Grease or 30 weight oil in OMC Stringer tilt clutch pack?

[rs2k]

I have seen a few people recommend stuffing the tilt clutch pack on a stringer with grease instead of 30 weight oil as called for. What's the reasoning behind this? How much grease should be packed in there? What kind of grease should be packed in there?

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Grease or 30 weight oil in OMC Stringer tilt clutch pack?

I have seen a few people recommend stuffing the tilt clutch pack on a stringer with grease instead of 30 weight oil as called for. What's the reasoning behind this? How much grease should be packed in there? What kind of grease should be packed in there?

Based on forum mention of the subject, it is on my list to ask my local longtime OMC guru. It sounds like a good idea but I'd like some professional input. This guy knows all the tricks so I'd be surprised if he was not at least aware of the alternative.

 

[KRH1326]

Re: Grease or 30 weight oil in OMC Stringer tilt clutch pack?

I just went through this same dilema, a few weeks ago. I had blown out the worm gear retaining cap, so I had a minor overhaul on my hands.

After I took care of the clutch pack, and fabbed up an arm to act as an assist to the retainer, I cruised these forums and found those same posts.

I went to an 'ol timer, and asked about it, and the explanation and recommendation was this.

Those housing and covers were a disaster of a design. They all leak sooner or later. When they leak, seawater works into the housing and eventually works up the worm gear shaft, into the motor, and a whole new twist to the story developes.

Alot of guys started packing with grease to prevent this. The grease, if packed carefully, even if water still gets in, can prevent premature motor failure.

I removed my clutch pack, and soaked it in oil. While soaking, I removed my worm gear and packed heavy green/ blue waterproof axel bearing grease up into the worm gear shaft, right up tight to the plastic spacer, where it pierces through the int. housing. I had to work the worm gear back up into the grease. I packed the interior perimeter of the housing with the same grease and worked the outer, brass gear (i forgot what it is called, and without the clutch pack in it) into the grease and meshed with worm, and completely worked both into place. I packed some more grease inside the brass gear and made sure there was a generous amount around the seals where the spur gear shaft passes thru. I took the clutch pack, and pushed it through the mess, and into place. I put grease on the fack of the pack, and installed the housing cover. This took some playing around, to get the shaft end to break the suction, and allow the cover recess to accept the shaft end.

I opened the fill port, and tried to sqeeze oil in, to fill the remaining void. Some got in, but not much really at all.

I have been using it almost everyday, for 3 weeks now, and all is well ( knocking on my wooden desk). My boat is on a mooring, and constantly under water pressure.

If you remind me of this , at the end of the season, I will report what I find in it when winterizing.

Good Luck!

 

[studdy05]

Re: Grease or 30 weight oil in OMC Stringer tilt clutch pack?

I break my clutch pack all the way down each season, soak it in wd40, clean everything with a toothbrush and WD40, then repack with marine grease and top off anything with gear oil, which is less than a spoonful or so...then I line the outside of the tilt case a thin layer of permatex...and its all about trying to keep water out...as mine stays moored in the Gulf most of the year the tilt doesn't get used much but it works well for me when it is needed.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Grease or 30 weight oil in OMC Stringer tilt clutch pack?

...then I line the outside of the tilt case a thin layer of permatex...and its all about trying to keep water out........

The water does not enter via the housing cover. It enters thru the seal on the shaft that has the gear that mates with the quadrant. The weight of the outdrive on that gear (and shaft) causes the seal lip to elongate, thus allowing water to enter the box. Over time the shaft bushing actually elongates as well, further exacerbating the problem.

 

[rs2k]

Re: Grease or 30 weight oil in OMC Stringer tilt clutch pack?

Using grease instead of oil makes a whole lot of sense. The oil will mix with the water while water is going to have a very difficult time trying to displace the grease.