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    Performance differences between older and newer Force 4 cylinder lower units

    Just an FYI.....I've experimented over the years with different lower units on my 1988 Force 125HP motor. Switching from the earlier 1.73 :1 ratio 4 cylinder lower to a 2:1 ratio 3 cylinder 85HP lower really woke the motor up. Had to switch props though. Had to go to a higher pitch prop...
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    drive shaft seal "topic disapeared"

    Can't say 100% for sure but it may be the drive shaft seal that goes right under the water pump where the drive shaft comes through the top of gear housing. It prevents water from entering the top of the gear housing and getting on the upper drive shaft bearing. Having said that, a lot of the...
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    Wish my wife had one of these.

    I knew I should have looked this up before I married my wife....LOL! Actually I think I did pretty well.....
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    Thanks for the info Frank A.

    Just wanted to say thanks for your tip Frank A. for information regarding changing the 1988 125HP 1.73:1 lower end to a late eighties 2:1 85HP lower end to increase performance. Did exactly that a week or so ago on my 1988 Bayliner Cobra 18.5 w/125HP. With the original lower end, 17p stainless...
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    Ignition system upgrade?

    I have a 1988 125 HP motor that I rebuilt 3 years ago ( thanks to help from this forum) and mechanically, has been performing flawlessly. Had a few issues with the Prestolite ignition system (Blue coils and CD units). It was a bear to trouble-shoot. Wires everywhere! Plus when I look at all...
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    Changing prop pitch

    Has anyone had a prop re-pitched and had it perform like a prop that was manufactured in the same pitch? The reason I ask is I have a stainless steel 19 pitch cupped prop re-pitched to a 17. Will a 19 pitch prop re-pitched to a 17, perform like the identical prop that was manufactured as a 17...
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    Spark checker/CD module grounding rig

    Just thought I'd throw this out there. Checking the ignition systems on these Force motors (actually, any outboard) is somewhat cumbersome at times. Holding the spark plug wire against the block to check for spark can be a shocking experience LOL. Grounding the CD modules when cranking to...
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    Old style fuel pump kits

    Has anyone tried to buy the older style fuel pump kits for the four cylinder Force motors in the last few days. Like the ones that came on the 1988 4 cylinder motors? Everyone seems to be out of them. There's a few that do have them for about double what you used to be able to get them...
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    What's wrong with this picture?

    Here's a picture of some workers finishing up installing some steel pole barriers to prevent vehicles from parking too close to a business. Notice where their work van is parked. Notice where the poles are placed. http://ep.yimg.com/ip/I/cuecomponents_2055_54532
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    Motor modifications

    I had a 1988 125HP motor that developed a water leak in #1 Cylinder. Tried for months to fix to no avail. Had block and head machined, but didn't do any good. Came to the conclusion that leak was somewhere in the crankcase itself. Ended up getting a 90's 120HP block. Put the internals from...
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    Force flywheels

    I have a question regarding flywheels from different year motors. Will a flywheel from a 1999 120HP fit a crankshaft from a 1988 125HP? I'm looking to upgrade my ignition system from the older 1988 era blue CDI boxes to the late model Mercury type ignition. My concern is the angle of the...
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    Carburetors 1988 vs 1994

    I have a 1994ish 3.375 cylinder bore block that has some early model 1988 carbs on it that originally came on the 3.312 cylinder bore blocks. Don't ask how it ended up this way. Very long story. Anyways, the motor runs great but I have two questions: 1. Would there would be any improvement...
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    Force Dark Blue paint

    For those of you looking for some of the dark blue Force/US Marine paint. I found a color that comes pretty close to the original factory shade. It's from a 2000 Ford F-series truck. Paint code KQ or LL. I ordered some from a an automotive paint shop. I've tried both and can't tell any...
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    Force ignition and spark plugs

    I ran into a problem the other day and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on what happened to me. I have a 1988 125 Force. I've done quite a bit of work to get it mechanically sound. Compression 150 LBS+ on all 4 cylinders, fuel pump and carbs all re-done. Runs great..... until...
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    Small bore vs Big bore

    I have a 1988 125 HP engine with a possible cracked block. I found a 1995 120 HP bare block. Has any one tried to switch the guts (crank, rods, bearings, seals etc) from a small bore 3.312 (1988 125 HP) cylinder block to a big bore (1995 120 HP) 3.375 block? Other than the piston diameter...
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    Water in #1 cylinder

    Been fighting this problem for a while now. #1 cylinder getting water in it. Had block and head milled. Replaced the head gasket several times. Compression in #1 is 145 LBS. 2,3 and 4 are between 150 LBS and 152 LBS. Verified good strong spark. Last time I took the head off, #1 combustion...
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    1988 Force 125HP question

    I have a question about item 111 in the attached link to a diagram. It is described as "Tube & Pin Kit". What's it's purpose? Looks like it is located around the exhaust cover. Are they necessary? http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury_parts/1258/110.cfm
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    Force crankshafts

    Found a place in Seattle, WA that will repair Force (as well as other brands)outboard crankshafts. http://www.occcranks.com/index.html. Has anyone had any experience with them? They don't say exactly how they repair bad journals though. Some type of "tool steel rebuild process". Might be an...
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    Strange 88 125 problem...maybe

    Not sure if this is a problem or not. I have a 1988 125HP force.S/N 1254X88C. Last year I ran the motor w/no indications of any problems. At the end of the season last year just before storing the boat, I replaced the impeller. Tested w/hose hooked up and appeared to pump more water out of...
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    Force 125 Rectifier

    I have a 1988 Force 125 S/N 1254X8C on a 1988 Bayliner Cobra open bow. The charging system is not regulated. It has a rectifier P/N 152-9209. At WOT the volt meter is pegged at 16+ volts. At idle it reads 13.5 - 14 volts. Seems normal for a non-regulated system. I want to add a fish...
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