I have a chance to buy a late 80's 15 hp force outboard. How much?

[Krs1]

Someone I know has a force outboard low hours good working and looking condition always garaged and used a few weeks of the year in baja. How much should I expect to spend for a reasonable price

 

[roscoe]

Re: I have a chance to buy a late 80's 15 hp force outboard. How much?

$268.47

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: I have a chance to buy a late 80's 15 hp force outboard. How much?

If it runs around $200-300 Remember that it was in salt water.Then let set for a long time.
Probably gonna be fun to remove any screws or nuts.J

 

[Krs1]

Re: I have a chance to buy a late 80's 15 hp force outboard. How much?

Is this brand of outboards good motors? Also I heard some bolts tighten backwards and you need special tools to work on them is this true? Any advice when I go to look at this motor special things I should look for with this brand of motor. Thanks for all non sarcastic info.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: I have a chance to buy a late 80's 15 hp force outboard. How much?

I would say somewhere in $200-400 range, depending on what needs to be done to it.

I have the same outboard, but it's a 7.5HP, detuned version. I paid $350 for mine 3 years ago, it was in pristine condition.

- You want to make sure the ignition system has good spark on both plug wires as the BIM coils can go bad. I had one go bad and had to spend $150 for an ignition system upgrade.

- The fuel pump diaphragm is bad, or will be bad shortly if it hasn't been replaced all ready. Ethanol is hard on old rubber parts. It's an easy $10 fix.

- Baja, check for saltwater corrosion. My outboard came from San Diego and had a touch of corrosion on some of the bolts, but nothing serious or stuck bolts.

- Check compression on both cylinders, you are looking for an even number more than high compression. My 7.5 only tests out at 75# on each cylinder, but it still runs great.

- The impeller most likely needs to be replaced, every 2 years maintenance item.

- Check for water in the lower unit.

Be aware that Gamefisher/Force outboards haven't been made in about 15 years, so parts can be hard to come by and finding a shop to work on it could be tough. I do all my own maintenance and there is nothing I haven't been able to find yet, though it took me a bunch of searching to find a set of reeds for it.

 

[Krs1]

Re: I have a chance to buy a late 80's 15 hp force outboard. How much?

This helps but one thing is I'm a total greenhorn when it comes to motors and where parts are placed and how they run!!! I was a deck hand for some years in SD but have no experience with the mechanical parts. How do you check the compression and is there a place online to find a diagram of the parts and labeling of the engine.

 

[beckspop]

Re: I have a chance to buy a late 80's 15 hp force outboard. How much?

This helps but one thing is I'm a total greenhorn when it comes to motors and where parts are placed and how they run!!! I was a deck hand for some years in SD but have no experience with the mechanical parts. How do you check the compression and is there a place online to find a diagram of the parts and labeling of the engine.

www.boats.net will get you the layout, but there are cheaper sites like this one. Shearch the forum for "compression test"

 

[fishrdan]

Re: I have a chance to buy a late 80's 15 hp force outboard. How much?

use the search function and look for compression test, lots of good threads about it. Basically pull the plugs, screw in the tester and pull the engine over 4-5 times, see what the gauge reads.

You asked if these outboards were "good". Most people consider them a "budget" outboard, and with the lack of support for parts and service,,, not desirable. I wouldn't have bought mine if I had to take it somewhere to have it worked on.

Sears has a schematic of the outboard, but you will need the Sears model number. Crowley Marine also has a schematic and parts listing for "Sears" outboards. Sears is expensive so I won't buy parts there. I've bought parts here at Iboats, Crowley or Ebay. If you do get it, replace the impeller, lower unit gear lube and fuel pump diaphragm right off the bat as routine maintenance, $25-30.