1986 Johnson 150 HP Crossflow V6 Rebuild - Now What?

[Terrapin]

I completed the below work on this 1986 Johnson 150 HP crossflow V6 engine (J150TXCDC) in the off seasons over the past two to three years. It has been running very well for me since the engine was fired up after the rebuild in the summer of 2021. The question I have, after investing all this time, is what else should I replace on this 1986 engine to mitigate issues while on future vacations? Given the age of the outboard, should I consider replacing Plug Wires and/or testing any electrical system items such as the Power Packs, Coils, or any other items? Given the motor is 37 years old, is there something electrical or other destined to fail that I should consider replacing versus having a $200.00 item ruin a long-awaited vacation on the water? What is the recommended guidance considering what has been done to date?

• Engine Rebuild: Bored .020” oversize with new pistons, rings, bearings, O-rings, gaskets, and Chris Carson reeds
• Cleaned and rebuilt the three carburetors
• Replaced the OEM VRO with a new OEM VRO
• Gearcase: Replaced all the seals, O-rings, and the prop shaft bearings
• Water Pump Kit
• Starter Motor: Rebuilt
• Power Trim / Tilt: I opted to send this out for a professional rebuild. New seals, O-rings, gaskets, and trim motor replaced

 

[racerone]

Install the factory reeds.

 

[flyingscott]

If you put in factory pistons run a decarb in your gas. Use quality oil and make sure the thermostats are working.

 

[Faztbullet]

If your going the reed route , use TDR or CCMS as you will see a lil bump in performance. Stay away from the Boyesen stuff.

 

[Terrapin]

Install the factory reeds.

Ooops! I probably should have consulted the professionals here regarding the use of the Chris Carson reeds in my rebuild. Racerone and Faztbullet were a great help with my rebuild in 2021. Let me know if there is something I should be aware of since I did use them. I lapped the reed cages on a surface plate, greatly improving previous wear and damage, in a few cages, from mis-aligned steel reed plates.

 

[Terrapin]

If you put in factory pistons run a decarb in your gas. Use quality oil and make sure the thermostats are working.

I used the WSM pistons and rebuild kit I purchased from Jason's Block Shop. I broke it in using dino oil OMC XD25 and then transitioned to XD100. I understand the XD100 contains OMC Carbon Guard. I decarb with OMC Engine Tuner once a season and run Mercury Quickleen the first 60 gallon tank of the season.

 

[Terrapin]

After investing a lot of sweat equity in the mechanical side of a rebuild, is there anything I should be replacing on the electrical side (or other) given the components are 37 years old? Plug wires, stator, power pack, or coils?

 

[racerone]

Do you change light bulbs in the kitchen before they pop ?-----The electrical bits are quite well made.-----New impeller every 4 / 5 years is all I would do.

 

[flyingscott]

run a decarb in your fuel. WSM is a factory style piston

 

[Faztbullet]

CCMS reeds are Chris Carson reeds and will be fine. The XD100 does not have additives but theXD50 has CarbX9(carbon guard) in it

 

[Terrapin]

run a decarb in your fuel. WSM is a factory style piston

Do you have a preferred decarb fuel additive you run all the time?

 

[flyingscott]

Mercury Yamaha and Evinrude all make good ones.