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Too big?

C

CheckmateOhio

Member
I have an 86 starliner in great shape. It currently has a 175 Johnson on it and I am not sure if it runs. My question is this...I have found a Johnson 20"mid V-8 that weighs about 500#. Is this too much motor? My plate says 250 hp max, my current motor weighs about 400#. Or should I look for something a little smaller?
 
I have an 86 starliner in great shape. It currently has a 175 Johnson on it and I am not sure if it runs. My question is this...I have found a Johnson 20"mid V-8 that weighs about 500#. Is this too much motor? My plate says 250 hp max, my current motor weighs about 400#. Or should I look for something a little smaller?
 
The weight is NO PROBLEM, provided your transom is still strong/dry. What setback are you using?

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Checkmates owned: 1995 Pulsare 2100BR/1995 Mercury Promax 225 2.5 EFI. 1995 Persuader 183/4.3 LX V6. 1992 Pulse 171/1992 Mercury XR6 150 hp 2.5 liter.
 
That V8 would be right at home on that boat...They made a 275HP edition, and the 300HP "GT". If I am correct, all the 20" midstection motors were 300's. You do have several things of good points the other members covered (insurance, BIA certification plate, transom condition, etc.) I had an early 80's Checkmate enchanter "XS" that had that monster Merc 300 V6 (it was heavy torque beast that a 225 pro-max would kick the snot out of)...anyway, the point is that it was a HEAVY motor on a similar hull. I don't know if Checkmate added bracing to the transom addition glass???? It had a rating plate for 300HP so I had no questions about it.

My suggestion is that if the V8 is a great deal, buy it and try it. I would take off and extrenal V8 & horsepower lables just to reduce the chance of head aches. If you do get stopped, play stupid and pay the fine (if they actually check the Vin # to prove the HP rating). Chances are it will never happen, and you boat would be a screamer compared to that old motor!!! Good luck, Jim.
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Also, a trick you can also do to shave off about 50+ lbs of dead weight on that V8 is remove the power steering set-up AND I would remove your factory cable steering set-up and go to a Teleflex Sea-Star hyd. system (it costs less $1000...overton's last summer was $899)...Great steering; no effort, no torque transfer, very positive, and safe for performance apps.!!! Jim.
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