1995 Force 120. One owner and taken care of.

[Dave K.]

Hello everyone! Been a little while but I know where the help is.

I'm looking at a '95 capri with the 120hp this Saturday. I had a '84, 85hp for seven years so I'm familiar with the motor and did all my own "basic" maintenance. Great motor, always got me home.

The '95 would be after Mercury took over so I'm trying to get an idea if they would still be good motors?

Most everything I read leads me to believe they are just as duarble and dependable as the early 80's - 90's motor if they've been taken care of. From what I see and my discussions with the original owner, this one has been.

Any thoughts would be a big help.

Ty, Dave

 

[SkiDad]

Re: 1995 Force 120. One owner and taken care of.

i think you are right - about the same motor overall just different ignition i think. I think the key is what you said about previous owner - that is why i got my current boat - wasn't looking for a force at the time but the care it received made it too good to pass up.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Re: 1995 Force 120. One owner and taken care of.

Sometime after Mercury bought Force, they switched to the Mercury Thunderbolt ignition and a Mercury lower unit. Both were considered good upgrades.

Force and Chrysler always got a bad rap because they were "old" technology and consequently got poor fuel economy. Pre-mixing gas and oil was a also a bother. For weekend boater the cost savings of the motor would buy an awful lot of gas !

Run what ya' brung and have a good time !

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1995 Force 120. One owner and taken care of.

Mercury also replaced the pistons and rods with longer rods and bigger bearings. The wrist pin holes were raised in the piston to accommodate the longer rods. The net effect, when combined with the Mercury ignition was significantly more power than older versions.

Basic block remained the same and you still mix oil with gas. Do preventive maintenance and keep the correct oil/gas ratio, and the engine may outlive you.

BTW: Mercury DID make some oil injected Force engines. I forget what they were used in--perhaps jet drives--but to my knowledge they were never outboards