HELP!! 1998 FORCE 120 (125 hp) L-Drive HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT!

Hey Everyone,

okay, so i bought a 1989 Bayliner with a 120 FORCE 125hp L-drive engine Outboard. The previous owner said i need to replace the head gasket. I have never done this before. I have ordered the service manual for my 1989 120 FORCE 125 horse power L-drive engine. I have also ordered a torque wrench set. Other than days of research online, i have yet to find any info or general step by step insturctions on replacing the head gasket!!!! Please if anyone can help me, i need to know what tools i will need, what i need to do to get the head off and access the gasket that needs to be replace, and what things to be aware of. If anyone has anything to help me i would greatly appreciate it. Pics help too. thanks guys!

Re: HELP!! 1998 FORCE 120 (125 hp) L-Drive HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT!

The manual should be all you need it will list the tools needed if you run into problems create a thread here and we will do what we can to help, ive never done a head job on a boat before but im assuming its the same process as a automobile and ive done quite a few of them, take it apart get the head to a machine shop for inspection to make sure its not cracked or warped beyond repair if it is and u dont have it resurfaced tochecked you'll just blow the gasket again and to resurface it, then put it have together its a fairly easier deal, not as complicated as it seems. GOOD LUCK!

Edit: to give a quick description what a blown head gasket is its just the gasket the keeps the water out of the combustion chamber when you overheat the motor the head warps ever so slightly and the gasket fails then letting water come into the head and fill up the cylinders the problem with outboards is, if the salt water was not cleaned out and sat in the cylinder (cause it uses the water its run in to cool the motor) it will likly corode and rust the engine and cause nighmarish damage most of the time resulting in alot more time and money invested! be very careful!!!

Re: HELP!! 1998 FORCE 120 (125 hp) L-Drive HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT!

Thanks! I will be working on the boat as soon as i get the manual. Do you know if i can check the head myself for cracks and/or if it needs resurfacing?
I read that you use a straight edge and lay it flush against the head (not sure if it's the top side or under side of head) and see if it is level. is this correct? Also, I read that you can use some crazy expensive tool that has a diamond tip you scrape along the head to see if it has the right amount of friction and all that BS...not sure if i have to do that. it only tests the surface and tell you if you need resurfacing.
Again, thanks for the reply and i will keep posting my updates.

regards,

Tim

Re: HELP!! 1998 FORCE 120 (125 hp) L-Drive HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT!

its best to get it resurfaced the factions of a portion of a milionth of a cm can cause damage and your not going to see that with your eye spend the 100$ to get it resurfaced..and inspected... its worth the peace of mind trust me you want that on the water..

Re: HELP!! 1998 FORCE 120 (125 hp) L-Drive HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT!

So what part should i resurface? The top head that i took off? or should i resurface the mounting that the head rests on?

Thanks!