Help with routine maitenance

[Surfnsnowboard3]

Hello everybody and thanks in advance for the help.

First off, I am a layman and retard when it comes to anything mechanical.

I have a 1989 Belmont 17' ski boat. It has a 5.0 OMC inboard/outboard. I have no idea what the engine is? I think it is a 351, but NO IDEA. Can somebody tell me what it may be?

I am planning on changing the oil and oil filter. Youtube, this site and googling let me figure out how to do that. Pray for me.

The previous owner of the boat suggested I replace the fuel filter as well. Where is this located? Youtube isn't helping with that.

The previous owner also suggested I "top off the outdrive." WTF does this mean? How do I do that?

THANNK YOU AGAIN!

 

[tazrig]

Re: Help with routine maitenance

Take a deep breath and relax... Topping off the outdrive means topping it off with oil. Just like topping off your car with oil if it were low. Here is a present for you, a link to the OEM service manual for your engine. It covers where your serial number for your motor and drive are located and that is what we will need to tell you for sure what you have. If you can't find that than some pictures would greatly help also. The manual also covers how to tune it up, the location and how to change the gas filter. If you can't find it some pictures of the top, front and side of your motor will help us to point it out to you.

Boatinfo - OMC 1986-1998 Service Manual

 

[Surfnsnowboard3]

Re: Help with routine maitenance

Take a deep breath and relax... Topping off the outdrive means topping it off with oil. Just like topping off your car with oil if it were low. Here is a present for you, a link to the OEM service manual for your engine. It covers where your serial number for your motor and drive are located and that is what we will need to tell you for sure what you have. If you can't find that than some pictures would greatly help also. The manual also covers how to tune it up, the location and how to change the gas filter. If you can't find it some pictures of the top, front and side of your motor will help us to point it out to you.

Boatinfo - OMC 1986-1998 Service Manual

The serial number I have is TO612532. I don't know if this was on my motor or drive, it was given to me after having a marine survey done of my boat. Where can I look this serial number up to tell me further?

Thanks

 

[tazrig]

Re: Help with routine maitenance

I believe that serial number is for the drive as I can't find any info on it. What i can tell you by looking at the picture is that you have a Ford 5.0 liter engine that looks original to the boat so it would be the same year as the boat or one year older. Your gas filter is (follow the fuel line from the gas tank and you can't miss it) is a white canister that looks just like an oil filter. It is located underneath the power steering pulley all the way to the right (looking at the picture) to change it you simply unscrew it and screw in a new one, hand tight then a quarter turn more. Run the motor and check to make sure it's not leaking. Be careful as the old one will be full of gas.

 

[Surfnsnowboard3]

Re: Help with routine maitenance

Thank you. Yes I know from the previous owner it is original. The boat is an 89, making the engine an 88 or 89. What's the motor size? 302?

Also, looking at the photo below, any idea where I might find the oil to "top off" on the outboard? Or do you have a link or picture of what screws to remove?

Thanks

 

[bonzoscott]

Re: Help with routine maitenance

The place where you top off the gear oil is on top of the out drive, just below that hump in your swim deck in the pic. You need to trim the drive so that it is level (use a small bubble level). It is a plug that looks like a large slotted screw, painted same color of drive. It is actually a small dipstick about an inch long with a notch in it for "full". Very important that the lube meets that dipstick and not exceed the notch. I suggest you read that manual Taz linked above, and do more reading / searching this forum. before attempting more maintenance. Some things that seem very simple can destroy your engine or drive with out knowledge of specifics.

 

[Surfnsnowboard3]

Re: Help with routine maitenance

Thank you.
Your advice is heeded and I will continue to do my studying.

What I can't find is if my gear oil is low on the top of the outdrive, where do I fill it up? Through that some hole the dipstick goes in? Also, another stupid question, what type of gear oil do I use? Is it the same as the oil in the engine (sae30)?

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Help with routine maitenance

Profile? Location? You might be close to someone who can help.
The gear oil is 80-90 weight.
Not motor oil.
GET A MANUAL!!!
The downloadable is good too.
Topping off? The oil shouldn't be going anywhere.It's in a sealed unit.So if it's needing "topping off" then somethings wrong.
The most important thing is if you fill the drive, is fill it from the side of the drive.
If not you can do serious damage.
The next thing is on the side of the top of the drive.Under the Cobra sticker.
There is a BIG screw head don't undo it.
1989 is an 89. The 5.0 is a 302 Ford.

 

[Surfnsnowboard3]

Re: Help with routine maitenance

Profile? Location? You might be close to someone who can help.
The gear oil is 80-90 weight.
Not motor oil.
GET A MANUAL!!!
The downloadable is good too.
Topping off? The oil shouldn't be going anywhere.It's in a sealed unit.So if it's needing "topping off" then somethings wrong.
The most important thing is if you fill the drive, is fill it from the side of the drive.
If not you can do serious damage.
The next thing is on the side of the top of the drive.Under the Cobra sticker.
There is a BIG screw head don't undo it.
1989 is an 89. The 5.0 is a 302 Ford.

I'm in Southern California. Near San Bernardino.

I asked about the gear oil "topping off" only because the person I bought the boat from recommended it. Based on what you said, ill check the level and if its low, ill take it to a mechanic to figure out why and full it back up.

The oil change and filter change, along with the fuel filter change, seems simple enough based on research and YouTube videos. So I'm gonna try those.

Any other advice is appreciated.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Help with routine maitenance

I'm in Southern California. Near San Bernardino.

I asked about the gear oil "topping off" only because the person I bought the boat from recommended it. Based on what you said, ill check the level and if its low, ill take it to a mechanic to figure out why and full it back up.

The oil change and filter change, along with the fuel filter change, seems simple enough based on research and YouTube videos. So I'm gonna try those.

Any other advice is appreciated.

On that outdrive you fill through the same dipstick whole but do it slowly and in small amounts as you don't want to overfill it. Also, believe that is a 302 engine.

 

[bonzoscott]

Re: Help with routine maitenance

Take a look at this thread. There is a pic in there from Don, OMC manual that shows proper method.
http://forums.iboats.com/omc-i-o-inboard-engines-outdrives/filling-gear-lube-omc-cobra-451229.html

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Help with routine maitenance

On that outdrive you fill through the same dipstick whole but do it slowly and in small amounts as you don't want to overfill it. Also, believe that is a 302 engine.

Just for clarification and I am sure Tazrig meant it this way, the only time you add fluid at the top dipstick hole is to top off. When filling the drive after a complete fluid drain, you do it from the middle hole.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Help with routine maitenance

Just for clarification and I am sure Tazrig meant it this way, the only time you add fluid at the top dipstick hole is to top off. When filling the drive after a complete fluid drain, you do it from the middle hole.

Thats right. In his first post the OP asked specifically about just "topping off" so that's the answer I gave him. Here are the directions for a full drain and fill using, as Bruce correctly pointed out, the middle hole.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Help with routine maitenance

Just for clarification and I am sure Tazrig meant it this way, the only time you add fluid at the top dipstick hole is to top off. When filling the drive after a complete fluid drain, you do it from the middle hole.

Thats right. In his first post the OP asked specifically about just "topping off" so that's the answer I gave him. Here are the directions for a full drain and fill using, as Bruce correctly pointed out, the middle hole. Attachment originally from Don S. out of the OMC manual.

View attachment 191007

 

[Surfnsnowboard3]

Re: Help with routine maitenance

Does anybody have a part number for an oil filter for a 302 ford engine with omc 5.0?

I read my oil filter in my boat now and thought I read 55-802886T, but there are no matches for that number. I'm out of town away from my boat and need that part number.

Thanks!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Help with routine maitenance

Does your engine use a remote filter?

If not, a Wix 51515 or Motorcraft FL1A

 

[Levinz11]

Re: Help with routine maitenance

Your motor and drive sure are clean for their age. Good luck with your new toy.

 

[Surfnsnowboard3]

Re: Help with routine maitenance

Found the serial number. My engine is a 302. Thanks guys