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Many questions Force 85

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John Stone

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"Hello _ Many Questions... I j

"Hello _ Many Questions... I just purchased a 1970 Glaspar not sure of weight? Boat is in great shape for the year and believe it will work well for my need (striper/sturgeon fishing 3-4 persons) It came with an 85 HP Force not sure of year and wasnt able to locate model/serial # as of yet. Motor looks in decent shape. My best guess is that it is a 1986 in comparison to pictures Ive seen although it has a small chrysler symbol at back of housing. It is missing the key ignition switch which options do I have here? Also the old owner says he couldnt get it to turn over much without taking out the plugs. Bad starter? need specific replacement? since there is no key are there any reasons not to jump terminals on silinoid to test/start motor before spending money on fix? There are two sets of battery cables from motor, do both need to be connected? and if so, need two batteries? Prop is in bad shape and does not look to fit motor any suggestions on prop size and material? (not afraid to buy decent prop)and lastly not real familiar with force engines other than seeing a few broke down on water...Is this motor enough for this boat or should I fix and sell/part out?
any and all help would be appreciated. Hope to try starting motor in the morning to see if I need to look for new one. Paid only $300 for boat motor and trailer great deal and expected to need another motor but thought I should give this one a try as I was told it should run.
Thanks Much
John"
 
"John, can't find a weight

"John, can't find a weight listing at all for your boat - other similar vintage/style weigh in around the 2000 pound mark - and that would seem reasonable for an 18 foot fiberglas construction rig.

You load 3 or 4 people in that boat, with that motor, even if was in "new" condition and it would have a hard time pushing that rig. I would suspect that the boat would be rated for 125 horses or better and that 85 is at the extreme low end of what you would use with it.

Depending on what is wrong with the motor will determine whether or not it is worth fixing. The motors were never the greatest built, they are now long discontinued and parts can be difficult to find and expensive when you do find them.

I have been working on the rebuild of a 90 horse Force (1990 model) - rebuild the power head - almost 600 bucks (doing the work at home) - two ignition packs (retail at Merc for 1200 bucks - fortunately only 300 in the aftermarket), carb kit's, gaskets, add another 200.

All in price for parts, 1100 bucks - the labour was free. Personally, would I have spent that on a 17 year old Force, no, could have bought a decent 10 year old Merc for that and had enough left over for a seasons worth of gas.

If you are handy, grab a manual and check the engine out, but if it will require something more than a simple fix, I would part it out and hang something else off the back, and would make it quite a few more horses then what you have there now.

My 2 cents"
 
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