Help with new buy!

[Phrogman]

I recently purchased an older boat (95) and it has a Mercury Force 120 on it. How do I find out what year this motor is? The guy I bought it from has no idea.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Help with new buy!

You can look it up here http://www.autorepairmanuals.biz/site/573683/page/599222
You will need the serial number.

 

[redfury]

Re: Help with new buy!

You'll find the model and serial number on the transom bracket.

My Force 125 has the model 1254x7b. I can't say exactly, but I think the number breaks down something like.... 125 (hp ) 4 ( number cylinders...this is the one I'm least sure of based on the other numbers I saw looking mine up ) x7 could be the model year, as mine is a 1987. There is an A and B version of this motor, I have no idea what the difference would be. Mine has tilt, perhaps the A version is manual.

I was hopeful that the 1993 serial number meant the year of manufacture, but I was incorrect. Damn them and their cryptic hexadecimals!

 

[Phrogman]

Re: Help with new buy!

Thanx alot guys I'll check it out tonight! Hopefully it's in the 90s lol

 

[roscoe]

Re: Help with new buy!

The 120 Merc/Force was made from 1990-1999.

The Merc/Forces used a different serial number system that matched up with the Merc system.

Should read something like OE103225.

Post what you find.

If it turns out to be a 90-91-92, there were a lot of variations in the engines ignition systems. You may need to post photos of the ignition components.

 

[Phrogman]

Re: Help with new buy!

There is nothing on the brackets and I honestly have no clue where else to locate the serial or model number

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Help with new buy!

If you post a picture of the motor with the cover off on the side showing the ignition system and of the trim/tilt motor assy., there are folks on this site that may be able to get it down to within a few years.

 

[redfury]

Re: Help with new buy!

This is what the ID plate looks like on my motor, it's on the port side ( left ) of the motor...opposite the T-N-T cylinder

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Help with new buy!

REDFURY That sticker is somethinmg almost all older Forces don't have.It falls off.Your lucky.
The a/b/c on the sticker is for minor changes in the motor and trim systems.
The stator and trim motor on some have different connectors and the a/b/c/ denotes those changes.Along with a lot of small things.
The boat and motor might be the same year.What kind of boat?Pictures please.J

 

[Phrogman]

Re: Help with new buy!

The boat is a 1995 Bayliner Trophy and I am almost positive that it came with a Johnson motor... The motor that is on it now is FORCE 120. I'll go take pictures here in about a half an hour and post them. I'll take pics of the motor with the cover on and off for you guys. There is def no sticker on this motor anywhere that tells me anything about what year it is. Thank you

 

[Phrogman]

Re: Help with new buy!

Here's some pictures I took

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Help with new buy!

Bayliner never used Johnson motors on their new boats.Fill out the profile,you might be close to someone who can help.
Your motor looks like a 95.
It probably came stock on that boat.
It's a good running easy to fix motor.Not as good on gas as as the Mercury Opti Max but not so bad.
Do a compression test,then a spark test.
Check the oil in the drive and if it has a fuel/water seperating filter remove it and see what's inside.
They make a good fishing boat.J

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Help with new buy!

Based on a couple of factors: It has old style Force transom clamps and power trim/tilt. It has older style Force ignition and flywheel. It has newer style Mercury voltage regulator and fuel pump. Force lower unit--around 95 Merc changed the midleg and lower unit to Merc style.

I would guess it at just around 94-95

Look at the ignition wiring decal on top of the block behind the flywheel. It MAY have a serial and model number. There may be a paper sticker on the starter mount with model number--I didn't see one in the photos though.

Like Jerry said: Bayliner never used OMC engines. Since Bayliner and Force were owned by the same conglomerate (which later bought Mercury or Mercury bought them--not sure which way), Force engines were a package with Bayliner boats. There is a good chance that your engine came stock with the boat and would be the same year as the hull or close to it.

BTW: That's a 25 inch shaft engine

 

[redfury]

Re: Help with new buy!

REDFURY That sticker is somethinmg almost all older Forces don't have.It falls off.Your lucky.
The a/b/c on the sticker is for minor changes in the motor and trim systems.
The stator and trim motor on some have different connectors and the a/b/c/ denotes those changes.Along with a lot of small things.
The boat and motor might be the same year.What kind of boat?Pictures please.J

It's on a Bayliner Bassboat. I'll take some pics later today, but I don't want to hijack the thread. I'll add them to my thread here ( first link in my signature below ).

 

[roscoe]

Re: Help with new buy!

Not a 1995.

Ignition system, blue coils and blue cd modules, terminal strips, were only used thru the 1991C model.

Starting with the 1991D model, thru the 1992C model, the ignition had a switchbox, no terminal strips, no cd modules.

You have the old fuel recirculation system that was used thru the 1992C model.

Old style tilt n trim pump, not used after 1992 I believe.

The carbs on the 1990 thru 1992C models, should be labeled as TC 106A and TC 107A.

On newer models, thru 1994, the carbs are labeled as TC119A and TC 120A.

Also, on newer models, they used a different tower shaft, yours appears to be the old style.


Best guess based on the components, 1990 -1991C model.

THe only thing that doesn't fit is fuel pump. The newer square fuel pump wasn't put on at the factory until after the 1992C models. But many motors have been retrofitted to the new pump over the years.

Check your carbs, but my money is on a 1990 - 1991C model.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Help with new buy!

Redfury, the first link in your sig is dead.

 

[Phrogman]

Re: Help with new buy!

So when buying plugs what should I go with... I know CDI has a coil that trumps all other coils but it leaves the plugs in question.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Help with new buy!

That is the Prestolite Ignition system (Blue coils & CD modules), which uses the boost gap surface discharge plug.

NGK BUHX stock# 2522.

Champion UL18V stock# 824.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Help with new buy!

You sure the boats a 95????Looking at the pics further.That side plate wasn;t used till 90/91 Probably not a 95.THe lower unit was changed in 95 to the Merc style.
Buy American when you can..UL-18V Champion.Their still made in the US right???

 

[Phrogman]

Re: Help with new buy!

Thank you so much for the help guys. And yes I am 100% sure the boat is a 95 it was just the motor in specific I was unsure about. Now when I change out those blue coils for the CDI coils on this websites part section do I still use the 2522 plugs?