problem with Locked up 50 HP force engine

[hunterdace]

Hi to all . I am new to this forum and I am so glad to find it. I just bought a 1991 50 HP Force engine. 507X8D 2167...Turns out if I am right that it is an 1988. Thats no problem I dont care ...however it appears this motor is locked up. I built a stand and hung the engine and began checking it out and cleaning on it. No controls or cables/wiring are hooked up . I tried turning the flywheel by hand and it was frozen ... so I removed the plugs ....thinking that would eliminate compression which would allow it to turn freely . It still won't turn. Is there something I should be doing other than what I have tried? I was told the motor was Good and was running and was removed from a boat being sold to a buyer that had a motor and only needed the boat. I was assured that the motor wasn't locked up or anything...there just wasn't an easy way to check it out before getting it home . At 55 yrs of age you would think that I should have known better and I sunk a bunch of money in this engine . I will say it looks good and is fairly clean. Plugs were fairly clean with only a small build up of oily film ...much as I would think a 2 cycle engine should be . Any suggestions would be appreciated Thanks a million Dace

 

[hunterdace]

Re: problem with Locked up 50 HP force engine

Went and bought PB blaster today and laid engine on a pallet with plug holes upward and sprayed the devil out of the engine. Tried to turn it still no luck . I plan on trying same again for a couple of days. I call the guy I got it from and told him about the situation. His response was " I know that engine is good I helped him take it off......Blaaa....blaaaa. "; "I sure hope it works out for you". Welll yeah.......... so do I . Im so ignorant ...I just wonder if there is something I'm unaware of that I should be doing that I'm not . Any suggestions? Still hopeful .....Dace

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: problem with Locked up 50 HP force engine

Well, Dace, welcome to the real world. Every used engine sold was "Running when it was put away." Unfortunately, you were bitten. I gather that this was a cash only no return sale. If not, I would first try to return the engine. After all, you bought it as a running engine. Why bother with it? There are plenty more out there. BUT even if you can not return it, all is not hopeless.

Sometimes the oil gums up and appears to lock-up the engine and in that case solvents will loosen it up. But, I don't think you were that lucky.

If you are sure it is rusted inside, then do this: You would be surprised at how little rust it takes to keep an engine from turning. A thin film on the cylinders is all it takes. If the engine was sitting for a while in a damp environment, moisture can migrate up the exhaust and into the cylinders, thus starting rust. This usually will not happen if the engine was run with correct oil mix or if it was "fogged" for storage.

However, that's a moot point now. If you are not sure that rust is the culprit then read on below about the lower unit.

Keep using the PB. Switch off to WD 40. Sometimes the combination of different proprietary solvents works better than one.

It is extremely difficult to try to turn a tight engine, by the flywheel, by hand. Mount the engine on a stand or on the transom and using a strap wrench, if you have one, try moving the flywheel back and forth until it frees up. If you can't get a strap wrench, then try a big wrench on the flywheel nut. Once it frees up, then oil the hell out of it before you try to start it. If everything fails, then you have no choice but to remove the head and see exactly what the problem is.

It might be wise to remove the lower unit. Since the gears are always in mesh, if the lower is tight or bound up for any reason, the flywheel can not be turned.

For the future, ANY engine you look at, have the seller help you remove the hood and FIRST thing to check is if the flywheel can be turned. THEN: Everyone has spark plug wrenches. Remove the plugs and with your thumb over the holes turn the flywheel. It should push your finger off the plug holes. This will not give you a close estimate of compression but will tell you if there is some compression or none. These two simple tests will tell you if the engine is worth looking at or if it is a junker. If the seller objects, walk away.

 

[hunterdace]

Re: problem with Locked up 50 HP force engine

Frank

Thanks a million for your response. I really appreciate it ! Its really great to hear some other thoughts on the matter. In truth I knew something was a little fishy as the guy was to quick to trade. I still think I will be OK. As the Lord looks over little children and fools. The seller is gonna let me use his Manual to sort this out. I guess that was the least he could do. One thing I've learned in life is to not blame others for your mistakes and I knew somehow something was amiss on this deal. I will try everything suggested and pray for the best .

Thanks Again
Dace Hayes

 

[Fred T]

Re: problem with Locked up 50 HP force engine

DAce
We ahave all been bitten a time or two in our lives so I hope it all works out. Since I am one to usually overlook the obvioius I would check the following. Does the prop spin by hand? yes or no. If no then is the motor in gear? If yes then can you manually shift it to neutral? You mentioned that there are no controls hooked up to the motor and I am not to familiar with your motor.
Good luck.

Fred T

P.S.The time you spend fishing is not counted against your stay on earth...

 

[hunterdace]

Re: problem with Locked up 50 HP force engine

Hi Fred

The prop turns freely . Still no lock turning the engine. I am going to get the manual and drop the lower unit and see if that helps. I wonder if the starter would be strong enough to jolt the engine loose? Or would that be risky as to damage rings or the cylinder walls? Any way I know where there is an 1988 50 HP Force engine with a cracked block. I'm thinking about trying to buy it for a parts engine ; any idea what it would be worth ? It is a complete engine with lower unit and all. Thanks to you guys for your helpful input ....this is a great forum. Dace

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: problem with Locked up 50 HP force engine

First, the starter will not be able to jar loose the flywheel so don't even try it. The best you can do is damage the starter.

Second, a Force with a cracked block is a junk engine and worth no more than 50 bucks IF you have a use for some other parts. Don't let the owner/seller tell you that the lower unit is worth more than that alone, or the prop is good yadda-yadda-yadda. You have no idea of the condition of the rest of the engine and it may just be scrap aluminum.

Tell him that if he thinks it is worth so much, then part it out and sell on ebay. Actually, parts do bring more than complete engines, but that's if they are in good condition.

There are PLENTY of them around and sooner or later you will find one for the correct price. If you are HOT for it and can use some of the parts, then MAYBE go as high as 100 bucks--but in my opinion, that is stretching it.

Example: Buddy of mine just picked up a 1988 50 HP Force complete with controls but with no spark and with a broken cavitation plate for 20 bucks.

 

[hunterdace]

Re: problem with Locked up 50 HP force engine

Thanks Frank

That info helps alot ...saved me money I'm sure. Sounds like you have been there. He was asking $150 and I was thinking about it ...so I will wait this one out and see if it comes down. Thanks again... Dace


PS. I hear you on the starter deal...all I could see happening was possible damage; so I concur on your thoughts. Thanks !

 

[hunterdace]

Re: problem with Locked up 50 HP force engine

Well I dropped the lower unit yesterday and still engine wouldn't turn. Lower unit turns freely while in both forward and reverse...and very smoothly I might add. I was told to get a wooden dowel rod and gently tap piston to free it up . Is this a possible solution? This is to be done thru the sparkplug hole ... what do you think? Another ? should one piston beup as the other is down? (ie. one at TDC while the other is just the opposite; being a 2 Cyl. I'm not sure how the stroke works . It seems that neither is very far down the Cylinder as seen thru the sparkplug hole....is this normal? Thanks ...sorry for all the questions

Dace

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: problem with Locked up 50 HP force engine

You can try that with the wood, but really, you need to remove the head to get good access to the pistons.

The two cylinder engines have the crankpins 180 degrees apart so either one piston will be at the top while the other is at the bottom or both will be somewhere near the center. One will be travelling up while the other is travelling down.

 

[hunterdace]

Re: problem with Locked up 50 HP force engine

Does the engine turn clockwise or counterclockwise? By the way I took the head off and still couldn't get the engine to turn. I took a wooden block and a hammer and smacked the pistons. Still it wouldnt break free. I checked the cylinder walls and they look fine. There is no ring groove to speak of. Could it be a bearing that has seized? I have to salvage this motor so what is my next step? Thanks Dace