Is this a VR 45 ?

[jerry-ahrens]

Found this one for sale nearby. It looks like a racing lower unit to me. What do you guys think?

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[oldelto]

Lower is VR. Not sure about top powerhead, V or VR. Hard to tell.

[chris-p]

I cannot tell from pics either, but buy it and worry about it later! lol

[Randy in Tampa]

Jerry, can you get a picture of the front of the motor specifically the rotary valve? 😉

[brook-n]

Jerry,
See if there is an ID plate on the flywheel. If so and it reads VR with a serial# you can match it up with the number on
the block. The number on the block is located on the starboard side just under the top nut/stud that holds the cylinder to the block. (If I remember correctly as mine is stored at my fathers house.) the numbers should match.

Respectfully

[jerry-ahrens]

Thanks for the reply’s guys. I am planning on picking it up later this week. The guy sayes it’s stuck, but I figure it’s worth at least checking it out. I will post some pics up close when I get her home. I did ask about the serial number on the rope sheave, he said that it appeared to have been sanded off? Brook, I will check the number on the underside of the powerhead as you suggested. I have a weakness for the Big Iron Johnsons, can’t help myself!

[adam1961]

Jerry,
Look at the rotary valve when you see the motor. 45 series motor will have the small full speed rotary setup that does not stick out of the front of the block and far as the 50 series and up, half speed valves. This applies to service and race motors.

It looks like the motor in the photo has the nuts on the cylinder head studs recessed almost fully into the heads. This points to service power head. My VRs have the nut protruding almost half way due to the high compression heads. hard to tell from the photo

Still a good find either way

[jerry-ahrens]

Thanks Adam. thats good info. Looking at the picture again, it almost looks to me like the mag plate is missing too. But still a good parts motor.
While we are on the subject of the V series engines, I wanted to share a picture of this one. This motor belonged to my good friend Rob Emert. I got it from him just before he passed away in January of this year. Rob did all the restoration himself, including cutting open the gas tank to remove the dents. Bill Salusbury rebuilt the powerhead. For me it’s a dream motor, for many reasons. Rob was not the type of guy to brag and to show off his motors. He deserves all the credit on this beauty.

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[jerry-ahrens]

Pic.

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[chris-p]

Jerry, what a bee-you-tee-full motor! Ill take it 😉

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