Shes DEAD

[lillbush]

Hello everyone. As most of you know I have been working on my boat for about 3 years now. The other week I finally got it all going. Took it to the lake, put her in..And she floated Then I went to start the motor and it wouldnt fire. So I put it back on the trailer and towed her home. The other night I decided I would try to figure out why. Adjusted the carbs Put fresh gas in. Still nothing. I did a pressure test to the lower unit and sure enough it leaked. So I rebuilt that yesterday. Put it in lastnight and still nothing. Then tonight I just pulled the motor put it in the garage. Started taking off parts and water started flowing from everywhere. Then bearings started falling. The #1 Rod broke and I guess hit the block and noew my #1 cylinder is cracked and scratched all up. I could just about cry. Is there anything I can do? Or will I need a whole new block? Where can I get one? It is a Force 125 HP Ldrive.

Thanks guys
Matt

 

[azlakes]

Re: Shes DEAD

... well that blows dood, sorry to hear that. give these folks a ring and see if they can get you some help, parts or a new powerhead.

http://franzmarine.com/

hang in there

 

[GrindKore]

Re: Shes DEAD

Ouch, I'm sorry to hear that man. This gotta suck big-time especially after spending time getting your boat restored.

To be honest with you, with this kind of extensive damage I would seriously consider re-powering with a newer 4-stroke motor. By the time you spend all the money and effort of getting existing FORCE back to life, you would be half way to a nice 4 stroke motor with better fuel economy.

Also, you can probably sell parts off your existing FORCE on e-bay to recover some ca$h.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Shes DEAD

Sorry to hear the bad news. Gonna post this so when people do a search in the future hopefully somebody will see this. Compression test first then go from there. If you had done a compression test first and found out you possibly had $1500 worth of damage you may have given up there and spent the other money you did. A compression tester is only 30 or 40 bucks and will pay for itself quick and also removes a lot of worry and doubt. L drives are a problem and parts are almost impossible to find. Do as mentioned and cut your losses and get a Johnson or a Merc.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Shes DEAD

Sorry to hear the bad news.

But he has an L-drive.
He can not use any other powerhead on that boat.
The only real option you have, other than replacing the powerhead, is to tear apart the transom, and build it up so it can hold an outboard.

Lots of work either way you go, but those are the options.

 

[gregmsr]

Re: Shes DEAD

Ok, anybody know what the most popular, easiest, model/brand of O/B to swap with a Force 125 hp? There's all types out there, what would be the best option?

 

[bayliner12]

Re: Shes DEAD

like roscoe said, its an L drive you cant replace it with a different motor, teh power head is not all that hard to rebuild though, just upgrade your pistons

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Shes DEAD

As I understand it from an old Chrysler dealer, the Force L-Drive engine crankshaft is balanced differently than the outboard version. HOWEVER: The block is the same. Mounting bolt pattern is also the same. So: I would buy a used block and swap your crank into iit.

However: Never trusting what I have "heard" I would be certain to measure the bearing if at all possible, journals before buying.

If you decide to junk your engine, PM me. I would be interested in the crank to measure it against a regular 125 crank, just to see if there really is a difference.

 

[TowRoper]

Re: Shes DEAD

to bad its not a 120 hp i have a block and head crank rods, carbs realy the whole power head needs bored and pistons, rings. just pay shipping

 

[WHITEINDIAN]

Re: Shes DEAD

Sorry to hear the bad news. Gonna post this so when people do a search in the future hopefully somebody will see this. Compression test first then go from there. If you had done a compression test first and found out you possibly had $1500 worth of damage you may have given up there and spent the other money you did. A compression tester is only 30 or 40 bucks and will pay for itself quick and also removes a lot of worry and doubt. L drives are a problem and parts are almost impossible to find. Do as mentioned and cut your losses and get a Johnson or a Merc.

not really a tell all a compression tester is....... i had 140-45 ish in my cylinders and then i thought i had a bad gasket because i was cleaning a plug, took the head off and i have a HUGE gouge in the top cylinder....... FINISHED but the compression was good. funny thing now is after changing the gasket i got an etra 5 pounds in each.