Looking at buying 1989 50 HP Force

[elark7]

I looked at a 1989 motor a few weeks back and am wondering if it is worth buying. It started and ran good. Did not pump water out like I an used to with the merc and evinrudes i own. Water came out the bottom below the prop and out of one of the bolts that hold the lower unit on. It also spayed out two holes on the back. It also leaked a lot of gas out of the front of the carb when shut off and was tilted forward. It comes with the controls and wiring. There was no plug to disconnect the wiring from the motor, is this normal? Is it going to be as easy to work on as a merc or evinrude or should i wait for an evinrude or merc in the 50-60 hp range.

 

[ljc1957]

Re: Looking at buying 1989 50 HP Force

Elark7, I'm no expert on Force motors but I don't believe they have a "tell tale" like your other motors. A lot of guys have installed them on their motors. My Chrysler leaks fuel after I tilt the engine forward. It may just need a carb kit. I believe the wires attach to a terminal on the left side of the engine. I think it all depends upon how well it runs and what the asking price is. Most guys say these motors are easy to work on and run well if maintenance is maintained. If it was a good deal, I'd buy it.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Looking at buying 1989 50 HP Force

Easy to work on.Most motors leak some fuel when tilted forward.Check for /water in oil in the lower.
Exhaust and water,most exits from the snout on the bottom.The holes on the back are for excess pressure.You might see a lot of water or just a mist.They are a bit harder on fuel.
They will last a long time if you take care of it.
No plugs.It's screwed to the side of the motor.Do a compression /spark test.Then if it's a good price. BUY.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking at buying 1989 50 HP Force

should i wait for an evinrude or merc in the 50-60 hp range.

This motor should be significantly cheaper than an equivalent Merc/JohnRude/Yamaha in order to be a good deal.

 

[RRitt]

Re: Looking at buying 1989 50 HP Force

Forces are cheaper to buy, cheaper to own, and - if properly cared for - last just as long as the other brands. HOWEVER - most marinas don't know how to properly care for them. They will ignore things that need to be looked at and set adjustments in the wrong place. When it doesn't run right they will blame the engine. It is not worth their time to learn either. Force owners are cheap, cheap, cheap. They want to pay chinese labor rates. SO ... if you own a Force then either maintain it yourself or learn to live with substandard work.

Which brings me to the next point. When buying a Force a lot of them have not had very good maintenance from either the owner or the marina. So check it out. They are the ultimate KISS motor and all the peripherals are cheap and easy to serives. A carb rebuild, a new impeller, a fuel pump, etc ... pocket change and one afternoon. Check the big stuff. compression, corrosion, shaft wear, head bolt & thermostat housing corrosion, frayed wiring, etc etc.

Its a DIY motor with mercury parts. Mercury is the worst company in the history of outboards when it comes to ongoing parts support after 10 years. So don't pay more than half of what you give for a johnny.

at least that's my 2 cents.

 

[elark7]

Re: Looking at buying 1989 50 HP Force

So is $400 a good price? It is very clean under the hood and runs very well on muffs. My only problem looking at it is mounting. Every motor I have done has screw mounts. This motor has bolt holes only, none of which line up to the holes already in the transom. Also, and I don't know how to discribe this what the parts are called but the space of the mount area, area that sits on top of the transom is really wide. Does anyone have pics of this motor mounted? I am wanting to make sure that sitting so far forward once bolted tight to the transom is normal.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Looking at buying 1989 50 HP Force

Yes $400 is a good price.

Most all motors look clean under the hood.

Yes the top of the mount is very wide, to accommodate boats with different thickness transoms.
This normally does NOT rest on top of the transom, but above it.
Mount the motor so the anti-ventilation plate is even with, or 1 inch above the bottom of the hull.

Use 2 of the top, and 2 of the bottom holes to mount the motor.

Correct BIA (boating industry of America) mount hole pattern:




Very important, since you are only running the motor on muffs, verify spark on each cylinder, and check compression on both cylinders, before you buy the motor.

 

[elark7]

Re: Looking at buying 1989 50 HP Force

Roscoe,
Thank you. I know both are getting spark as I was able to check with my timing gun. As for compression I will be going back up to make the deal and will check the compression numbers after it warms up (mis placed my tester over the winter and just found it, in of all places the storage compartment on my pontoon). I am guessing that both cylinders should be around 135. Would this be right? I am holding off on a manual until the deal is made and I have the motor in hand. I did check the local library's web page and it shows having the manual but was checked out until end of April. Thanks for the help.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Looking at buying 1989 50 HP Force

115-140 on the compression, as long as the 2 readings are with 15# of each other