1986 V-6 OMC repairs.

[Rex Baker]

Hello. Have not posted for about 10 years but have been asked to help with an OMC outdrive, which I have never touched. Over the last 10 years I've worked on a number of Mercruiser units. Have not got model/ser # yet but since it's a 1986, I'll assume it's not a Cobra? The outdrive was working fine before banging a rock and putting a crack in lower uni/ prop hub area. The crack did/does have oil dripping from it. Again, all word of mouth, have not physically seen it. The boat has a 'rebuilt' lower unit, which they want me to put on. Besides checking the transom for damage, any helpful hints? Thank you!

 

[Lou C]

Doesn't look like a Cobra to me....anode on the Cobra is above the upper plate

 

[racerone]

Post pictures of the damage.-----With a V-6 it is likely the 800 lower gearcase.-----Similar to the V-6 outboards.

 

[Rex Baker]

Thank you.

That's the only picture I have, the one of the replacement. The seller told the buyer it isn't a Cobra and the outdrive replacement matched but again won't know till they get me the boat. I did tell them to look for model on outdrive and the engine.

 

[Scott Danforth]

thats a stringer gear case, and if the paint is factory white, its a 1978-1981 hydro-mechanical shift

the 1982 to 1985 mechanical cases were silver

 

[Rex Baker]

That was one of the things that bothered me about that unit. He said the color matched the one on the boat but, if you look closely at the picture, it looks gray, under a quick rattle can spray job.

 

[Scott Danforth]

That was one of the things that bothered me about that unit. He said the color matched the one on the boat but, if you look closely at the picture, it looks gray, under a quick rattle can spray job.

you can not easily mix and match Obsolete Marine Corp stringer generations unless you have a pile of factory manuals and a pile of experience

 

[Rex Baker]

Supposedly has an OMC service manual for pre-88 (?) outdrives with it. Guess we'll see what we see when it shows up. Thank you.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Supposedly has an OMC service manual for pre-88 (?) outdrives with it. Guess we'll see what we see when it shows up. Thank you.

Its not a factory manual then

 

[Rex Baker]

They sent me a pic of the drive. No numbers, they say. Where are numbers on OMC? Thank you!

 

[racerone]

Any other pictures of the damage on the front of that housing.?

 

[Rex Baker]

Not that I have. Why?

 

[racerone]

Major damage on the front may be difficult to repair.----Involves the shifting bits and a bearing housing that accurately positions the forward gear.

 

[Rex Baker]

Ok. Wasn't going to repair, just replace assuming the replacement lower unit they got with the boat, is a match.

 

[Rex Baker]

Ok, did a little google work and now that I've seen pics of the lower unit and the replacement section, they do look similar. All sorts of differences over the years, electric shift, etc. I'm going to tell them to bring it (171 miles, one way) to me and I'll have a look see, but no guarantee I can fix it, till I get in to it a little. Guess that's what friends are for. My boats are so much easier to work on! Thank you for the assist, all.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Ok, did a little google work and now that I've seen pics of the lower unit and the replacement section, they do look similar. All sorts of differences over the years, electric shift, etc. I'm going to tell them to bring it (171 miles, one way) to me and I'll have a look see, but no guarantee I can fix it, till I get in to it a little. Guess that's what friends are for. My boats are so much easier to work on!

start looking at the video's here http://sterndrive.info/

do not damage the lower shift cable. it costs more than the boat is worth.

 

[Rex Baker]

That's great, thank you very much/

 

[Scott Danforth]

That's great, thank you very much/

dont assume the replacement lower is good. seriously suggest you pull it apart, inspect it and re-seal

 

[Rex Baker]

Roger that. On a quick look back at the replacement, I see no shift cable protruding from it. Oops.

 

[Rex Baker]

Roger that. On a quick look back at the replacement, I see no shift cable protruding from it. Oops.

Just an update. Definitely different than Merc units, but had successful transplant, at least on muffs. River test Sat. Thank you all for the help. Next up is a Volvo!