Do I have to?

[Redfred1]

Had to replace the motor on my Bayliner 1600.(Force 85 cratered; replaced with Evinrude 100. The rack and pinion was bad anyway (excessive play in steering}. The old rack was a Teleflex;. Will the Uflex rack system work? My boat guy tells me that I will have to pull the motor. I also need to change the throttle cable at the same time .He quoted me a price of $1250 P/L. Sounds high to me. Any opinions? RF

 

[gddavid]

That sounds a little high to me. He may have to lift the engine up to feed the steering cable through the steering/pivot tube depending on the configuration of your splash well/transom. I would expect a price closer to $600-1000 for parts and labor but this is his busy season and he can probably get away with charging a premium. I would be particularly concerned about the motor's mounting bolts being sealed up well as it goes back together to prevent transom damage.

 

[GA_Boater]

Did your boat guy do the motor swap?

 

[Redfred1]

Yes he did. He is one of a few that would look at the Force around here. He did do a good job on the swap out and he knew about the about the steering. My thing is the old unit is Teleflex; but it will take a shorter cable. The back measurement from side to motor center is 41".

 

[GA_Boater]

And he didn't recommend doing the steering while the motor was off? Telex, Schmelex has nothing to with this. And he took a Force motor off- He doesn't have to know a thing about a Force to take one off.

 

[batman99]

As I read your post (about swapping a broken Force engine) with different brand of engine, it reminded me of one of my very long posts. re: http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engin...board-any-tips

As seen in my previous long post, swapping original engine with different brand of engine is both time consuming and complex. Like for like engine swap would have been much simpler. And while doing this major task, little improvement tasks are also added in - like replacing sloppy steering, installing Keel Guard, installing Fish Finders, etc. etc. If into DIY tasks, the saved $1200+ can used on other improvements. If not a DIY type person, then $1200+ is money well spent. Especially when replacing with much different brand of engine - which uses different controls, different wiring and different gauges.

While "in the shop", do take the extra time to improve its sloppy steering and do other desired improvements as well. Glad I took the extra time for the extras - during my broken Force engine swap.

Hope this helps.

 

[Redfred1]

Good reading 99; am going to send you a PM.