Who can I trust

[Billnicole]

I went to look at a boat and the 120 hp motor on it said Force the guy told me it was a merc. I thought force had nothing to do with merc. If it does is this a good motor?? Or should I stay away.<br /><br />Thanks Bill

 

[The Marine Doctor]

Re: Who can I trust

To stay away will depend on the condition of the motor. Depending on the year...parts are quite expensive, and getting harder to get.<br /><br />Force was bought by Mercury and did have some Mercury parts on it.<br /><br />But...it is an engine on its own.<br /><br />TMD

 

[backdraft]

Re: Who can I trust

Billnicole, the 120 hp force indeed is a mercury engine. The engine was a merc block minus all the injection systems and doodads . They were built as a inexpensive line of motors to draw customers into the dealership to then use bait and switch and sell you the higher priced engine. As stated before the compression is the most telling part as to the condition of the powerhead. The compression can be taken numerous ways to get various results depending if you're buying or selling. nevjb

 

[roscoe]

Re: Who can I trust

What year is the engine?<br /><br />West Bend engines were bought out by Chrysler, which was bought by USMarine (FORCE), which was bought by Mercury. They are no longer in production as of 1999. THe basic design is still old (60's and 70's) technology. Mercury made improvements to the electronics and lower units over the years.<br /><br />To my knowledge, all Mercury Forces had a decal on the side of the cover, that said Force by Mercury Marine. The id plate on the transom bracket will also say Brunswich or Mercury, Fond du Lac WI, on it. From 1995 on they were ok, before that, they were still in transition.

 

[The Marine Doctor]

Re: Who can I trust

The Force engine retained the Chrysler block with a few mods from Mercury. The 70-75hp was made by Mercury, not a Chrysler design.<br /><br />The Force engine is NOT a Mercury, just made by the same company and shared some parts. Regardless of what it said on the Hood..they were different engines.<br /><br />TMD

 

[Billnicole]

Re: Who can I trust

thanks for all the info. Just because it said Force by merc it really still is a force.