I picked up my boat from the shop,(Totaly Rebuilt) and the mech told me that the motor would run a little rough until I finished the brake in oil (double oil for both tanks 20gal ea.) Also he told me that until I put a 14.5x20 raker prop it would load up and foul my plugs becasue I have a 14.5x24 raker. I took it out to run some of the break in oil and the boat ran worse than when I took it to him. My boat is a 1990 Stratos with a Johnson GT150, 7" jack plate when I called him when I got home and he told me it was not running good because of the prop. He told me it did the same thing to him and he put his raker 20 on and it ran like brand new. I guess my question is can that be true or did i get screwed????? Because I'm a new boater and not a mech price for this was $2900.00 Somebody Please help

Mwerner..... If this is the original prop that came with this when it was new which more than likly it is on a 18.5 ft boat should turn this prop with no problem. You shouldn't have to change a prop 4 pitches to break it in sounds more like a bandaid to me. When a engine is new you dont put a smaller pitch prop to break it in then go to another prop after it is broke in. I had noticed on one of your post his diagnoises was air was being sucked in between the head and block. That's a new one on me on those engines they had a problem with the block or the crankcase front half they would warp and start sucking air and start lean sneezing and not idle did this guy show you the pistons that came out of the engine.Take it back and have him show you how good it runs with a 20 pitch. Something is not right.......OPTI

Go to the auto parts store today, get a compression tester, they're cheap and check all six holes. Should be right around 100 on each one, make sure this guy didn't just jake leg you.

DON'T SOUND TOO GOOD!!!

This prop was not the one that came on it the guy i bought it from told me he put the jack plate and raker prop on it a few months before I bought it. Mike the mech told me that this boat (stratos are very heavy boats) this motor has never run correctly from the day I bought it but I didn't know. After learning this boat was not performing the way it should I started asking people what to do, Mike told me this motor had been rebuilt before and not correct. He did show me the pistons he pulled very burnt I hope they were mine? He said even trolling very slow it would load up with the prop that is on it? It does idle right I think I'm a real idoit when it comes to motors, But I would think that after 3000.00 rebuild it should run like a new engine??? Paid in cash I hope I didn't screw up!!!

Proper rebuild should last as long as factory.

Easiest way to spot a cheap build, they'll use gasket putty (usually orange) instead of spending the money on factory gaskets. If you see orange goo coming out of your powerhead, I'd be very cautious.

I forgot to say that this boat never had a hole shot when while Ive had the boat, had to have fishing partner stand on the bow to get to plain, would plain with only me in the boat but took a long time. And I think thats why he put his 20 pitch. Because he said after he completed the rebuild he took it to the lake and it was doing the samething on him even with all the work he did. Then found out somebody drilled out the jets on the carbs so he sold me used rebuilt ones for 45.00 each after carbs and 20 pitch ran perfect. But put my 24 pitch back on will not run right. Anyone ever heard of Burleson's Marine Service in Garland

I rebuit a 1984 Johnson 140 hp about 10 years ago it took me almost 2 months and about $600 in parts. I used the repair manual that you can get for most outboards. What you are describing does not sound right at all.If you don't have a lawyer you may need one. I think you are being hosed A prop would never cause a motor to load up.Unless it was severly damaged. Have you tried running it out of the water with the water hose and muffle hook up? After spending 3 G's that motor should run like a brand new one. I would do what opti said and make him show you how it runs with a different prop. If it runs like a new one after that i will eat my words.

Wrong sized prop can certainly affect performance, no doubt.

But...that boat should perform well with a 22 pitch raker, 20 should turn way over it's rpm happy range. Unless of course there are things we obviously can't see over a computer screen.

If you want some very good advice go to www.bassboatcentral.com.. register and go to the john/rude board and post the orignal problem and the rebuild problem to rusty63 or seahorse..these guys know johnson's inside and out.. a rebuilt engine should perform like new if built correctly..hope this turns out ok..waydon1

More than likly depending on what size pistons were used could be that the carbs need to be rejetted on the idle circuit and also the off-idle circuit I've found that on some of these older crossflow when you go oversize on all cylinders need a more fuel but what do I know just been doing this for over 20 years

Thanks for the help guy's I will report back with the results.

opti is right on about the carb jets.. I noticed in your post you said someone drilled out the jets and the giy sold you " rebuilt " carb jets..thats about like the sucking air around head and block...maybe you should give opti a phone call...there may be such a thing as rebuilt jets but thats new to me... I have rejetted a lot of holley 4 barrel carbs but have never bought a rebuilt jet...hope this turns out good for you....

Why did he replace the carbs all needed to do was install the right jets apperently the jets are not right in the ones he sold you also

OPTI, is correct. Why would he sell you "new" rebuilt carbs???? Why not just rebuild the old carbs??? I would take it to OPTI or Tommy on this forum and have them "test" out the fuel system and make sure carbs are synced (fully opening) and have proper insides.