L-drive info needed in Norway

[Lage]

I v just bought my 1990 capri L-drive 90 HP. Probably the only one in Norway. 2 owner, always garaged. Looks almost new. I v posted some days ago on this forum and was told this is P. of ****.... Sell it before it breik.

All i know abaout the L-drive is that the commen mening is that it is ****. Does anybody know spesifick what the problems are with them? How can problems be awoided. Is this a produckt not testetd before it was sold? I havn t run the boat on the sea yet. And as is now. I dont know if i want to...... I m a car colector and have restortored many od things in my life. To me the L-drive looks like a good idea if it works.

Anybody have some mainteinence tipps and what to be aware of?

Thanks
Lage

 

[steelespike]

Re: L-drive info needed in Norway

I mentioned the drive line as one of the problem areas.I can't be specific except to say as I remember it involved the drive line components As I recall universals and splines being metioned. basically the driveline in general.I think there were problems with exhaust components.and cooling issues
I don't recall if the cooling was generic overheating or if L-Drive specific
problem.I seem to recall thermostats being nearly impossible to change.
The powerhead is basically from the outboard but there are components
dedicated to the L-Drive powerhead.I believe the crank is different.
You might do a search above using Force L-Drive in as many combinations as possible. You'll get hundreds of hits many having nothing to do with an L-Drive. If your patient you'll find some meaningful hits.
I can tell you the Starter in general is a weak point on Force motors.
There seems to be many many more Force posts regarding slow cranking
usually resulting in a starter rebuild/replacement.Is it a weak starter or
a motor that refuses to run more than others.You might try just using Force-L Drive on google and see what pops up.Again try different combinations.
We would be interested to hear what you find.good luck.

 

[Lage]

Re: L-drive info needed in Norway

Thanks foreyour reply. I v googel d the whole internet regardings this Forche L- drive. It is not mutch info out there. I v talked with the previous owner who had it in use the last 4 years. He replased the starter motor once and told me the boat worked perfekt fore him every time. Fore how many years where this L- drive produced? How many? Where they produced by Force? I see in E-bay there are some parts avaliebele. But not many. The Norwegian Bayliner import have never heard abaout a L- Drive...

I v got a hold of a complete ignition system and a lower unit for a forche 90 HP used lokaly. Dont know if any of the out board components wil fit the L- drive? Hopefully i wil never find out.
What kind of oil should i use in the L-drive?

Thanks Lage

 

[steelespike]

Re: L-drive info needed in Norway

The gearcase uses regular outboard gear lube.Powerhead TCW3 rated oil.

 

[a1machinista1]

Re: L-drive info needed in Norway

I just recieved a 1991 L drive and what i have found out is that the bad part of an L drive is the steering knuckle, I can start to leak and you take on water, And new ones are not available. also the powerhead/lower unit are rigid mounted so If you hit something hard enough you could rip the Ldrive out of the hull. I got mine for free so Im going to try it out. I also think it was atleast a good idea! Ill run her till she quits.

 

[bayliner12]

Re: L-drive info needed in Norway

ive had a 1991 120 hp L drive for 10 years now and believe me ive heard all the comments, basically its a problem finding parts since they were only made a couple years. personally i find it quite easy to work on and do all the work myself..ok maybe thats because theres no one else that will, there is one mechanic in town but his $ is rediculouse, just make sure you keep it maintaned, especially that u joint area, if you need any schematics or anything let me know. good luck