Hey Rabidfish...

[DukesFin]

Found the plastic washers for my OMC 165 Stringer (1973)- (slow to shift into Forward) and you were right on about the price. What I need to know is if I am interpreting the manual correctly. I need to remove the outdrive, remove the swivel housing, exhaust housing, THEN the lower unit???<br /><br />After I do all that, I need to basically dismantle the whole shaft assembly (prop shaft) along with the needle bearings to replace the plastic washers?<br /><br />Please tell me I'm not correct in this. I will have no problem dismantling, but putting everything back together worries me. If I'm correct in my interpretation, is it as hard as it seems to one who is "mechanically inclined". I found that replacing the seals in my intermediate housing pretty easy (and I was worried before hand).<br /><br />Thanks for any help here.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Hey Rabidfish...

I think you are starting to understand why most responses to stringer drive questions include 'run as fast as you can'.<br /><br />At least if you can do your own work,you get a break.Just think what this would cost @ $70.00 per (or more) hour ?<br /><br />That's why my shop has stopped working on stringers.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Weirdwalt]

Re: Hey Rabidfish...

Same here, I wont work on them. Mechanics end up married to those things.

 

[DukesFin]

Re: Hey Rabidfish...

At least I'm lucky that this is my first I/O, so being "married" to this "white anchor" isn't so bad for me. Most boat owners don't stay with one boat, so the next one (whenever that might be), I'm sure will be easier/cheaper, but again, this being my first I/O, it isn't so bad for me. I look at it like this: I'm getting some really good experience working on her. As much as I want to pay someone else to do the work for me, more often than not, I end up doing it myself. I just get weary breaking seals on a unit I've not had any experience on myself, but once I get into it, I usually feel pretty comfortable. My biggest fear is having to take a unit I've broken down to a "real" mechanic to put back together, and probably repair what I've "fixed"!!!<br /><br />As they say, "It's all good!" With all this education, I might get out of marketing and move to Florida (my dream) and work on boats for a living!!!

 

[rabidfish]

Re: Hey Rabidfish...

Follow the manual... to a "T" <br />It's the roadmap that'll bring you home in one piece!<br />It's not rocket science. If you can do the seals in the intermediate, then you can do this...<br /><br />Pay particular attention to removing the coils(and the wires attached to them!)<br /><br />Reply to this thread to let us know how you did!<br />Good Luck!

 

[KaGee]

Re: Hey Rabidfish...

You can do it Duke!I got faith in you.<br />Remember... there's a reason Rodbolt and DonS refer to the "other" brand as "black anchors"...so don't let the naysayers put you down.