FORCE 90 hp VALUE??????

[bluebrownie]

i am looking at buying a 90 hp 1990 Force outboard... any idea what kind of value these are...cost? also any tips on how decent these motors are? tx

 

[GrindKore]

Re: FORCE 90 hp VALUE??????

A good running, clean, and well maintained 1990 FORCE 90 I would say worth $1200 to $1800. My boat has 1990 FORCE 90, and it works well and it is easy to work on.

 

[bluebrownie]

Re: FORCE 90 hp VALUE??????

guy wants 400.00 for it... said it had one previous owner, well-maintained...swears there is less than 50 hours on it... going to look at it tomrrow... anything i should be focussed on...aside from starting it in the driveway?????

 

[GrindKore]

Re: FORCE 90 hp VALUE??????

Thats an awesome deal, I would buy one for that price even if it did not start simply for spare parts.

When you start it, make sure muffs are on and water is running. The impeller will shred itself in seconds if its dry.

 

[199675hpforce]

Re: FORCE 90 hp VALUE??????

Ive been looking for more power, i was tempted to purchase a brand new non current 2007 on ebay $3200. Anyone see a non current thats brand new and a deal?

 

[bluebrownie]

Re: FORCE 90 hp VALUE??????

Just checked the NADA book...says it's only worth 225.00 range..could that be accurate???? guy who is selling it is a retired guy, said he wants to upgrade the technology... gonna drop some real cash on a new motor...

 

[GrindKore]

Re: FORCE 90 hp VALUE??????

I look at it from parts perspective. To rebuild a power-head on existing FORCE 90 will cost me about $500, replace lower unit $600, having the spare part available when you wanna go fishing next morning is priceless.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: FORCE 90 hp VALUE??????

Force 1990 90 hp is a big bore engine--3.375 versus the 3.3125 bore 85 hp so it has about 2-3 cubic inch displacement more. I believe it also has the newer rubber coated reed blocks with more responsive reeds. Mine is a strong runner and never gives any problems except occasionally going through tilt relays. As a comparison, I have a Chrysler 90 with the 3.3125 bore. ON THE SAME 14 FOOT BOAT, the Chrysler 90 goes 45 mph. The Force 90 goes 55 MPH. Significant, don't you think?

I would be asking 1500 for mine but it is in excellent shape with no corrosion and a new motor on the tilt/trim.

Primary thing to check on the engine is compression on all cylinders. See: even if one cylinder is bad, the engine will still start and idle -- it just won't produce good useable power on the water.

So, pull all three plugs and while turning the engine over by hand, put your thumb over each of the plug holes. Each will either have compression and blow your finger off the hole, or not. If all three have compression then it is a go--especially if it has functioning tilt. That alone is worth the money. The only other thing to check is to be certain that the wires for the electronics are not dicked up. They all come down to a terminal board on the electronic mounting plate and are relatively complex. If they are cut or disconnected, that can be a time consuming job. That would be a bargaining point, not a reason to reject the engine though.

Again, example: When I got my 1990 90 without a lower unit for 100 bucks, all the electronic ignition wires (except trigger wires) were cut. It took me 10 hours to solder on working length wires and crimp on some terminals. To sort out the hook-up took a couple more.--even though the wiring diagram is on the top of the block.--But it was well worth it.

Even with one bad cylinder, it can be repaired for less than 500 if you do the work yourself so then, you need to decide if the engine is worth it to you.

Once you do get the engine, take nothing for granted and ASSUME that everything that can be out of adjustment is out of adjustment. Get a manual and set everything back to factory specs. Assume the water pump impeller is bad and change it, Change the fuel pump diaphragm and change the lower unit oil. Then, at least, you know where you are starting with an unknown engine.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: FORCE 90 hp VALUE??????

Like Frank and Grindkore, I too have a 90'/90hp Force.
It's been nothing but reliable for me. It starts every time and has never given me any problems. I estimate the hours on it to be just south of 350hrs. The compression is all north of 125psi and I've got to say....I'm pretty satisfied.
The boat it's mounted on is a 17-1/2' Capri and it moves the boat out great.
Given the terrible, awful, disastrous reputation of the Force motors and them being the mechanical anti-christ of the boating world establishment I wish I had something more negative to offer to all those who completely hate them...but I don't. ....it runs great and every time.
As for your deal, sounds like a good one to me. Check it out, follow Franks advice and you could have yourself a good, useable motor.
Keep us posted and if you buy it, post a few pics.
All Good
BP

 

[RRitt]

Re: FORCE 90 hp VALUE??????

twin 1988 85HP here. Every single year I have to dig deep into my pockets and pull out a handful of nickles to pay for maintenance. On average $50 per year per motor including batteries, fuel lines, and gas bulbs.

Never failed to start. Never quit running. Never left me drifting in the ocean.

One year I let the off-season gas evaporate and it left residue in the carbs. One of two engines ran rough and was hard to start until I pipe-cleanered the carbs. Another year I ran aground on the sanibel sandbar so hard that I had to wait for high tide. Ruined the impellers and I had to idle home. Paid a marina over $400 for a new pair of impellers and they messed up linkage and idle adjustments. If it wasn't for that mistake my annual maintenance would be more like $30. But it was a valuable lesson. If you own a Force then plan on DIY.

One of my neighbors is a big Merc guy. Another is Yamaha. Both of them look down upon my 2stroke Force. Both of them spend more money per year than I do in a decade. Both of them have been towed home (but never have I).

All in all .... I think pre-mercury forces are the best outboard a DIY person can own. They cost almost nothing to buy, they cost almost nothing to maintain, they are easy to work on, and if keep up with basic maintenance then they almost never break and last almost forever.