Force owners and experts, would you buy again?

[lmuss53]

I'm thinking of buying a 1998 75 Force for on my pontoon. The motor is clean and runs well. I intend to do a compression test and check everything out completely. My question to the forum is: Would you buy a Force again?

I'm interested in reliability comments, parts availability, comments about the 3 cylinder motor with one carb, fuel consumption compared to other 75s. Is this the same powerhead that Merc continued to build for the jet drive? Is it the same as the Force 90?

This is a nice looking motor at a reasonable price. I just don't know a lot about them, having heard all the bad rap from guys who probably don't own one I am kind of leary of this one. I've come here to ask guys who own them and work on them their opinion of the 75 and if they would buy another one.

I've got no qualms about mixing fuel and I know the lower unit is the same as my '98 75 Mariner or my brother's '96 90 Merc.

If I buy it I intend to put 60 HP Bigfoot decals on it because I figure most folks won't know the difference and I won't have to listen to BS comments.

 

[Robert D]

Re: Force owners and experts, would you buy again?

I like the simplicity of the Force motors, although some of the ignition components are pricey. I would prefer an oil injected engine.....would make life simpler. I've had a few outboards, and it seems they all are fairly reliable as long as they are taken care of. The nice thing about the Force, is that you should be getting it cheap because of the name. I picked up a 1989/90 Force 150 for $700 that only had 60 hours on the engine since new. (The prior owner had passed away...it was his 'back up motor for his fresh water boat' that he and his son set up and ran for a week before putting it back on the stand. An estate sale.....he had numerous motors that sold for $10,000+, but nobody wanted this Force! The factory stickers under the cowl even look pretty new still....and I have added about 175 hours to the engine.)

Price is everything sometimes. I am leaning towards a 4 stroke engine in the future....but not quite yet

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Force owners and experts, would you buy again?

While I prefer Chrysler engines, the Force line is improved a bit over them and all I ever buy is a Force or Chrysler. (I have about 15-20) The only time I would buy another brand is if I needed an engine larger than 150 HP.

With minor differences in porting, carburetion and control cables, all three cylinder Force blocks are the same. They all use the same crankshaft, connecting rods and pistons. I do believe that the 70 and 75 have a smaller drive shaft so the crank splines are different than the 90.

However, I suspect that the lower unit still uses a 10 inch prop off the Merc 40 unless that lower was specifically designed for high loads/displacement hulls. (like a bigfoot). The engine itself is very nicely done and the single carb ones that I worked on with the 10 inch props delivered way more power than I had anticipated.

If I had the room, I would mount two 75s on the transom of my 21 foot cuddy.