1990 184DC/FS Repower

[druthomas]

Hey gang I’m looking at re-powering the 184 with a 175 Suzuki if I can find one. Any reason the back of this boat couldn’t handle a 511 pound motor on a 4” atlas JP. I had a new wooden transom installed 3 seasons ago and he beefed it up enough that I had to my tank forward a bit. The boat is rated for 175 so no issue on power just weight.

[Mcrider55]

184's are rated for 175's.

[tj]

I just happen to have a 1997 Mercury brochure handy (due to bought a new 175 EFI in 1997 for my 184). Brochure says my 175 EFI weight is 407 lbs. I have a 5.5 CMC jack plate. Bought 1985 Champ in 1989, still has original transom, keep it in the garage.

[druthomas]

Sounds good guys thanks!

[tj]

Here is info, so you might have idea of potential speed. If lake condition were better that day, might have got couple more mph on my 184 dc/fs. (below copied from previous 2021 post)
*****
Max 64 GPS at 5600 rpm 9/9/21 (1985 tach); calm wind; 84 air temp

1997 Merc 175 EFI (bought new; low hours; regular maintenance at Mercury dealer)
1997 Tempest A45 25P, CMC 5.5 manual, prop to pad = 3.78-inch
2 31-series tm batteries (lead acid)
1 24M80 battery
1 oil tank
mk 3-bank charger
mg 3500 12/24 tm
~ 14-gal fuel (dash gauge - 5/8 tank)

[druthomas]

Cool thanks, I was running 58 loaded full tank and 450# of angler on my 150xp raker 22p.

[druthomas]

Well I ordered 1 should be here in 16-20 weeks! I’m gonna get a zuke 4 blade for rough water and skiing and a croxten razor for a go fast prop!

[ChampioNman]

What's the gear ratio on that zuke? I've always heard they were a bear to get propped correctly.

[druthomas]

I’ve heard that too, I’ve talked to croxten a bit and I might go with one of there razor props after I break it in.

[druthomas]

Gear case is 2.5:1

[ChampioNman]

Don't know if you saw this discussion or not on the Zuke forums. http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=1157227

[druthomas]

I did thanks!

[ChampioNman]

Maybe too late now but did you look for a 175 SHO or a F150/175 hammer or a Merc 4 stroke 175? As far as the Merc went it took him about a year and a half to get his repower motor, Merc said not much demand for it but it was a V-6.

[druthomas]

I did briefly, hard to believe that v6 is 31 pounds lighter. If I wanted one in the near future the zuke was the ticket. We will see how it goes. My next move is to find a super clean 186 with no motor!

[druthomas]

Well I have the Suzuki 175 installed and its a beast. So,,511 pound motor, 4" plate and 4 G27 wet cells its a little tail heavy on the trailer. Im gonna move up the winch bracket a bit to see if I can get my tongue weight back. Ive only just started the break in process and I know I am under propped with a zuke 15" 24p 4B which will be our tubing prop. I'll be looking for a 3B to ring it out a bit and Im hoping to at least get 60-65 but we will see. It has the funky 2.5:1 gear case so that might limit it a bit. Whole different world to turn the key and have it just fire up with no working it a bit, you can barely hear it.

[SCOTT196]

I had a 1989 200 Evinrude on my 91-184, no problems with it.

[druthomas]

So a 2.5L I'm guessing which is prob a 100 pounds lighter than my motor. Did you have it on a jackplate if so how big?

Im not super worried about the weight but it is noticeably tail-heavy. Ive always read that tail heavy is faster. I cant imagine my setup is that much different than a lighter motor on a 8" plate.

[tj]

My 1997 175 EFI is 2507cc, 1997 Mercury brochure says 407 lbs, 1.87:1 gear ratio; 5.5 CMC jackplate, two 31-series tm batteries, one 24 start bat, oil tank, mk 315, 20-gal fuel tank. 1985 184F/S (bought in 1989). Last summer had 64GPS with my 14.5 inch diameter, 25P, 1997 Tempest prop. (1997 brochure - 200 EFI weighs 408 lbs)

Be careful with low tongue weight, I knew someone towing a car on a trailer & not balanced properly, and truck and trailer lost control and went off the road and down 30 foot slope into brush.

[druthomas]

Yep moving boat up for sure!

[druthomas]

So I moved the winch up 6 inches and tongue weight feels back to normal. The boat doesn't seem to care about the weight as far as handling. I'm still in the break in so I haven't been above 4K. At 4 I'm hitting 30 and the holeshot is incredible, I definitely have my slow, rough water, pull your fat bro in law on skis prop. I'm thinking of trying a croxton razr 28P to see what I can get out of it.