How about some opinions? 89 85hp Force

[bradleeson]

So here is my story. I have been buying up motors and boats and fixing them up and selling them. I picked up this 89 bayliner capri with a 1989 85hp force with power/tilt and trim.

I am restoring a 1985 Starcraft FM160 16' Aluminum boat for myself that currently has a 50hp evinrude W/O power tilt and trim on it.

I think it would be nice to get a little more power on this boat, and to have the power tilt/trim. This boat is rated for 90hp.

Question is if I go through this force motor well and keep it well maintained, do you think I will still regret placing this motor on my boat? I have read many posts about Force motors, and I have no clue how the motor has been treated in the past. So with the assumption that it was not all that well cared for, will this motor bite me in the booty even if I know take good care of it from now on? Just looking for some opinions. thanks!

 

[timdan94]

Re: How about some opinions? 89 85hp Force

I have a 1985 85 hp force that I just purchased may of 08 and I have had it out on the water about 25-30 times with no issues besides it slipping out of gear at wot which I fixed in about 5 hrs. I'm happy with it. it starts easily and runs quite well.

 

[mthieme]

Re: How about some opinions? 89 85hp Force

Given a choice, Force wouldn't be my first choice.
The ones I've seen, are not as powerful as their counterparts and they don't seem to last as long as many other brands.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: How about some opinions? 89 85hp Force

I have a pair of 88/85hp Force on my boat and with regular maint.There has been no problems.As long as the shafts are the same length go for it.Jerry

 

[RRitt]

Re: How about some opinions? 89 85hp Force

The strength of Force outboards is same as strength of 1960 Chrysler. Cheap to buy, cheap to fix, easy to work on, last forever if you take care of it. Unfortunately, Chrysler almost went bankrupt in the 80's and had to put up their marine stuff for adoption. It finally ended up under the control of Darth Mercury who tried to turn the Force over to the darkside but couldn't. So instead Darth decided to kill the Force thru slander and parts attrition. Chrysler Force engines are still cheap to buy, easy to work on, and last forever if maintained. But Darth Mercury controls the parts and they aren't always cheap to fix.

If you have to rebuild one and buy parts from Darth then it isn't worth it.

 

[bradleeson]

Re: How about some opinions? 89 85hp Force

The motor is already running well, I just don't know how it was maintained in the past? That is my worry.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: How about some opinions? 89 85hp Force

I happen to be a Chrysler/Force afficionado. Frankly (no pun intended) speaking, the 85 will not equal the speed and power of other major brands but it will not be a dog either. You will probably be quite satisfied with it. The basic engine is dirt simple and easy to maintain.

When I have the choice because of boat size, I prefer the 3 cylinder engines to the 4 cylinder ones. My dream boat would be twin 85s or 90s on the back of a 21-22 foot cuddy.

HOWEVER: Even though you say it runs well, BUY A MANUAL. ASSUME that anything that can be out of adjustment IS! It is possible, for example, for these engines to run quite nicely with mis-adjusted carbs--that is, until they melt pistons. I could write horror stories all night about what previous owners had done to engines I bought.

So again get a manual (apparently Clymers is way better than Seloc), set everything back to factory specs and change normal wear parts ---WATER PUMP IMPELLER, fuel pump diaphragm, lower unit oil.

Now you will have an engine which in all probability will not let you down. I always maintain that Force engines are no better or worse than the others: Look at the number of posts on the Mercury and OMC forums. People are not writing because their engines are running really well.

I regularly take my boats onto the Chesapeake and cruise for miles. While I prudently carry a kicker engine for insurance, I don't worry about needing to use it and I only fire it periodically to keep fresh oil working through it. Last trip I took was for 8 hours and about 160 miles running time.

 

[bradleeson]

Re: How about some opinions? 89 85hp Force

Great Posts.... Much appreciated.... I think I might keep her and give it a try.

 

[maxum247]

Re: How about some opinions? 89 85hp Force

I have a 1989 125h.p. Force that has given me good service over last several years and hasn't left me broken down to date, the problems that I have had with it I mostly created myself when I first got the motor because I didn't buy a good manual and do my homework before doing repairs on the engine.