How do I determine which 1989 85hp Force motor I have?

[Coloradoskier]

I have an 1989 Bayliner Capri 17', with an 85hp Force Outboard motor. The numbers are completely faded off the engine ID tag. How can I tell if I have an L-Drive, or a regular Force motor?

I need to rebuild the powerhead. My compression is 100-90-100, and needless to say, the power isn't what it used to be.

I am the second owner of this boat, and have owned it since 1993. Other than replacing a fuel pump a few years back, the only work that had been done to the motor is changing the spark plugs every other year, and changed the fuel pump once. It still is pretty reliable, just can't pull a skier out of the water any more.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: How do I determine which 1989 85hp Force motor I have?

L drive comes out under the boat.The motor is inside an engine compartment.If it's hanging off the back of your boat it's a regular motor. Believe me you would know if you had a L (hell) drive.
Make sure your compression guage is reading right.It should be 150#
When doing a compression test you are looking for #s that are close.5# difference is not bad.Remove all 3 plugs and push throttle all the way open then do the test with a good guage.
Buy a can of Merc Power Tune. Follow directions it will help bring up compression.Jerry

 

[newbie4life]

Re: How do I determine which 1989 85hp Force motor I have?

Believe me -- you'd know if you have an L-drive.

Do you drive your boat out to the middle of the lake and it dies for no apparent reason? It's possibly an L-drive.

Does it not want to plane out? Quite possibly, MY L-drive.

How to fix it:

1.) Drive out to the middle of the lake.

2.) Pull Plug.

3.) Swim back.

Blasted thing.

 

[swfladad]

Re: How do I determine which 1989 85hp Force motor I have?

hi.i'm having the same problem,i have an 89 bayliner w/85hp force outboard,all i need to do is change the impeller but i need to know what the model number is.i can't find it anywhere.did you get an answer yet?