vs. 48SPL

"Special" sounds cool, huh? It's not so cool, really. That designation was used by OMC to sell old-school outboards in a new world.<br /><br />That said, there's nothing wrong with them.
 
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songdog

Seaman
Joined
Aug 8, 2002
Messages
50
Re: OMC 40 vs. 48SPL

I was hoping to ad the additional 8 hp without sacrificing weight. So does SPL mean stripped down? It won't look so special when I spray flat tan camo paint over it!!
 
CATransplant

CATransplant

Admiral
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
6,319
Re: OMC 40 vs. 48SPL

Oh, I don't know. That flat paint might just make it look extra SPL.<br /><br />I don't know the exact deal on the 48 SPL, but what usually happened was that it was a stripped down version, probably of the 50hp from a couple of years before it's model year. Sell it cheap was the OMC strategy for those motors, and get rid of old inventory of powerheads, etc.
 
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Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: OMC 40 vs. 48SPL

Ready for this??? The biggest difference is the distance the reed stop is set at. Its set real close on a 40. On a 2 cylinder 60 its set out about the thickness of a #1 drill bit.<br /><br />The easiest thing is to put Boyesen reeds in. Will you see some drastic magical top speed difference? I doubt it.
 
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songdog

Seaman
Joined
Aug 8, 2002
Messages
50
Re: OMC 40 vs. 48SPL

Help me out, they make the extra 8 HP on the reed stop? <br /><br />I don't know thats why I'm asking. <br /><br />In either event the 40 or the 48 SPL will perform better than my 25 pre-mix of the 1975 era!
 
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Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: OMC 40 vs. 48SPL

There are a few other things involved but the basic deal on that particular motor is they take a higher hp motor and choke it down. Its also rated at a lower rpm too. <br /><br />Youre absolutely right! The 40 is about twice what the old 25 was!
 
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