Top-Guided Force motors

[brichter]

Does anyone know what year Force (3-4 cyl.) went with a top-guided crank train design?
I am thinking it was 1995 but I am not sure.......
......or were all Brunswick Forces top-guided?

[wolfgang]

Maybe I misunderstand your question, but having worked on the Chryslers as well as having flogged 2 Force (albeit pre-`95) blocks recently, I see no difference whatsover in the design between Chrysler and Force 3 and 4/5 cylinder engines. The top ball bearing provides the axial location of the crank. Presumably this is why it comes with the crank (as a replacement assy.), although already in the `60s we regularly replaced that bearing with aftermarket items.

[wolfgang]

On second thought, if you are talking piston and con-rod assy., I came across that problem when studying an older Wiseco catalogue some time ago. Must check at home - right now its office hours.

[brichter]

Wolfgang, Top-guided has nothing to do with the upper bearing, It means that the piston end controls the location of the connecting rod and the crank pin end of the rod floats like the merc inlines always were.

[wolfgang]

agreed Bill - hence my reference to the Wiseco catalogue, which did list the requisite goodies separately, and thereby would allow cross-referencing to year of build. Didn`t get a chance yet to have another look at the old catalogue, though.
I do remember, that a number of major design changes were effected in 95/96, which included an upgrade of the top crank main brg., as well as larger diameter big ends and quite possibly top guided con rods. Ignition became fully "Mercurised" too. Therefore anything post `96 is nice to have. I own a 120 hp `98 model with less than 20hrs running time, and a possibly `91 model 150 hp, which used to be mercmack`s personal engine. If I sent you a pm with a photo of the cowling, would you be able to identify the model year?