Boat Motor ID and General Help Questions

[Arzakon]

Hi guys,

I am toying with the idea of getting a used boat to start out with, and think I came across a nice deal. I wanted an unbiased opinion, and some help IDing the motor that is on the boat now. The total package is a 16' tri-hull boat, unknown make, with a Chrysler 90HP Outboard and a trailer. Motor is claimed to be a 1979 model. The seller admits the motor starts easily but overheats after about 10 minutes, and says he has gotten an opinion from someone that he needs a new impeller is all it needs.

I have been looking at parts lists online for an impeller but can't find any listing for a 1979 90hp made by Chrysler. See the pictures below, I was wondering if anyone could give me an idea as to if it could be a different year, he is sending me the serial number tonight. Is there a good online resource for matching serials to model numbers?

In these Chrysler motors, is it hard to replace the impeller yourself? From what I read on the internet it doesn't seem too hard. I'm pretty handy with light repair jobs on my truck I would like to think, should this be something a Marina shop should do?

I also wanted to get a rough guess as to what fair market value is for the boat. Paint is fresh and the controls still work but there is no carpet, seats have been stored in garage. No real storage compartments except some under the seats, no livewell, etc. etc.

If anyone thinks they can guess the make and model of a 16' tri-hull from a few pictures of controls and the outside, Id post the pictures.... and be very impressed

Thanks a bunch, this place is always a bounty of information.

Thomas

[Yankee_Bassman]

Arzakon,

You have a PM.

YB

[flechero]

I know nothing about chrysler motors but you can call the MFR or whoever has the records and find out by serial number. I had an old merc, and with a single call to merc and the serial number found out it was a 70/71 model.

Google is your friend. ...lol

And just for the sake of mentioning this, why wouldn't you take off the prop when painting the motor?  

[Ben]

How much is he paying you to get the boat out of his way?  

Seriously, I would have serious reservations about buy an Old Chrysler.  They were built as low end motors and had their fair share of problems.  Parts for those things have to be hard to come by now

The reason you don't see them anymore, Brunswick (Mercury) bought them out, painted them black and called them a Force.  Still couldn't sell them so they added the name Force by Mercury.  Still not much of a motor.  Strickly sold as a low end motor so somebody like Bayliner can make a cheap hull, put a cheap motor on and sell the at a cheaper price to get the entry level buyers of new boats.

[Arzakon]

YB, Thanks for the help, PMed back.

flech, thanks, just not sure who I should call, as Chrysler Marine has been bought out twice since this motor was made, but that is the plan.  Not sure why the prop got painted green too, not my boat... yet.

Ben, I honestly think I could end up getting more for the trailer alone than he wants for the boat/motor/trailer itself, so it can't be that bad. I figure if I have the compression and such ok'ed by a mechanic, I can replace gaskets and the impeller myself with the service manual. I've found some resources for 70's Chryslers for parts, I just want to pinpoint the year. This really is a starter boat for me, I would prefer a wide 14' or 16' Jon Boat but I haven't found an inexpensive Jon Boat/Trailer/Motor combination anywhere within 200 miles over the past month and a half.

Thanks for all the help,

Thomas

[NBR]

Chrysler Marine was bought by U.S. Marine who named the motors Force as I recall U.S. Marine also had Bayliner as a boat brand.  Mercury bought the motor part maybe the whole thing I don't recall. Mercury still produces the Force engine as their low end product to supplement the Mercury and Mariner brands. Unless something has changed Mercury and Mariner are identical except for the paint jobs.

Force is different but you can probably get some information from Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac, WI.

I would have some concern about the engine overheating. How much damage might have been done? I consider replacing the water pump impeller every 3 to 5 years depending upon operating conditions a basic part of preventative maintainence. What other things hasn't the present owner done?

If I was paying much for this rig I'd have a competent mechanic look at the boat, motor and trailer.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I've seen more than one of those motors ruin peoples day.  They came on the Bayliner "trophy" series, but after a year or so, both the motor and especially the particle board based boat, fell apart.

Well known around here as.....Junk!!  Beware and god luck.

[Yankee_Bassman]

The Bayliner and Force arguments have been going on since around the time Noah was trying to figure how to power the Ark. Having said that, I'll abbreviate my .02 worth to this: I have an '86 Bayliner, with an 85 HP Force. The boat is on its last legs, no question. The motor is going strong. There's nothing wrong with low end motors, IF you do preventative maintenance regularly. My experience is that any brand of motor will become junk if it's not taken care of properly. I believe the higher end motors have a greater degree of tolerance for lousy care than the low ends do, but sooner rather than later, you're gonna feed the marine tech's family if you don't maintain your stuff.