Re: Are all forces really chrysler made??
What no one on this thread has brought up, and is important, is the fact that ALL Force larger engines and some of the smaller ones are the SAME block as West Bend Engines. West Bend was bought by Chrysler in the early '60s and in turn, when the federal govt. bailed out Chrysler, they made Lee Iococca divest Chrysler of all non automobile business. The outboard engine business was sold to AMF Brunswick, the name changed to Force, and sold as US Marine with absolutely no changes. Later Mercury was either bought by Brunswick or bought out Brunswick. The Force name remained and Merc started making changes in cowling, ignition, and lower unit.
The basic design which was NEVER changed, --block, pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft-- is 50 + years old. Chrysler started to change ignition systems from battery and points to electronic and also originated the one piece lower unit somewhere around 1980. Merc continued the same design until 1989 then started mild changes with a two piece drive shaft and slightly different water pump in 1990. During the late 90s, Merc took the same block and mounted it on a Merc midleg and lower unit. Then they discontinued the line--They already had Mariner as an entry level engine and it was not worth re-designing the Force block to make it comply with upcoming emissions regulations.
SO YES in a sense, all Force engines ARE Chrysler made.
Chrysler had a good run from early '60s to about 1984. They were popular, well running, inexpensive outboards, and if the Parent Corporation did not get into financial difficulties you would probably still see Chrysler outboards. Chrysler always was and still is a notable sector in larger boat inboard power with the venerable 318 V8, although GM seems to have the I/O power locked up.
The original Chrysler boats were Lone Star brand however, I forget who the business and molds were sold to. I think they were divested about a year or two later than the engine line.
I started boating with Rudes. My first Chrysler was a 1969 55 horsepower engine that I bought new for 600 bucks with controls and a steel gas tank. I still have it and it still runs well, although I must admit it is on the second rebuild. The first rebuild was due to my own negligence in running the engine too lean but in my defense, back then I was still wet behind the ears. Replacing a melted piston cost 12 bucks in parts back then--piston with two caged needle bearings pressed in.
and carpet) and sell the motor or if it is worth putting back in the water. Motor runs very nice , has new pump and prop, controls are in good shape. Its just that the old barge is 28 feet. although it has no leaks and is not beat all to pieces , It could make some one a cheap floater with lots of hours yet. just would like to hear some comments from fresh minds. thanks a lot to all. PJG.
