Is The 400-800 drive off center?

[Agleason]

I have an early model stern drive and it is off center where the intermediate passes through the hull. My question is: is a 400-800 stern drive off center as well? I know the transom seal is larger.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Is The 400-800 drive off center?

the engine crankshaft centerline and ball gear shaft centerline should be centered in the hull on all 1964-1985 OMC stringer mount drives.

 

[HorizonblueDK]

Re: Is The 400-800 drive off center?

As far as I remember, the hole in the transom is off center, even though the engine is in the middle of the boat. The hole is placed more towards the port side (where the tilt motor is)

At least that's how it was on the boat, where I have rebuilt the transom.

 

[Agleason]

Re: Is The 400-800 drive off center?

Thats what I need to be sure of, is the hole in the transom off center on a 400-800 Sterndrive? I am positive it is off center up to 1977, but it the 400-800 I'm not sure on.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Is The 400-800 drive off center?

the 400/800 clamp ring is centered with respect to the ball gear on the 1979-1985 units, putting the boot center of the transom

as far as boot clamp ring on earlier electric shift units, it appears some were centered and some were offset portside, but the ball gear is always centered and the drive is always center -skeg true to the keel.

 

[Agleason]

Re: Is The 400-800 drive off center?

That's exactly what I needed to know! Thank you so much for sharing knowledge, now I know for sure how to proceed.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is The 400-800 drive off center?

the 400/800 clamp ring is centered with respect to the ball gear on the 1979-1985 units, putting the boot center of the transom

as far as boot clamp ring on earlier electric shift units, it appears some were centered and some were offset portside, but the ball gear is always centered and the drive is always center -skeg true to the keel.

Ayuh,.... 1st time I ran across that on an ole '73 OMC to Merc refit, 'bout Blew me away,...

Glad I discovered it before I got too far.... 'bout 1, 1/2 - 2" to port...

 

[HorizonblueDK]

Re: Is The 400-800 drive off center?

I was under the impression that every single stringer setup had the transomhole offset to the port side. The circular face on the intermediate housing, where the boot is clamped onto, is offset to the port, because of the tilt motor, even on the 79-85 models, or am I wrong here?

If the circular face on the intermediate housing is off center, and there is only one "late type" transom boot, in which the hole is centered, the transom hole must be off center, otherwise the the boot is stretched on the starboard side, and squeezed on the port side.

This is speculation, to some degree. I filled the transom on a 1976 boat, but had a bunch of parts laying around in those days, amongst that a white intermediate housing (year 79-85) and off course a few electric intermediate housings, and noticed both similarities and differences between them.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Is The 400-800 drive off center?

you can go on ebay and have a look at intermediate housings- you'll see the different shape of the newer ones.