Force was dropped by mercury as a way to clean up thier motor line for emissions. All the Force's were cross flow motors, great idling, but were pretty dirty(as far as emisions go) and they drank fuel. The original Force engines were a development of the Chysler engines. Mercury marketed them on their cheaper boats to create a "value" line. They had problems with lower units and ignitions(they are still the hottest spark on any outboard). Merc replaced the trouble spots with merc designed lower units and ignitions. By the time they got it firgured out. Emisions were tighting up and it was easier to drop the line rather than redesign them. Tehy were simple motors, but by teh time they made them reliable, you might as well bought a Merc and enjoyed better performance. Oddly enough, I worked on a piar of 90 Force's today(on a 22 Angler). Youknow what Force stood for? F'ing Old Repainted Chrysler Engine
