New to me project 1971 Fiber form with OMC 215 HP TUFM-20d model issues

[Rob Wolf]

Hi there,
I just picked up a 1971 Fiberform with a OMC 215 hp motor. Its going to be a fun project that has be sitting for 12 years. The interior is 100 original and perfect condition.
I have a couple basic questions on the wiring on the starter solenoid and tilt solenoids.
The battery is new and fully charged. When I try to start it the starter solenoid just clicks and the same thing happens when I try to lower or raise the outdrive. It looks to me like some of the wires are super brittle and almost fall apart on the solenoids. Are these those fusable link wires? I just ordered the Seloc repair manual and it wont be here for over a week. Was hoping to get a head start from you guys,

 

[southkogs]

Suggestion #1 - Cancel the Seloc order. You're MUCH better off getting a shop manual (outboardbooks.com).

Suggestion #2 - make sure you have a free (as in working / turns) upper and lower gearcase before you worry about the engine.

Suggestion #3 - Don't worry about the tilt just yet. Check the solenoids, but most likely you need to pull and rebuild the tilt motor. (Lower, port side, inside the transom).

Those aren't fusible wires. It's pretty common for that tilt motor to go bad. Good chance your starter is in the same shape. I'd expect that to need to be pulled and rebuilt.

I would pull the drive off the boat, and after checking to see if the gear boxes are working, then get the engine started with the drive off.

Quick gut check - the OMC Stringer is an old (read that hard to find some parts for, and most marine techs won't wanna' work on it) and obsolete system. Yours is even a little worse than that as an electric shift, which OMC abandoned in 1976. You've got an obsolete, kinda' finicky drive line that you can't convert over to Mercruiser or Volvo. You need to make sure you wanna' do this to yourself . Truth told - I actually like the Electric Shift. I like the way the Stringer works and was pretty happy with mine when I had it. But, it's a vintage drive. Not the "go out and have a great time bashing around the lake every weekend" drive.

Welcome aboard.

 

[jerryjerry05]

All you need is a 12v test light and an assistant.
The clicking solenoids tell you the wiring's ok but something from the solenoid
to the T@T or starter is bad?
Turn the key and you should have power across both terminals of the solenoids.
No power on both sides? bad.
Power on both sides? that means the T@T or starter's the problem.

Like South mentioned, the boat is way old and outdated.
Parts and people who work on these are getting harder to find.

The Clymer manual is lacking.
eBay has a bunch of service manuals all about 25$
"OMC Sterndrive manual" in the subject line.
Find one that's close to your setup.

 

[Redrig]

yeah , as these guys mentioned there is a few things that you should really get done before you even try to fire that thing up .

I would remove the drive for sure...... not only to fire up the engine but for a boat that was sitting that long there are alot of maintenence items to complete first before that thing is even close to water ready. Grease all the splines , change impeller , fluids , etc .

 

[kenny nunez]

The insulation on the wires was a real problem. Sometimes if you peal back the tape the insulation is still in good condition under the tape. If the wire itself is not crumbling you might be able to re-wrap the wires.
Put a pry bar through the engine side of the ball gear to check if the engine is not frozen. That was always the first thing I would do when a someone showed up with a boat that has been “sleeping” . Your engine has a Mallory distributor which is a good unit, make sure the replacement points and condenser are not “foreign” made.
If that boat was in a fresh water environment it would not surprise me that the drive is still good. Good luck

 

[Rob Wolf]

Thank you for the info guys... The engine is not frozen for sure that was first thing I checked even before I bought it. Is the downloadable version of the manual any good? It appears that the Seloc version I ordered is not a favorite..
The wires and insulation are pretty much crumbling so I will need to start replacing those. I have had a few old boats that I have brought back to life and have fun doing it. The wife loves the interior on this boat with the hard top..