ball gear

[docspenc]

Can someone please help me. I have a 1977 Sea Ray with a 351 ford and a omc 235 stringer out-drive. How can you tell if you need to change the ball gears. I have looked at them and they seam to be worn the balls are not round, they are about ? worn though. Also can you tell me how hard they are to change?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: ball gear

Take a picture and post it.

 

[docspenc]

Re: ball gear

Ok. it will may take me a while, Do you know what the part #s would be?

 

[southkogs]

Re: ball gear

If they're truly half worn, then they should probably be changed out. You can still get 'em at shop.evinrude.com. I haven't done one personally, can't tell you how easy it is.

 

[doral1985]

Re: ball gear

Done mine last year, not to bad a job, remove outdrive, I warmed the nut up with torch and used impact wrench on them any to my surprise they came off. I done the seals on the upper and intermediate means i had access to them. Rigged up a flatbar of steel to hold the ball gear from turning when I wrenched them.
Have fun and good luck. Be patient with boat gear, try to out think the problem.

 

[docspenc]

Re: ball gear

Good info thanks.. Do you happen to know if the ball gear on my boat are pressed on or not? Or do they come off with bolts?
WHAT about a owners manual. can't find one for a 1977 stringer elect shift?

 

[southkogs]

Re: ball gear

This should do for a manual.

 

[docspenc]

Re: ball gear

That manual is for GM powerd. But the outdrive part would be the same.... thanks southkog

 

[southkogs]

Re: ball gear

Whoops - I thought that said all the engines in it (thought it was what I have). Here's the whole list with some factory manuals too.

 

[docspenc]

Re: ball gear

Thanks.... I'm trying to buy a new or used set of ball gears but I don't know if they are pressed on or held on with a nut. If anyone knows it would help.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: ball gear

held on with a nut

 

[docspenc]

Re: ball gear

Ok then, I was'nt shore about it, from what I have read some are pressed, on an some are not. Just looking at it with out taking it off I can't see a nut.... Are the nuts on the inside? Some have a cap you take off and then you can get to the nut, but I don't see a cap...

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: ball gear

there is a tin welch (welsh?) plug covering the nut. A service manual will show you the procedure. It is straight forward but best to follow it step by step from a factory manual. Order a new nut, and new plug when you buy ball gears and get a tube of RTV sealant for under the plug.

 

[docspenc]

Re: ball gear

Ok thanks..

 

[boobie]

Re: ball gear

The thing you want to ask yourself is, why are they worn??

 

[bruceb58]

Re: ball gear

The thing you want to ask yourself is, why are they worn??

Possibly because they are 35 years old!

 

[boobie]

Re: ball gear

I've seen ballgears with 20 yrs on them and they looked like new. There is a way to keep them from wearing. That's why the stringers are a thing of the past.

 

[docspenc]

Re: ball gear

I think they are worn because the motor was ran with the out drive up. But they are worn and I need to change them... I do think the ball gear was a bad idea.

 

[boobie]

Re: ball gear

It's either it was run with the drive up or the trunions between the upper g/c and the intermediate hsg are out of line.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: ball gear

I had an OMC stringer that had 25% worn off after 7 years and 800 hours. Not knowing how many hours are on this drive, its impossible to say the cause. Running tilted up would definitely cause them to get worn more.