Is Force that bad of a motor?

[dogman12]

Called a guy/dealer about trading a 70hp force for a used 50 merc and he acted like I was the antichrist.Said "nobody buy's them".

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Is Force that bad of a motor?

They aren't that bad of engines.

Think of Chrysler/Force as an Entry level outboard engines.
If they are taken care of, then they will run good. Think of it this way. I have a 1970 Chrysler outboard. Run great.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Is Force that bad of a motor?

The problem is that Force was discontinued over a decade ago and are not fully supported with parts. That's why their market value is significantly less than a comparable Johnson/Evinrude/Mercury etc.

 

[dogman12]

Re: Is Force that bad of a motor?

I guess I'm going to give rebuilding my motor a try.I have some rust on the flywheel, starter and ignition plate but I think she can be brought back to tip top shape. I just bought the boat, motor and trailer for 250.00. I just bought it for the motor for my project boat. Any advice on a rebuild?

 

[healey8390]

Re: Is Force that bad of a motor?

Why do you think it needs to be rebuilt?

 

[dogman12]

Re: Is Force that bad of a motor?

Here are some pics of the motor.

I don't think a total rebuild is the order but a major tune up and some replacement parts are necessary

 

[SwampThing]

Re: Is Force that bad of a motor?

Actually Forces are damn good motors. What they suffer from most is poor maintenance and being worked on by people with just enough knowledge to be a danger to themselves. The bias expressed by those same people has led to a snowball effect of negativity.

Looks like you've got a little bit of a project going there. Being the tight wad that I am, I wouldn't replace anything until I can 100% condemn it. The flywheel doesn't bother me. The starter looks a bit rusty, clean it up, grease the gear, and see if it works first. You want to go spend another 160.00 on that? Things I would budget for right from the start would be; plugs, fuel pump rebuild, fuel filter, fuel lines, carb rebuild or clean, and a water pump impeller.

 

[fucawi]

Re: Is Force that bad of a motor?

negativity towards Force nothing compared to the negativity towards Briggs and Stratton outboards!

 

[maxpower_hd]

Re: Is Force that bad of a motor?

I have a 1983 Chrysler 90, before they were bought by Force. It has been a very good motor and is quite easy to work on compared to others I've owned. No complaints. But they are not nearly as common or as easy to get parts for as say a Johnson or Mercury. There aren't too many places, around me anyway, that stock ANYTHING for it. I have to order virtually everything except spark plugs and oil. I don't know much about Force after the buy out of Chrysler but I have heard that the quality wasn't the same.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Is Force that bad of a motor?

No engine is dead, unless it's buried.

1st thing I would do it pull the plugs. Spray a bit of transmission fluid (Regular ATF or Dex merc III regular engine oil will work.) in the cylinders.

Hook a battery up and crank it over. If it cranks over nice, then attach a compression gauge to the cylinders and see your readings. I know the oil may skew the results but we're trying not to damage the engine further. Once you have compression then you'll start the picture of if it needs a total rebuild.

 

[ljc1957]

Re: Is Force that bad of a motor?

Don't let that rust scare you. Do like Buzz says. If it turns over and has good compression, which is a real possibility, then follow the thread on this forum outlining"starting an old outboard. If it's frozen, then I would look for another good running, used outboard that runs well. Oh Yeah, I've got a Chrysler outboard that has never failed me and it's easy to maintain. Good luck.

 

[emoney]

Re: Is Force that bad of a motor?

some of the "ugliest looking" motors are the best running. Now, that doesn't justify somebody not taking care of it, but the rust comes off most of the time with some elbow grease.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Is Force that bad of a motor?

Pay attention to the ground connections on the ignition coil mounting plate. I believe that all the grounds from the coils are connected to one screw on the mounting plate, then there is a jumper from the plate to the engine block. Without a good ground connection, the ignition system will not work well. Also that voltage regulator looks like it's seen better days. Once you get it running you can check the regulator out.

 

[Dave K.]

Re: Is Force that bad of a motor?

my 1984, 85hp runs like a champ! yearly maintenance about 30 bucks. 37 if i buy new plugs or more on impeller years, usually 2-3. i've had it seven (7) years. i'm the second owner.

i'm so sick of the naysayer chrysler/force bashers...****em!

 

[RRitt]

Re: Is Force that bad of a motor?

negativity towards Force nothing compared to the negativity towards Briggs and Stratton outboards!

I have a briggs. and a mercury. and a mariner. and a nissan. The briggs is my favorite. Most flats boats can float in 4-6" of water. You have to turn the engine off and push pole under 18" but they can float in 6". If you're not watching and accidentally hit bottom then the engine will need a new impeller. That's a new impeller every four or five trips unless you just stick to the edges. With the briggs there is no need to turn the engine off or watch the bottom. Just plow on in. If it's too shallow then the boat will stop moving. The problem with the briggs is inadequate horsepower for anything more than a 10-12 foot lightly loaded aluminum jon. I took it out twice and put a beating on it. Hit lots of stuff including a mantee. No sweat. I took my new mercury out one time and skimmed the top of a sandbar for about 15'. It needed a new impeller. I think if briggs made a 20-30hp aircooled outboard then it would be the best flats fishing outboard ever made.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Is Force that bad of a motor?

I have a briggs. and a mercury. and a mariner. and a nissan. The briggs is my favorite. Most flats boats can float in 4-6" of water. You have to turn the engine off and push pole under 18" but they can float in 6". If you're not watching and accidentally hit bottom then the engine will need a new impeller. That's a new impeller every four or five trips unless you just stick to the edges. With the briggs there is no need to turn the engine off or watch the bottom. Just plow on in. If it's too shallow then the boat will stop moving. The problem with the briggs is inadequate horsepower for anything more than a 10-12 foot lightly loaded aluminum jon. I took it out twice and put a beating on it. Hit lots of stuff including a mantee. No sweat. I took my new mercury out one time and skimmed the top of a sandbar for about 15'. It needed a new impeller. I think if briggs made a 20-30hp aircooled outboard then it would be the best flats fishing outboard ever made.

http://www.backwaterinc.com/motors.html

 

[emoney]

Re: Is Force that bad of a motor?

Was the Manatee ok?

 

[RRitt]

Re: Is Force that bad of a motor?

http://www.backwaterinc.com/motors.html

if i can't build myself a 20-30HP outboard then a long-tail is my next choice. I want vertical shaft so that powerheads are cheap and easy to replace. a brand new vertical shaft v-twin is about $400 and the mounting bolts are standardized across all manufacturers to fit any lawn tractor. and i want to sit down. and a steering wheel would be nice.