Bad shakedown cruise....now it's a gear ratio question

[wilkboater]

Hello,
I need help from the experts here. The boat is a 1988 Bayliner Capri, 2050 cx 5.0 OMC stern drive. The boat hadn't been in the water since 1999 or earlier, after a trip to the boat mechanic, a set of points and a carburetor rebuild, it seemed to run fine. We unloaded it, made about a 100 yard circle to warm it up and picked up the rest of the family from the dock. We went 9/10 of a mile and the engine died, suddenly. I put it in neutral, it wouldn't turn over, the crank pulley moves about 3/4". I brought it home, pulled the spark plugs and tried again. The engine still won't turn over, but it seems to lift one side of the engine in the mounts. Does this mean I have a stern drive problem instead of an engine problem? Can anyone advise me on how to prove it's the stern drive, or how to proceed next? I'm pretty handy mechanically, but don't have any experience on sterndrives.

Thanks in advance,
Jeff

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

Did you check the oil in the outdrive?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

Takes more that a quick tune up, as above, check the drive oil, pull the drive and then retry to start the motor

 

[searaymon]

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

I would check the oil in the lower unit for condition (and to make sure there is some). Next, pull the outdrive and see if the engine will turn over then

 

[wilkboater]

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

OK, I'd tell you the condition of the oil, but there isn't any(it's not my boat, but I took it out without checking it myself, so it's up to me to fix it). The two bevel gears in the top of the outdrive are toast. It looks like gears, bearings and seals will fix it. Can someone point me in the right direction for a parts source?

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

Yikes!

 

[dodgeramsst2003]

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

yeah, just gears, seals etc will fix it, but you aren't an OMC mechanic. These things are EXPENSIVE, and if everything isn't properly aligned, with correct tolerances etc, it will burn up again in short order. My buddy has an OMC drive and he was quoted about $2000-$3000 for a rebuild. Your best bet is to take it to a qualified mechanic, pay the price, and never borrow a boat again without checking all the fluids.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

The boat hadn't been in the water since 1999 or earlier, after a trip to the boat mechanic, a set of points and a carburetor rebuild, it seemed to run fine.

So, the "Boat Mechanic" fixed it right up?

After sitting 10 years no one (including the "Boat Mechanic") didn't check or change the drive oil?

Sounds like he might have either drained the drive oil to change it and didn't bother to refill it or filled it like a Mercruiser.

Either of those cases will destroy the upper gears and bearings. When you destroy the upper gears and bearings it's a COMPLETE rebuild or replacement.

Sorry about that!


Rick

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

OK, I'd tell you the condition of the oil, but there isn't any(it's not my boat, but I took it out without checking it myself, so it's up to me to fix it). The two bevel gears in the top of the outdrive are toast. It looks like gears, bearings and seals will fix it. Can someone point me in the right direction for a parts source?

Thanks,
Jeff

Iboats lists a complete rebuilt drive for $3500. That sucks, but that's the way it is. If you buy the gearset, you will have to find an OMC mechanic who has the correct tools & knows gow to shim everything correctly. That won't be easy. Many shops won't touch an OMC.

 

[wilkboater]

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

First, it's not the boat mechanics fault, he was only told to make the engine run correctly. It's a family owned boat, it's a case of "everyone thought someone else had done it" as far as checking the oil. I'm less concerned with deciding who to blame or discussing how stupid it was, and more concerned with fixing it. Here's the deal, it's a 21 year old boat, solid but rough around the edges. In running condition, it's a $2000-3000 boat; so a $3000 rebuilt outdrive isn't an option.

I've looked at the oil in the lower unit, it looks fine, smells like gear oil and has no shavings; hopefully closer inspection will tell me that the lower is good. If I can get away with just fixing the upper, what makes it so difficult? I've read the shop manual on the procedure twice, most, if not all of the special tools I have some version of at work. We set backlash on differentials, and measure for shims on a regular basis. We rebuild hydraulic pumps and motors, hydrostrat and powershift transmissions, and rebuild differentials on forestry and contruction equipment. This doesn't look that difficult for me and the tech's at work to accomplish. Am I fooling myself?

I realize I'm asking for it with that last question. Let's hear your opinions, and any advice you have to find a deal on an upper gearset.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[scipper77]

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

It sounds like you have the tools, a shop, the technical knowledge, and even competent help. I'm just curious how much the parts are going to cost you?

 

[wilkboater]

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

Re: Bad shakedown cruise....something's locked up!

Good adviced Bubba, I've log 10-12 hours on ebay since yesterday. If I find a good replacement unit, how critical is the gear ratio? As I understand it, mine is 21:17 ratio, I keep finding 21:18. I'm fine with changing props to keep the rpm's where they should be.

Thanks,
Jeff