Force '89 125hp lacks power and top end speed

[Gearhard]

Update on today's findings. The jets are apparently not the specified size for my motor and application. Unable to fully measure the jet sizes and using a 3/32" (.937) drill bit as a test diameter, I found that the drill bit fit both jets similarly. Judging by the difference in fit, both appear to be approx. 0.101, as recommended for the upper carb. Both jets appear similar except that the bottom carb jet is stamped with 2 58. Is there a good way to check exact size? Or should I just try ordering the correct size jets and replacing them both? or are they unavailable?

Also, I have a Clymer manual that says the idle tube should be touching the front of the main nozzle. Top carb had tube almost in center of nozzle while the bottom carb had tube to port side but touching nozzle. Could this also be an issue or not? I appreciate any help that is provided, thanks!

 

[The Force power]

In your first post you said "it was running good a few years back" so if the Jets are clean & float sitting properly, the problem is not in the jets.

 

[Gearhard]

In your first post you said "it was running good a few years back" so if the Jets are clean & float sitting properly, the problem is not in the jets.

"it was running good a few years back" isn't the same as it's running GREAT. It seems the difference in jet sizes, from OEM jets to what are in the motor now, is greater than the changes in jet sizes from each adjustment for altitude, ie. .002" per 1500'/alt. IF someone was experimenting with jets trying to compensate for the low compression, for which I replaced the power head, I would expect some issues. I can't really think of another reason to not have the OEM jets.

It probably doesn't matter since the OEM jets are NLA.

I've had the motor about 5yrs and do not know the history of any previous work or adjustments on the 31yr old motor. I'm just trying to figure out any possible cause for the under-performance. I feel everything else has been tested and accounted for on the motor and this is something that is not to specs. A buddy said "it runs good, but not as good as any of the other motors that you've repaired or tuned". At this point, I'm just disappointed and frustrated.

I think it runs well enough to sell it. Thank you and everyone for your help and suggestions.

 

[The Force power]

You can check on ebay for the carbs. don't forget these carbs. were not used used on Force motors & sometimes these carbs are cheaper then a Jet.
Don't give up just jet

 

[The Force power]

I meant to say; "were not only used on Force motors"
check on fleebay

 

[Gearhard]

Took the Force out yesterday for a full day of running it, and things are still pretty much the same. Motor runs well thru full range except it is as though there's a governor preventing RPMs exceeding 4400 with a 15P prop. Hole shot is still weak. I am almost resigning myself to that being the best I can get from it.
Biggest problem now is I hit something hard under the water where there should only have been water. The result was a bent prop and the skeg broken off. Was able to slowly make it to a sandbar and replace prop with a spare.
The most important questions at this point is: can the skeg be repaired? And would a boat shop be capable of the repair? Are there other factors that should be addressed as well? Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[puffitu]

I had a broken skeg welded on onto a spare lower unit I bought my replacement engine with. Put all together and couldn’t be happier. Anything is possible if you didn’t beat any gears up too bad. These motors never left me stranded.

 

[Gearhard]

I had a broken skeg welded on onto a spare lower unit I bought my replacement engine with. Put all together and couldn’t be happier. Anything is possible if you didn’t beat any gears up too bad. These motors never left me stranded.

I don't think the gears took too bad of a hit. That skeg protected them, I hope. Did you have to dissemble the gear case to have the skeg welded?

 

[puffitu]

Nope-a good welder will do it right but make them aware that too much too close may damage seals. Keep oil in so it’ll absorb heat

 

[The Force power]

I hit something hard under the water where there should only have been water. The result was a bent prop and the skeg broken off.

Inspect the Prop-shaft to see if its bend, pay close attention to look for a wobble if you don't have a dial-indicator tool