Force 120 HP Broken Left Fin on Gear Case... Help!

[allern123]

I have a Force 120hp 4cyl 2 stroke outboard and went home to notice that a chunk of metal broke off from the left fin of the gear case assembly. I can't find the piece either. Are there any options other than replacing the entire assembly ($1500 part)??? Thanks for any help you can give.Nick

[roscoe]

A decent prop shop or fab shop may be able to cut a new piece, weld it on, and machine it smooth.Check with local marine dealers on who does this work locally. You can save some of the labor costs by removing the lower unit, draining it, removing prop, etc, then by doing the priming and painting when the repair is complete.

[allern123]

Roscoe, Thanks for the reply.I looked at the manual that came with the boat and it looks like when I remove that casing, a lot of parts will come with it? Is it easy to remove without having a lot of parts to have to put back in? (I'm not a wonderful mechanic )Thanks.Nick

[roscoe]

Lets start by clarifying what "fin" has broken. Are we talking about the large horizontal anti ventilation/cavitation plate that is just above the prop? How big is the missing piece? Is it from along the back edge, the side, etc.? If its a very small piece, you may be able to leave it alone. If larger, but would not interfere with installation, you might just ad a Doelfin hydrofoil to your motor to restore or improve your motors performance.Also, where are you located? Someone here may be able to recommend a shop near you.I don't know which manual you have, but its good that you do. What year is your motor? If you have the Clymers manual, then on page 442 there is a diagram of the lower unit for '95-'99 models, 120hp. Rest assured that all the parts you see in the diagram will come out as a unit, still attached to the lower unit. This includes the driveshaft and the shift shaft, and the waterpump assembly.I would remove the prop and trim tab, then drain the oil, then remove the lower unit. Leave everything else intact, atleast until you take it to a shop to see what needs to be done.You can use this "opportunity" to install a new water pump impeller, which you should do every year or two, regardless of amount of use.

[tigerfan]

i have a force 120 1994 modelran great till last year, been sitting sincehad impeller on water pump changed, routine maintence. now it runs hot within 20 seconds of starting. mechanic said must be some blockage but how could that have happened all of a sudden?thermostat was removed previously, think that let more water flow through. mechanic replaced thermostat when he replaced impeller. think if i remove thermostat, my problems will be solve like before?thanks

[Hooty]

Yo tigerfan, Welcome to tha board.That engine needs its thermostat. Running it to cold is almost as hard on it as running it to hot. c/6Hooty

[roscoe]

tigerfan Post a new topic with an appropriate title. More people will see it and be able to answer. And you will know where to look to see if anyone has answered you. Just replying to another persons topic doesn't work very well.Oh, by the way, I think I answered most of your questions on that other post you had replied to.This one: http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ul...=032239#000004