Finally Had To Retire It

[chris.olson]

There comes a time when something, no matter how good it once was, has to be retired when service parts are hard to get. That's the point I finally reached with my old 1985 Chrysler Force 50.

I had converted the breaker plate to a pair of Ford points that work in it - it's almost impossible to find points for these things anymore. However, it still has the problem of drawing considerable power from the battery for the ignition when trolling at dead idle. The alternator doesn't put out enough power at idle to keep the battery charged.

So......figured I could live with that. But I can't live with the water pump impellers getting ate up every 25 hours due to the water pump housing being scored and badly corroded. A new water pump housing is $230 (if you can find one). But we were on Lake Superior in fairly heavy seas a couple weeks ago when the water pump went (brand new impeller with only 25 hours on it). Was forced to run the engine anyway to get back into port and overheated the top cylinder. Did a compression check on it after we got it out of the water, 75 psi on the top jug. Not worth sticking any more money in it.

So I happened to come across a complete replacement assembly - a 60hp Merc inline-four that did not run on the top two cylinders because it had a bad reed block. But at least service parts are available for the Mercury without the required searching thru junkyards to keep the old Chrysler Force running. Split the cases on the Merc, replaced the broken reed block, inspected the rest of the internals (looks like new yet), new paint, fired it up and runs perfectly smooth like Merc inline-fours were born to run. Ran it on the old International hydraulic dyno (made in the 70's in Minneapolis, MN), and while not totally sure of the dyno calibration, it made 63 hp and 58 lb-ft torque at 5,750 rpm.

Finally had to give up on the old Chrysler.

 

[jerryjerry05]

You should have posted that your old housing was bad.
I've got one that I would have given you for a donation to an animal shelter.
Good luck with the new motor.

 

[chris.olson]

Thanks Jerry. But like I said in my post there comes a limit to where you can keep one of these old Chryslers running anymore. The powerhead has already had the cylinders punched to the limit so it would have to be sleeved for another rebuild. The bad water pump housing was a cause and effect. When it gets to the point where you can't walk into a dealer and order the parts you need for maintenance, and the boat is used almost every day thru the summer, it's time to move on.

I always liked the old Chryslers. But I also always liked the Merc inline-fours. The aftermarket has fully supported the Mercs but they have discontinued most stuff for the Chryslers unless it also happens to fit the newer Mercury Force engines.

 

[racerone]

Retiring a 1985 motor is not that bad.------Wait till folks start looking for parts for 2000 to 2005 model years.-----All because of broken plastic / electronic parts that are expensive or listed as NLA.

 

[chris.olson]

Actually, that's one of the reasons I think it ran as long as it did. It has no electronics on it to go obsolete. I didn't pull the head to see what kind of shape the top cylinder is in, but even if that hole is bad it could be punched and sleeved and made to run again. And find a decent used water pump housing for it.

So I guess I took the path of least resistance and just swapped it out with a different one that's easier to get parts for. But as far as fixing it, what I'll probably do with it is part it out on eBay - good lower unit but needs a water pump, crankshaft and rods is still good, reeds and carb, flywheel and stator, top cowling cover etc..

 

[Grub54891]

Actually, that's one of the reasons I think it ran as long as it did. It has no electronics on it to go obsolete. I didn't pull the head to see what kind of shape the top cylinder is in, but even if that hole is bad it could be punched and sleeved and made to run again. And find a decent used water pump housing for it.

So I guess I took the path of least resistance and just swapped it out with a different one that's easier to get parts for. But as far as fixing it, what I'll probably do with it is part it out on eBay - good lower unit but needs a water pump, crankshaft and rods is still good, reeds and carb, flywheel and stator, top cowling cover etc..

Port Superior? I work at Washburn marina....lol

 

[chris.olson]

Port Superior? I work at Washburn marina....lol

Yep, the Twin Ports. We came in the Superior Entry that fateful day and it was rough. Shutting down because the water pump wasn't moving enough water wasn't an option if we we wanted to keep the boat on top of the water.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Retiring a 1985 motor is not that bad.------Wait till folks start looking for parts for 2000 to 2005 model years.-----All because of broken plastic / electronic parts that are expensive or listed as NLA.

Been seeing lots of Yamaha broken plastic control arm connectors especially the ones for the oil pump. Wish they made them in metal.

 

[Grub54891]

Been seeing lots of Yamaha broken plastic control arm connectors especially the ones for the oil pump. Wish they made them in metal.

Wich plastic arm? We have one in the shop, not installed right now for transom work but the oil pump has an issue according to the owner. PM me if you wish.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Not the arm but the plastic connector on the arm and the ends of the cables.

 

[Faztbullet]

Mercury did not make a 4 cylinder 60 HP ...you have a 50HP

 

[racerone]

They marketed a 4 cylinder 65 HP up to 1971.----Then came out with the less than robust 3 cylinder 650 in 1972.

 

[Grub54891]

Not the arm but the plastic connector on the arm and the ends of the cables.

Thank you. This one is ok there.....

 

[matt167]

They marketed a 4 cylinder 65 HP up to 1971.----Then came out with the less than robust 3 cylinder 650 in 1972.

I think the 4cyl 650's were distributor/ ignition. Magneto up to 65, and breakerless after that but I can't remember.. I have a '64 that was my grandfathers that I can't get parts for

 

[racerone]

Parts for a 64 model 650 should be easy to find.----Your location?

 

[matt167]

Parts for a 64 model 650 should be easy to find.----Your location?

Ny. But when I needed parts, they were NLA. I found NOS points. Water pump and stuff was available. I don't even need the motor now, so it just sits on a stand.

 

[Nordin]

Too bad to bury a Chrysler/Force 50Hp engine.
Sad that I am in Sweden Europe.
Have a lot of impeller housing that would fit and work for a lot of years.

 

[chris.olson]

Mercury did not make a 4 cylinder 60 HP ...you have a 50HP

Since it dyno'd 63 prop shaft hp on the old International Marine Dyno (give or take a bit due to dyno calibration and correction to standard conditions), it's a 60. It's 5.5 mph GPS faster than the old Force 50 was, and idles so smooth and quiet can barely tell it's running when trolling with it.

It was a downgrade as far as year manufactured. Huge upgrade in power, performance, torque, hole shot, and smoothness.

 

[racerone]

Post a picture of the carburetors.----Something is going on here with the decals on this motor.----Post a picture of the lower unit and or the water pump impeller and housing !

 

[matt167]

Post a picture of the carburetors.----Something is going on here with the decals on this motor.----Post a picture of the lower unit and or the water pump impeller and housing !

I think he stickered it as a 60hp because it broke 60hp on the dyno. The decal companies are usually able to customize if you ask them