88 OMC Seadrive Rusted Steering Arm? Pics

[Wcsweb]

Hello,

And Happy Thanksgiving from Central FL...

I have an 88 OMC Sea Drive Model# 985230 (not sure if its a 115hp or 110) It is a 1.6 V4 that has a rusted steering arm. I need to replace this part but would like some guidance on where to start taking it apart in order to get to this part removed.

I know there's not a lot of folks still running this set up so hopefully there are some Sea drive owners still around.

Luckily I have another complete Sea Drive Motor that I picked up that is in running order minis a bad starter. I have thought about just swapping them but not sure.

Also if this part breaks or gives way does my motor end up falling off?

If anyone can assist me I would greatly appreciate it.

Spare Motor

 

[mikesea]

Re: 88 OMC Seadrive Rusted Steering Arm? Pics

The powerhead will need to come off,the lower unit also,under the powerhead there are motor mounts that would make sense to change while your in there,there are two lower motor mounts behind the plates on bottom of midsection,you should change them too because the 4 bolts that you see bottom of the steering arm you need to change will likely be a bear to get out without heat and heat will hurt the mounts,besides they go bad anyway in time.So after the lower is off and you remve the midsection from the steering bracket assy.you will see a large nut on bottom of that steering arm.It needs to come off,then the mounting that has the four bolts will slide off splines that are on the arm.your looking at a big job.If you have a torch you will be ahaed of the game.But the powerhead bolts 3 on each side behind the cowling there will be four bolts or bolts and nuts under the carb area under the cowl,then 2 or 3 at base of block in rear.The 2 long upper mount bolts,and four lower mount bolts as I said can be a bear.As for the arm replacement,Im sure they are available`,Ibelive they are same as 4 cyl omc outboard

 

[Wcsweb]

Re: 88 OMC Seadrive Rusted Steering Arm? Pics

So you don't think you can replace this part without removing the power head? I was hoping I could change it out from taking it apart from the bottom.

If this is in fact the case then don't you think I would be better off just removing the 4 big nuts and the wiring and bolting up the other motor?

What do you think?

Also here is the part I need to replace...

 

[mikesea]

Re: 88 OMC Seadrive Rusted Steering Arm? Pics

There is a possibility that you can get the top bolts out of the motormount,#41 on your diagram,and the 4 lower mounting bolts.The big if is ,will the top bolts come out OK and will you be able to get them threaded in again .All you can do is try and if it dont work,then I see no reason why you should have difficulty with the other eng mounting up,Hopefully itsa ggod motor

 

[Wcsweb]

Re: 88 OMC Seadrive Rusted Steering Arm? Pics

Thank you,

When you refer to top bolts which bolts are you talking about? Thank you again for your help.

So you think its worth a shot takin it apart from the bottom up?

 

[mikesea]

Re: 88 OMC Seadrive Rusted Steering Arm? Pics

the top motor mount bolts that go thru the steering arm attaching it to the motormount which is under powerhead.If Im recalling correctly,some engines have nuts on the back end of the mount,It seems you eng ,hopefully has the bolts threading into the mount,you then wont need to hold backside,but Im also hoping the bolts will come out without stripping or breaking the mount.I have usually needed to change the mount which is why I needed to pull powerhead.I think you may be lucky.

 

[Wcsweb]

Re: 88 OMC Seadrive Rusted Steering Arm? Pics

This is what I see. There are only two bolts one I drew a box around and there is another one on the other side. Thats all I see thats bolted to the motor. Then there is one that connects to the steering.

Then there is the shaft #7 that goes up threw the middle. Thats all I see holding this arm in place.

So I'm wondering if that shaft will slide down if I take off the lower unit and the midsection?

What do you think?

Has anyone replaced this part before? If so please chime in...

 

[mikesea]

Re: 88 OMC Seadrive Rusted Steering Arm? Pics

yep,thats the shiftshaft,take the screw out under the carbs,while you have the lower off change the impeller,the easiest way to get the bolt/screw is a 3/8 head flex socket with a long extension,1/4 drive makes it easier.dont turn the shiftshaft onec out,it is threaded to allow for hight,many people believe its loose and then knock out the alignment.You need to take the 4 lower moutbolts out as well,the piece that has the 4 boltheads will drop after you take the big bottom nut off,that nmay be a bear .Heat and a large 6 point socket(dont know the socket size)I use a 1/2 air impact/once the nut is off you will likerly need to persuade it with a rubber hammer but more like a block of wood and heave hammer working from side to side a bit at atime.I also find it easier on some eng.to disconnect the cables to get at the shift bolt,if i recall the seadrive has a funny kind of cable holder that may be a bit troubling with cables,when putting the bolt back in at makes it easier to align the hole in shaft while operating shift linkage

 

[Benny1963]

Re: 88 OMC Seadrive Rusted Steering Arm? Pics

thats goin to be a bear .
just did the mid and exhaust houseing,your best bet may be changeing powerhead to other seadrive,the upper mount was a pain on mine
i ended up useing another exhaust houseing on mine .my motor was salwater motor ,and rebuilding that section was worse than the powerhead,
but you can do it ,

 

[Wcsweb]

Re: 88 OMC Seadrive Rusted Steering Arm? Pics

Just an update.........

I just swapped the entire motor out. I didn't wanna start pulling it apart and getting into something that was going to be a real pain. So I just switched the motor...

Thank you to everyone who replied...

 

[mikesea]

Re: 88 OMC Seadrive Rusted Steering Arm? Pics

wise choice,last yr,I converted my seadrive to a conventional engine,closed in the transome holes and put a bracket on the boat.Now I can change the eng at will,if your other seadrive powerhead is good,you can likely pick up a conventional midsection from a salvage yard,there are great deals on used brackets,when the newer seadrive passes on ,take a couple days , glass in the holes,install bracket ,refitted older seadrive,the beauty is,there are tons of used parts for standard omc engines,and even better,all the omc controls work on all but the newer omc,including 2-6 cyl engines

 

[wdave6]

Re: 88 OMC Seadrive Rusted Steering Arm? Pics

My steering arm actually snapped... is it possible to weld the arm back together? I'm thinking it might be possible to keep the base of the arm and maybe weld a new piece of metal onto that to replace the thinner part of the arm that connects to the cable...

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: 88 OMC Seadrive Rusted Steering Arm? Pics

wdave please start a new thread