chrysler reliability.1983 75hp

fishkiller

Seaman
Joined
Oct 30, 2004
Messages
72
my 75' 70hp johnson died this summer and my neighbor has a 1983 75hp chrylser that has been sitting in his barn(on a bad boat) for several years. I realize that the carbs and the water pump will need to be rebuilt(carbs) and replaced(water pump) but of the 2 boat shops in town 1 sez stay away and the other sez get a merc....In looking at the internet it seems no one has much good to say about chryslers... whats the deal? are they good motors? are there years or models to stay away from and if so what are they??? can parts still be aquried reasonably?thanks for any insight!! :confused:
 

eurolarva

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Messages
4,182
Re: chrysler reliability.1983 75hp

I think force gave chrysler a bad name. If you visit the chrysler force section there are about 10 posts about force problems then there are for each chyrsler post. Chryslers are built very solid and easy to work on. Parts are getting harder to find but for an 83 you should be able to find most of the things you need from Mercury. Mine is 37 years old and it runs better then most of the motors I see at the landing. It has never left me stranded and has been good to me. If you can get it for under 500 dollars I would say go for it. You will need the controls that go with it. It might not hurt to get the compression tested before you buy it. If compression is bad I would pass on the motor.
 

scotiany

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 3, 2002
Messages
749
Re: chrysler reliability.1983 75hp

If you get the motor, rebuild the fuel pump too. It's cheap and easy to do. NAPA has the kit.
 

12Footer

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
8,217
Re: chrysler reliability.1983 75hp

yep. cannot add to those except to agree.
 

Terry H

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 25, 2001
Messages
1,862
Re: chrysler reliability.1983 75hp

I also agree with these thoughts, except that last year when I was looking for a 75hp motor I couldn't find anything for under about 7-800 bucks. I was set at $500 max, looked for several months without finding anything and ended up with something else.<br />...just a thought :)
 

rbruce63

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 30, 2003
Messages
212
Re: chrysler reliability.1983 75hp

I have a 1969 Chrysler 20 and feel that this motor is as reliable as any other motor with good maintenance. The issue of finding parts is another thing. A busted lower unit could be a problem and you could still find parts on Ebay or at dealers specializing in these motors.
 
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