Tools recommendations for my Force

[brianvolt7]

Fellow boaters,

I have been in the electrical construction industry for 15 years so I can do any type of electrical troubleshooting there is. The first two years I owned the boat it just worked! The only thing I did was change a bad lower unit and water pump guts. My dilemma is that in my plight to get my motor started this year, with some gracious members in another post, is that I am realizing that I really don?t have much in the way of mechanical tools and knowhow. Don?t get me wrong though, I have worked on cars and my last boat- it had a 4.3 with and Alpha One. I have the general sockets, drivers, open end wrenches etc.

I have a 1990 Force 120 L drive with the blue coils and would like to get it into top running conditions (after I get is started). I used a timing light some 20 yrs ago on a car that I owned and have seen friends use compression testers but don?t own any of these. Should I?

What are the tools I should have on hand for this motor? Can you all recommend any specialty tools specific to this motor like a stator tester or coil tester or possibly something that would tell me the strength of the spark? Any special tools for the fuel system?

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Tools recommendations for my Force

A GOOD (mine cost $100)compression tester will always be a good thing in the tool box.A GOOD multi-meter(peak reading would be a plus).A plug wire removal tool.A screwdriver that's long enough to reach your air screw.A factory manual is good.
The L-drive is one of those units that is harder and harder to find parts and someone to work on them(I won't touch them).
They were only produced a couple of years and they figured they were not worth the trouble.Good luck with yours.J

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Tools recommendations for my Force

Here is a tool that I made myself for testing the spark/spark plugs. I like this because it uses the actual plugs. If you have a bad plug, you have a pretty good chance of seeing it. Attach the cable to ground (the engine block) and you're good to go.

 

[brianvolt7]

Re: Tools recommendations for my Force

Ingenious, so you can actually see the plugs fire when they are on this tool? This is cool, maybe you should patent it.

I noticed that the coils on your motor are black and look a little different than mine, are these aftermarket?

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Tools recommendations for my Force

Yes you can actually see the spark jump across the gap. I use a remote starter switch wired across the starter solenoid. Turn the ignition key to the "ON" position, attach the cable with the clamp to a bolt on the engine block. I can stand right next to the motor, press the remote starter button and watch.

Yes, these are replacement coils from CDI Marine Electronics. I have since upgraded to later model Mercury CDM ignition system.