1984 OMC Stringer Drive

[coheainco]

Hello all!<br /><br />I'm new to the forums here and wanted to get a little bit of advice.<br /><br />I just bought a 1984 185 Sea Sprite Bowrider. The boat came with a remanaufactured 5.7 L w/ 18 mo. warranty from Jasper marine. The drive was completely replaced summer before last. I paid about $500 above NADA for it but with the warranty etc I think it was worth it. Boat runs beautifully and I have no complaints.<br /><br />After coming on here though, it seems like most opinions of the 800 Stringer drives are pretty low. So....what should I look out for? What do I need to do maintenance wise etc to keep this thing running smoothly?<br /><br />Winterizing...can I do it myselfor shoudl I shell out the $300 the dealership is quoting to do it...this includes replacing engine oil, fogging, replacing all outdrive fluids and a basic tune check.<br /><br />I appreciate any responses or words of wisdom you might have.

 

[Lou C]

Re: 1984 OMC Stringer Drive

I have a Cobra drive which came after the stringer, I do not know much about them but there are others on here that do (Boomyal for one).<br />One thing I can say is you should check around to see if there are any Evinrude/Johnson shops that still service the old stringers, you need someone who knows them. Also if you are going to do your own work, see if you can get a service manual, the OE OMC ones are very good.<br />The main issue with OMC is finding guys who know them. Even with my Cobra which is really not all that different than a Merc Alpha, certain places will not work on them.<br />So far I have not had a big problem with getting the shift linkage adjusted (which is critical on the Cobra drive) and most of the other repairs I did myself. I have a very good OMC shop here that does the more complex stuff for me.

 

[Boatist]

Re: 1984 OMC Stringer Drive

I have a 400 stringer and if OMC was still in busniess it would still be my choice because it turns 90 degrees instead of 60 and the prop will lift all the way out of the water.<br /><br />Things to look for. Motor is same motor used on other makes so no problem there. Check the tilt clutch on the port side and make sure has motor oil in it not water. Check the upper and lower gear cases twice a year for water and change once a year. Grease all the zert once a year. One behind the rubber stops on the pivot pins, two for the stearing gear, one in the front of the upper gear box thru a hole in the front.<br /><br />Check the rubber boot for cracks or water leaks into the boat.<br /><br />Worst thing and in 24 years it has happened to my boat one time. Between the upper gear box and the lower gear box is the water pump and a short splined shaft that mates with the lower gear box drive shaft splined shaft. This will wear out and slip. Mine took 20 years. MY only Worry is how long can one get parts.

 

[coheainco]

Re: 1984 OMC Stringer Drive

Thank boater!<br /><br />I assume when I pick up a repair manual that it will show the placement of the zerks.<br /><br />Any opinions on whether the Seloc or clymers (sp?) manual is better for the not too technically inclined?<br /><br />The dealer i bought the boat from has a very good OMC mechanic so I'm not too worried about that and they are only an hour away.<br /><br />Any opinions on the winterizing thing? The dealer ofered to let me watch and learn when they do it so I'm thinking I will bite the bullet and pay to have it done this year and if not too difficult start doing it myself.

 

[Lou C]

Re: 1984 OMC Stringer Drive

It may be better to watch and learn if you have never done it before. If you miss something that has to be drained you will get freeze damage that can be expensive to fix. I would get an OE OMC shop manual if you can, I have one for my Cobra and it is excellent, and about the same price as the after market ones.

 

[superior diver]

Re: 1984 OMC Stringer Drive

My oem omc repair manual has all the info for winterizing as well as maintenance schedules and lube points. 300 seems a little steep.<br /><br />scott

 

[sculbert]

Re: 1984 OMC Stringer Drive

humm