Carb Bowl Swap and Compatibility Questions:

[71Windsor]

I have a 1988 Johnson 150 VRO (TX Model) with of coarse plastic carb bowls. Which naturally warped (again). They were replaces 3 seasons ago this being the 4th season. I pulled the carbs off and did a good cleaning prior to my first trip out this year. And even though the engine ran great when I came back in and parked I pulled the engine hood just to take a peak and surprise surprise the middle carb and possibly the lower are both leaking fuel. Pulled back off and put the bowls on the plane and they are warped for sure.

Ok the question.

I have a 1982-84 (it has conflicting numbers on the engine) 150 VRO here as well. And it has aluminum bowls on its carbs.

I have been reading any post that came up in the search. Im aware most likely this wont be a direct replacement, unless I can swap the entire carbs over to mine?

Is this a possibility? They look identical to mine. I cant find any thing that has jet sizes for each with certainty. Any literature I have found give several options of jets that could be in there.

Any insight would be great, thank you in advance!

-Frank
--Pennsville, NJ

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Carb Bowl Swap and Compatibility Questions:

The decision to replace the plastic bowls is a good one. This should solve your leak problems. Your 88 carb bowls have .056 main jets in them. The 82 mains are .049, the 83 mains are .046 and the 84 mains are .055. That's quite a spread in the main jet sizes. Possible the jets are different sizes because the throats of the carbs are different. Post the throat size of the carbs off the front flange of the carb face. I would not be infavor of just putting the 82 or 83 carbs on-they flow a lot less fuel and could run the engine lean-not a good thing. You do have an interesting option. Looks like the carb bowls on the 83,84 are the same as the type you have on your 88. The mid jet on those bowls are inside the bowl, just like the 88. If they match, I'd suggest you just swap the 83/84 bowls. Transfer your 88 main jets to the 83 or 84 bowls. The mid jets between the carb bowls are different thread sizes and are not compatible and won't swap. Good news is that if the bowls are 84 bowls, they have the same (identical) mid jet size (.029.) Leave them alone. If the bowls are 83 bowls, the mid jets are .027 and they should be replaced with .029's. (with the correct thread size.)

 

[71Windsor]

Re: Carb Bowl Swap and Compatibility Questions:

Thank you sorry I read your response and just went outside and started digging. I had my local shop verify the jets with mine my eyes aren't what they use to be. He agreed they where all good. Could not ask for better luck. No more leaking and a big gain in performance i forgot what it was like to run wot with out worrying I'm depriving a cylinder of oil and fuel.

Cheers my friend your knowledge is much appreciated!

Frank
Pennsville NJ