after rebuild, i need some suggestions

wraenking · Mar 9, 2004

ok, i am bringing my force 120 1998 down to get rebuilt within the next couple of days. when i get it back and all is in order, i plan on adding a water pressure gauge. possibly a temp gauge, but i have heard most of the time they are incorrect. i will change out the water seperator filter. make sure the overheating alarm is hooked up, because i never heard a buzzer when i used to turn my key to start the boat. anything else you guys can suggest, so i can avoid a rebuild in the future? most times i would get gas from land and mix the oil in the can before ading to boat. i got lazy and started getting it from the pier and then adding oil after the tank was full. is that bad? also, is there a way to add a oil tank/pump so i dont have to mix it? one more thing. when i flush my engine with frsh water, is it ok to put the muffs on, and then lower the enigine into the water to flush it? or does lowering it into salt water with the muffs on defeat the purpose? please, if you can add anything i would be grateful. the rebuild is around 1800, and i dont have that kind of money to spend all the time. lol' thanks guys

LubeDude · Mar 9, 2004

Re: after rebuild, i need some suggestions

Not to diss you, but I think I would invest the money you are going to spend on a different engine! Ever heard of feeding a sick horse? With all the problems people have with these engines, I think I would cut and run. Just my opinion though and if you want to fix this engine by all means go for it. As to the way you mix your gas and oil, at least put the oil on the tank before you fill it, that lets the oil mix while you are adding the fuel. Your practices may be why you are rebuilding your engine.

Just put in enough for six gallons and put six gallons in, then more oil, and more gas. You will get used to how much gas you are going to need eventually by where your guage is.

scotiany · Mar 9, 2004

Re: after rebuild, i need some suggestions

My factory Chrysler manual recommends running a 24 to 1 gas-oil mixture for at least 3 hours after a rebuild or if engine has been idle for a long period.

WhiteHorse · Mar 9, 2004

Re: after rebuild, i need some suggestions

I recommend a 24-25:1 (double oil mix) run for the first 10 hours of operation after rebuild on that model. Do not rev it over 3500rpm during that first 10 hours, but some periodic up and down between 1K-3500rpm is healthy for the break-in. A lot of depends on who is rebuilding the engine, and how they bore and hone the cylinders. A meticulous rebuild with the right equipment will be fully broke-in within 3 hours. The typical 1-cylinder bore "remanufacture" predominent out there, could possibly take a little longer. Regardless, it is better to be safe than sorry. Break that baby in with TLC and lots of lube. The better break-in you give it, the longer life it will give you.

wraenking · Mar 9, 2004

Re: after rebuild, i need some suggestions

thanks guys, anyone else want to chime in here?

rickdb1boat · Mar 10, 2004

Re: after rebuild, i need some suggestions

I'm with Lubedude!! Find another engine brand(Johnson, Merc, Ect) Trouble will follow you with that motor. Sorry, just my opinion. And I believe many others will agree. Use your money wisely...

wraenking · Mar 10, 2004

Re: after rebuild, i need some suggestions

ok, thats fine, but im in the middle of looking at buying a house, so a 8000 dollar engine is not in my future. i also was reading about yamahas having the same powerhead issues. im a firm believer in "if you taje care of what you got, it will take care of you" i obviously did some things wrong to make the powerhead go bad, so i live and i learn. so now i am asking for people to let me know what i can do to avoid this.

rickdb1boat · Mar 10, 2004

Re: after rebuild, i need some suggestions

Decarb often, use good well known fuel(87 octane) and break it in according to the factory instructions. Use stabilizer in the fuel tank and run the motor for 5-10 minutes to get it into the carbs, every time you store it for a long period of time(More than a month or two). Replace the water pump every year. Use a good quality oil from the dealer. Drain and refill lower unit every year. Anyone else have any more suggestions???

LubeDude · Mar 10, 2004

Re: after rebuild, i need some suggestions

After break in use a full synthetic 2 cycle oil. And use a synthetic lower unit oil also! Should buy you some time!

roscoe · Mar 10, 2004

Re: after rebuild, i need some suggestions

Make sure the carbs are not running lean. Pray, it has worked for me and my Force.

WhiteHorse · Mar 15, 2004

Re: after rebuild, i need some suggestions

Lubedude, I like the synthetics as well. I don't know why, exactly, but have had better luck with them.

wraenking · Mar 15, 2004

Re: after rebuild, i need some suggestions

thanks for the help guys. it should be done in less then 2 weeks. i cant wait. 1st thing will be to add the water pressure gauge, and hook up the overheating buzzer. i will break her in at 25:1 now do you guys always use synthetic? i usually use the 2 cycl stuff from walmart. i cant think of the name right now, but its a big blue container.

WhiteHorse · Mar 16, 2004

Re: after rebuild, i need some suggestions

I can ADVISE people to use synthetic oils, but can't make anyone do anything they don't want to, or don't feel comfortable with. I have a couple of firends that exclusively run the blueoil from Walmart, but they tell me the motor definately runs better at a 40:1 mix with that stuff, than it does at 50:1. I have made several buddy-boat runs with them out to Catalina and I can definately hear the difference from 10 yards off their bow. That might indicate a need for a slightly richer break-in mix like 20:1, or 22:1, etc. Bring along a wire brush and a extra set of plugs.

BrianTindall · Mar 16, 2004

Re: after rebuild, i need some suggestions

If the motor has not been done yet, use WISECO piston assemblies. These are not pressed in like the factory parts and will beter serve you. Both my 120's went south on me in the past 3 years. 1 at 550 hours and the other at 625 hours. These engines were not run hard, had Merc or Penzoil oil, and were always flushed. When the second went last fall, off they came! Total cost to rebuild one engine, replace cracked mounting brackets and a stator.....well over $3000 with me doing most of the work. For engines that have a limited parts supply, not anymore. Since the transom was rotted (thanks Bayliner!) it's getting a rebuilt transom with a bracket and a 225hp Johnson. I won't have to much of a problem getting parts for this one (but then again, who thought OMC would sink!).

weekender · Mar 16, 2004

Re: after rebuild, i need some suggestions

Originally posted by roscoe: Make sure the carbs are not running lean. Pray, it has worked for me and my Force.

Hi. Interesting posts. I have a 1987 Force 50 that had rebuilt carb. (stuck float). Out of shop it seemed to idle high, then drove for less than 2 minutes when seemed to run out of gas. Won't start but seems like it wants to. Shop says now one cylinder is dead (25% Compression) but claim nothing they did. Says my fuel line connection was lose and may have caused air in line. Can a misadjusted carb cause that kind of damage that quick?

wraenking · Mar 16, 2004

Re: after rebuild, i need some suggestions

he is using wise co pistons. 1st question i asked him. brian tindall, where are you at? i think my motor prob had less than a 100 hours on it when she went, but then again i only got one good season out of her. i will definitely look more into what oils to use, cause now im confused. lol thanks

after rebuild, i need some suggestions

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