I recently bought a TS185 with the intention of rebuilding the destroyed motor. After evaluating the motor it may be beyond saving. The options are to either spend a large sum of $$ for a top to bottom rebuild or replace the motor directly with a motor of equivalent power. My thought was to replace it with a 250CC 4-stroke Suzuki motor but I am unsure of where to start. There has not been a ton of online information regarding TS185 modification and so I am unsure what would fit into the 73' frame. Has anyone done anything similar to this before or am I performing a taboo for not looking for a direct replacement. Looking for any advice on what motor could fit into the frame, where I could get a motor, and are there any gotchas that I should know about ahead of time.

Thank you.

 

Have a 74 ts185 with seized motor. Anyone have any info on whether a 250 will drop in?

 

Not a real mechanic but I would try to find an exact replacement engine. Just to many things can cause problems when swapping out a completely different size engine. But that's just me. Other more experienced people may have other thoughts.