Coupler Replacement

[whitesig]

1976 Glass Master 18'<br />OMC 175<br />V8<br /><br />This season the coupler went out on the boat. I have pulled the vertical drive off along with the intermediate housing seal ring and seal.<br /><br />I have a OMC Stern Drive Service Manual from OMC dated 1976.<br />This manual does not give any directions on replacing the coupler.<br /><br />Can anyone advise me where to find a good manual that covers replacing the coupler and doing the proper alignment?<br /><br />Any advice on any other things I should do while I have it all apart would be appreciated.<br /><br />Just curious, but why do you have to pull the engine out to change the coupler. Seems like you should be able to get to it with the vertical drive off?

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Coupler Replacement

Gary,The coupler bolts to the flywheel,which is under the bell housing,that is bolted to the back of the engine.That's why we pull the engine as well as the outdrive.Also replace the intermediate shaft that engages the coupler.It is also worn.This is also a good time to look at the ball gears,which are replaced as a pair (set).If the material is more than (or close to) half worn,time to replace.<br />Even if you can do all this work yourself,think about investing the price of the parts into a newer boat.<br />DHP

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Coupler Replacement

I am with DHPMARINE. it should be against the law to repair or sell parts for them atiques<br /> trust us you will be happier with a new package.<br /> but if ya gotta fix it ya gotta fix it. there isnt much to align on that engine. good luck and keep posting

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Coupler Replacement

Probably the reason it don't show any directions on replacing the couplier is cause that couplier don't go out. Those units strips the shaft spline between the upper and lower units. If you split the outdrive and pull the water pump housing, you'll find the vertical shaft stripped along with the lower shaft in the upper gearhousing. But I have to side with the other on why waste time and money on one of these stringer drives.

 

[whitesig]

Re: Coupler Replacement

I have split the outdrive and am in the process of checking the water pump housing.

 

[whitesig]

Re: Coupler Replacement

I am having trouble getting the vertical shaft out. The OMC manual just says to disassemble the water pump. The shaft is not budging. Any ideas on how to proceed with removing it.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Coupler Replacement

OK, now if you have the upper off the lower, turn it upside down. The upper that is. Remove the four half inch bolts holding the water pump housing on. Remove the housing and the shaft will come out with it. The key in the shaft that turns the impeller keeps it from just slipping out. The water pump assembly is usually a pain to remove due to the fact they corrode in place.

 

[whitesig]

Re: Coupler Replacement

Thanks, I have the water pump assembly apart. The shaft is totally wore out. I slid it back in and there was significant play.<br /><br />I'm bulding a list of parts I am going to need and then try and find a good place to purchase them.

 

[Farpoint]

Re: Coupler Replacement

if you have a lot of damage in upper gear housing probably better to buy a whole used unit off ebay before replacing shafts and gears they will get very expensive.