OMC 3.0L ball gears and alignment

[F14CRAZY]

I'm about ready to put the 3.0 back in my Bayliner after redoing my deck and stringers...

My ball gears are pretty well worn out and I've heard that they can get bad enough to press against each other and ruin the housings, so I'd like to replace them. I'm planning on buying a ball gear kit online. According to my Clymer manual and my observation, it seems the ball gear shaft on the intermediate housing needs to be removed and the ball gear and seals need to be pressed on/off. Would a good automotive machine shop be able to do this for me? I have a good relationship with one.

Also, when I go to join the sterndrive back with the intermediate housing, am I going to have them aligned? I've heard about having to do this but I was thinking you only had to align the intermediate housing with the engine, NOT the sterndriveand intermediate housing,

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: OMC 3.0L ball gears and alignment

any advice on this guys?

 

[ravej50]

Re: OMC 3.0L ball gears and alignment

Good question. No where in the seloc manual does it say anything about alignment when joining the sterndrive back to the intermediate..unless i didn't look at the right places. Do you have the pressed-on ball gears? i've been trying to figure out how to take those off myself.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC 3.0L ball gears and alignment

ball gear and seals need to be pressed on/off.

No pressing required. It's a Nut and a spline. The tapered roller bearings are press fit if you plan on changing them, but not the ball gear. Not for a 1985.

Lose the Clymers.... line the birdcage with it. Get an OEM manual off eBay.

Also, when I go to join the sterndrive back with the intermediate housing, am I going to have them aligned?

there's two dowels in the flywheel housing - it's self aligning to the engine.

As far as the drive, you should try to center it in the saddles before torqueing the trunnion caps.
I think it will find it's center point on it's own after the first few up/down tilt cycles, but I suppose it could stress the intermediate bearings at first run if pulled over tight to one side.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: OMC 3.0L ball gears and alignment

Thanks for the replies guys. I've removed the caps and found the nuts that hold the gears on. I haven't tried getting them off yet but it appears that the number xxxxx OMC tool, a thin wall socket, is needed. It's looking like I'll have to take it to the local dealer after all