Which lower units will fit a 1988 85HP Force

[mikmic2]

I was just hoping somebody would be kind enough to help answer one main question, and if you could take a stab at the rest, I would greatly appreciate it.<br /><br />I just bought a Glastron bass boat with a 85hp force engine. (insert pity emoticon here)<br /><br />It's got a 85hp force. Model 856X8A. But it doesn't have a lower unit.<br /><br />From this sight I learned it was a 1988??? Local shop said they didn't even have any force manuals or books left to tell me the year. <br /><br />Here is my main question.<br /><br />What years and horsepowers lower units will work on this?<br /><br />The local shop told me he thought that 1983 to 1989 were the same, but he said he wasn't sure. I was also wondering about other horsepowers, as I have a line on a 1988 50hp lower unit, but didn't know if it would work. But I can get it for pretty cheap I believe. <br /><br />I also have a line on a 150 HP lower unit, but I don't know which, if any, will work. <br /><br />Anybody have a clue?<br /><br />Main question finished.<br /><br /><br />Miscellaneous questions forth coming.<br /><br />Why does it seem that there is plenty on this site about problems with this particuliar lower unit? <br /><br />Is there something I should know about these? <br /><br />Does that shift linkage bellows like to leak?<br /><br />Well... I've heard the power heads are crappy on these motors, I might as well have an engine that has a crappy lower unit as well. <br /><br /><br />I hope not. LOL<br /><br />I figure if I can get this one going for a couple hundred bucks I might as well see how long she will last, provided she passes the compression testing tomorrow.<br /><br />What should one expect to see for a compression reading, for a pretty tight engine, besides the cylinders being pretty even?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Which lower units will fit a 1988 85HP Force

Welcome to iboats BBB.<br /><br />Lower unit from a 1984-1989 60, 85, or 125 hp should work.<br /><br />90-150hp will not work as it has a 2 piece driveshaft.<br />40-50hp will not work, too small.<br /><br />Most Force motors were sold on introductory model boats to novice/beginner boaters. Both boat and motor suffered from lack of maintenance and proper operation due to owner ignorance. So there are more failures when things are not maintained. Yes the seals/bellows leak. They need to be replaced just like any part that wears or ages.<br /><br />These lower units turn up on ebay quite frequently.<br />Don't buy one on ebay from a seller in Texas, known as "outboardpart". HAve had trouble with him in the past and he doesn't know mush about what he sells in my opinion.<br />Most are beat to shyt. Be carefull who you buy from. Expect to have to replace the waterpump and a few seals on any lower unit you buy.<br /><br />If you need parts, many are available from any Mercury dealer, or from aftermarket parts suppliers, like here in the iboats mall.<br /><br />Good Luck, keep us posted, and ask any questions that you may have.

 

[mikmic2]

Re: Which lower units will fit a 1988 85HP Force

Thank you for the quick reply. I will let you know what I find out.

 

[mikmic2]

Re: Which lower units will fit a 1988 85HP Force

I was informed today that the X in my model number of 856X8A means that it is a extra long shaft. They said it was the 26 inch lower unit.<br /><br />Can anybody confirm this?<br /><br />I don't have any lower unit to measure. <br /><br />How would I go about figuring out what I actually need?<br /><br />I measured my transom and it is about 21 inches. <br /><br />So why would I need the 26 inch lower unit?<br /><br />Is it possible somebody had put a different lower unit on this motor, for this boat?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Which lower units will fit a 1988 85HP Force

The "x" may or may not designate a 25"shaft length.<br />Force model numbers were very hard to decifer accurately.<br />I think the "x" was also used to designate a particular boat manufacturer that the motor was built for.<br />Not knowing if this was the original motor on this boat, or if the lower unit was changed, etc, it is hard to say.<br /><br />If your transom measures 20-21", then you can use a lower unit from a long shaft motor. <br /><br />If the transom measures 25-26", then you will need to find one from an Xtra long shaft motor.<br /><br />I looked your model number up on the Mercury parts site, and it listed both a 20 and a 25" shaft available.<br /><br /><br />

 

[mikmic2]

Re: Which lower units will fit a 1988 85HP Force

Thanks Roscoe,<br /> I've got one on the way, and it does appear to be a 21" shaft. <br /><br />I was also told that the "X" means it was made for Bayliner. Don't know for sure, but that is what I was told.