age this motor please

[feeling2damgood]

im trying to figure out what year my motor is. i pulled the model number off the side im figuring it is a 76 but not sure.
the model number is 135EL76G. the cover says johnson 135 v4 and it is in great shape one year on rebuild.

[fitz73222]

1976, The 76 in the model number was the year of manufacture. Plus it was the only year the Chocolate moca brown Johnson was made. Last year for the 135. In 77' the 140 was a new design with many features and engineering born from the 200 hp  V6. Your motor was another bullet proof V4.

[pete]

Johnson and Evinrude Model year codes
 Johnson outboards prior to 1969-1980.  The year is in the Model number (not the serial number) Example: Johnson 1969 115hp = J115EL69S.
 
http://www.warnersdock.com/Modelyearlookup.htm

so I guess that makes yours a spirit of 76  

[feeling2damgood]

was this a good motor it seems to a beast. it pushes my 170 at 40mph and seems pretty solid. is there anything i should know about this one. all i have ever owned was 25-40hp motors so im not sure if it needs anything special. as far as it goes im to really sure what i got into with this boat and motor. im use to flat boats and motors i can man handle on and off the boat when i need to work on it. i thank you guys for the help it is worth billions to me(dont have billions dont ask.lol) this site has been a huge help and i have only been on for a week or so.
signed  llmf (my military boys will understand)

[fitz73222]

This must be the weekend for the V4 OMC's to come out and play! These were fantastic engines that will live for many more years with some TLC.
1) 89 octane minimum fuel requirement, 93 is best, these were higher compression engines born from the leaded gas days.
2) Change the gearcase lube now and every 40 hours from now on. Use the an equivilent to the OMC HI-VIS gearlube. I'm sure BRP (Bombardier) makes a lube for her. Make sure you replace the lube washers. 311598 was the part number 35 years ago. ( Why the heck do I remember that?) I really need to get a life....
3) Now and every 100 hours after. Remove the carbon deposits with Valve Tech cleaner sprayed through the carbs per instructions or use the dump in the tank version. Yamaha and Mercury both make their own versions of the same stuff. You are pre-mixing @ a 50-1 ratio; 2.6 oz per gallon of gas.
4) throw a water pump and thermostat in her to get a baseline for annual maintenance.
5) We used to tach them at 5800-6000 WOT. These engines did not like to be over propped. The lived longer breathing a little. I`m curious what you are turning at WOT. You should be seeing closer to 50 mph with that bad boy on a 17 AS. I`m thinking atleast a 19, maybe a 21 pitch prop.
6) Racor or Moelleur 10 Micron clear sightbowl water separating fuel filter. A must with todays ethanol fuels.
You have a classic outboard; take care of her and she will take care of you!, bet you would like to find power trim and tilt for her! It was still an accessory in those days and often a dealer installed option.

[feeling2damgood]

that was a huge amount of usefull info. thank you very much. im turning a 19 prop should i have something different back there. it seems to catch air or slip. wonder if thats the prob wrong prop. just wondering what this setup is worth. i paid the equivalnt of 1000 dollars.

[fitz73222]

What does she tach at wide open throttle? How do you know how fast she is going; GPS? We can do a little math problem to see have fast she should be going. We just need to know your gear ratio; I believe it was 12:26 (OMC used to give gear ratio stated as number of pinion gear teeth/forward gear teeth) or just a smidge under two to one. I cant remember these numbers anymore!

[feeling2damgood]

i got her on two diff gps at same time.my tack is not working. first project i need to get done. i know thats not going to help the figuring out process.