Yamaha stern drive questions/

[ol inboard]

Yamaha stern drive questions/

I've been watching the forum on and off for a while and decided to jump in. I just bought a "project" deck boat with a 4.3 v6 / Yamaha outdrive. This is my first experience with any i/o. (I mess around with old inboards)...Sounds like the Yamie outdrive isnt the best choice, but I guess I need to play with the cards Ive got right now.

I dont even know that there are any problems with the drive yet.. We are in the process of getting the engine started and as soon as weather breaks, plan to take her for our maiden cruise attempt...probably 5 or 6 weeks away. I just got a Clymer manual on it and it sure is going to help, but still may run into issues?
ie..I cant find the Yamaha Gear Case Lube recomended for the drive, can I substitute someone elses?

Any info/ help/ hints, etc are sure appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Yamaha stern drive questions/

Re: Yamaha stern drive questions/

Mobil 1, 75W90, or about Any of the Syn-oils will work just fine....

I'm sure that Capt. Ken will find you,... He seems to be the "Go To" guy for the Yamahas......

You might consider getting this thing Running,........
And Dumping it Before it Bites you in the A**...............

If you want an I/O,....
You Almost can't go Wrong with the Volvo's or the Merc.s.............

 

[ol inboard]

Re: Yamaha stern drive questions/

Re: Yamaha stern drive questions/

Thanks for the input.., Supreme Mariner,
It wasnt a matter of wanting an i/o ,.... I have a 64 Correct Craft and a 62 Higgins, both straight inboards.. Problem is,being 16' and 17' respectively, there is no room for "extra" people . ..hence the project deck boat....(Im still trying to figure out a way to make it a straight inboard )

I dont have a lot of money in this boat right now , and hope to run it , to see if I even like this or any other "barge". .... Are the problems with the Yamaha in their design/ (do they have inherent problems)...or the fact its hard to get parts?

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Yamaha stern drive questions/

Re: Yamaha stern drive questions/

I have a 1991 Larson All American 190 that has a 4.3L V6 Yamaha with Yamaha outdrive too. I have only had mine for a year, but it was checked out before I bought it. My understanding is that if you just maintain it, it should be fine. It can get pricey to replace parts, but I think you should be able to subsitute parts. I have that same manual too and have referenced it a few time. It's a little lite in some area, in my opinion. My first test is going to be; I have to replace the water temp sensor.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Yamaha stern drive questions/

Re: Yamaha stern drive questions/

Relax, not as bad as everyone makes them out to be. Dvan, not a problem with the sensor. Just a standard marine sensor.
The units was very well designed but ya got to figure that the last one built was in 1990. Yeah, I know you will see them thru the 95 model year, but that's because the boat builders stock piled them for later use.
Gear oil, use the regular Hypo 90 or the Mercruiser synthetic like I do. Risers use to be a problem but I have two pairs sitting on the shelf currently. A lot of the parts we use to not be able to get, we can get direct from Japan and usually faster than from Atlanta. Most of the fast moving parts I keep in stock.

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Yamaha stern drive questions/

Re: Yamaha stern drive questions/

Capt Ken, thanks for the information. What are the most "fast moving parts" for a Yamaha? What is the most common failure, if there is one?

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Yamaha stern drive questions/

Re: Yamaha stern drive questions/

Like every other drive made, shifting. We carry the lower shift cable, gaskets and such for repairs. Some trim hoses that like to leak, water pump repair kits along with various gaskets that can't be found elsewhere. Then there's the spare parts pile upstairs from many disassembled used units.

 

[ol inboard]

Re: Yamaha stern drive questions/

Re: Yamaha stern drive questions/

Thanks for all the input so far! We got the 4.3 fired ..only ran it for a few seconds, but it sounds good . We did run into another problem tho..found an external crack in the block from not being winterized...(between #4 and #6). Hoping its the only one. We ground the crack out a little, drilled both ends,and used good ol JB Weld...
Im planning on pressure testing the cooling system this weekend to see if any water intrusion in the oil from internal cracks...not sure what else to try?...

Capt Ken, are most parts still available from Japan ,if you dont carry them? If the engine scopes out , I know I will need a rubber exhuast bellows....something you have?.. new/used?

Thanks again!!!

 

[ol inboard]

Re: Yamaha stern drive questions/

Re: Yamaha stern drive questions/

Abandon Ship!!!??

Along with the motor,I knew I needed to test the exhaust mainfolds for cracks also..but wasnt too worried as I thought I had a spare set, but no luck.... if one or both of these manifolds are cracked,does anyone have good used ones? Are they interchangable with other brands? (these actually have "YAMAHA" cast into them)

Age old question... how far to go before deciding to find another boat and just part what I can of this one out?

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Yamaha stern drive questions/

Re: Yamaha stern drive questions/

Used are going to be hard to find that aren't eat up with corrosion. A lot of adapting has to be done to use Mercruiser manifolds and the thermostat housing has to be changed along with re hosing the engine.New manifolds are available but not cheap. Bellows are usually in stock in Hotlanta. How far to go, its up to you.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Yamaha stern drive questions/

Re: Yamaha stern drive questions/

Can someone point me to a link for a online manual or answer if the input shaft is the same as Mercruiser and does it just come out the same way by removing the 4 bolts on what apperas to be a retaining collar and just pulling.