Weak reverse power

[jpru2001]

1991 Force 150 with Morse controls<br />OK, I am a newbie to boats but have had this one for about 3 months and am starting to get the hang of messing with the engine.<br />My only problem (knock on wood) is that I do not get much power in reverse, as with the control all the way down in reverse, I only get around 1500rpms, and in a current it is pretty scarey. forward WOT is perfect at 5200, and it idles good in neutral at 8 or 900. <br />My question is, can I adjust the linkage to the carb to increase the reverse max rpm without effecting everything else, and if so how? I have had advice that if I am happy with everything else then to learn to live with a weak reverse and don't touch anything.<br />From my Clymer's manual, I see how to adjust the linkage and cams on the carb, but am kinda nervous about doing this. Is there any other solution to this problem? And why would the range of rpms on everything else be right but be too low for reverse.<br />Or is this rpm about right for reverse and it is just a habit of Force motors?<br />Advice would be terrific!

 

[steelespike]

Re: Weak reverse power

I dont have a clue about that particular motor<br />but I would take off the cowl and watch the <br />cables and linkages.Especially the cable, adj.<br /> so it just barely makes wot in forward and<br />it may do better in reverse.<br /> Watch the inter action of the shift and throttle linkages.If you change anything be sure you can change it back if you are wrong.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Weak reverse power

Jpru<br />I do not know your motor at all but will tell you most motor do not go very hig RPMS in reverse. Several reasons, 1: If you hit anything in reverse motor has no give like in foward. 2: V hulls do not steer very well in reverse.<br />3: Higher RPMS in reverse with thru hub exhaust may not give you as much speed. Exhaust coming out behind prop means in reverse with higher RPMS many times get so much exhaust that prop is running in air instead of water and gets no bight. Now they do make special high thrust props for small motors that woek very well in reverse because exhaust come out in a different spot. Also some small motor when in reverse vent exhaust higher up so prop has more thrust.<br />Larger diameter props also often have better reverse thrust.