OMC 400 upper gearcase bearing race spun

[iflyboats]

Hey all,

I'm working on rebuilding the upper gearcase on my 1980 OMC 400 stringer drive. When attempting to shim the ball gear shaft, I found out that the bearing race for the opposite end of the ball gear shaft, deep in the housing, has spun in its place. I was able to pull the race out by hand with no tools.

The race itself looks fine, but the bore it sits in is a bit chewed up. Almost looks like somebody changed the bearing out once before and did a hack job.

Is there any way to still use this housing? Peen the bore a bit for some friction and seat the race with some Loctite sleeve retainer?

Or should I just replace the housing? With the exception of this bearing race issue, my housing seems to be in far better condition than anything I'm seeing on Ebay.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would first try to find a different housing. If that doesnt work, there is weld and remachine path or if the tolerance is tight enough, the bearing retainer compound

 

[iflyboats]

Well, I also just discovered I think I was on the right track with some hack changing the bearing. The inner race of that bearing is also cracked. Upon tapping it off, the mounting surface of the ball gear shaft is totally screwed up, lots of ridges from however they pulled that bearing off. Might be looking for more than just a housing...

 

[Scott Danforth]

most likely you also need the complete vertical driveshaft assembly too. that is a known failure point on the stringers as well.

 

[racerone]

Your location ?

 

[iflyboats]

Your location ?

I’m in Oregon.
Looks like the previous “mechanic” had replaced the shims behind the rear bearing race with a crudely cut piece of copper or brass, was pretty bad. I can’t find the specialty shim tool anywhere (908573), not sure how I’m going to figure out new shims for the new bearing.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I’m in Oregon.
Looks like the previous “mechanic” had replaced the shims behind the rear bearing race with a crudely cut piece of copper or brass, was pretty bad. I can’t find the specialty shim tool anywhere (908573), not sure how I’m going to figure out new shims for the new bearing.

You wont find a tool, probably wont have found it 20 years ago either. Your only choice is find a retired OMC technician that still has tools and rebuilds these obsolete drives as a hobby, or send it in to TC Electronics www.sterndrive.info