omc 175 electric shift slipping in forward gear

[whitesig]

I've checked through the posts but wanted to get specific advice before I spend some money. I have a 1976 OMC 175 Stringer electric shift. When I accelerate it feels like it is slipping out of gear just before going on plane. The engine rpms go way up. If I reduce throttle it catches and I continue forward. If I go slow, I it works fine in forward. Reverse works great. If I take my time getting off plane I can get there but I can feel a slight slip every couple seconds. <br /><br />Is this electrical? Lower unit? <br />I've seen used lower units on ebay for around $400 with a 30 day warranty over the last 6 months. We also have a marine mechanic who is around 78 years old that still likes working on these. He uses used parts and is fairly expensive.<br /><br />I had electric shift oil changed after it started slipping by a marine service center. This did not help. They did say there was metal in the oil. I changed the switch in the throttle about two years ago. The prop has a shear pin which checked out ok. I've also changed props.<br /><br />Any help would be appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks, Gary

 

[skicat]

Re: omc 175 electric shift slipping in forward gear

Well Gary let me say I have been there several times. I had the same stringer outdrive , only it was mated to a Ford 302 190HP. It was not a very reliable drive. I had the problem you are talking about four times in 12 years. The only solution was to have the drive rebuilt using new gears. It cost around $400 during the 80's. I could only imagine the cost now, if you can even get new parts. The tilt motor is also another problem area. It had to be rebuilt twice. Good luck.

 

[KaGee]

Re: omc 175 electric shift slipping in forward gear

Check out the prop first. Make sure the hub is not spun. It still might be the drive, but your sypmtom is also that of a bad prop.<br /><br />Make an alignment mark on the hub and prop. Go use the boat till it "slips". Then go back and check the alignment mark.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: omc 175 electric shift slipping in forward gear

Don't know if the 'electric stringer' has a prop hub. It may be a solid prop with a shear pin. I would suspect either the forward gear 'slinky' or the drive coupler. The 'electric's' used a small splined coupler that was subject to wear. It might be a good idea to pull the intermediate ball gear and shaft and examine the splines. You can convert it to the later, larger splined shaft and coupler but you'd have to pull the engine to change the coupler. If your ball gears are still serviceable, be sure to mark them so you put them back in the same relationship.<br /><br />If you are faced with spending lots of $$$$, I would convert to the post '77 hydraulic or mechanical shift outdrive. That's what I did with my '75 'electric'.

 

[marinemech]

Re: omc 175 electric shift slipping in forward gear

if its not the prop hub???<br />make sure you have the proper oil in lower should be type c now called premium blend if you have hpf in there that is your problem<br />if prop hub and oil are ok you need to replace the hub and spring for forward gear (megaBucks)<br />or a rebuilt lower<br />also have a shop check and lubricate shafts in upper gearcase as well as engine coupler

 

[rabidfish]

Re: omc 175 electric shift slipping in forward gear

You need to have the proper type"C" gear oil, but if it does and still slips, change the plastic spacers. (Part # 310428) $ 6.28 each<br /><br />You probably don't need an entire rebuild.<br /><br />They wear out and cause the spring to no longer hold as tight. 9 times of 10 it's just that simple.

 

[16Pilot]

Re: omc 175 electric shift slipping in forward gear

I have a 1990 OMC that was doing the same thing. I put a new prop on it but have not not had a chance to take it out to see if it is ok. If I got on the throttle immediatley it would spool up but I couldnt go anywhere. Then like you said if I went into it slow it would finally catch.

 

[John Smith]

Re: omc 175 electric shift slipping in forward gear

Boomyal: I also have a 72 E.S Omc V8 225 h.p. it slip sometime I try to bring it up to 2500Rpm. when you talk about replace a mech or hydraulic shift, are you replace the entire outdrive or just the lower dr. If it just the lower drive what year will fit a 72 and how do you hook up the mech shift mech.<br />Rabidfish: I look at the Manual I could not tell which plastic spacer you are talking about, and I try to locate this part in the net they are discontinue in several places. Your conclusion of 9 out of 10 Dx is it base on a marine mechanic experience or you have the similar problem in the pass with OMC out drive

 

[Boomyal]

Re: omc 175 electric shift slipping in forward gear

Originally posted by John Smith:<br /> Boomyal: I also have a 72 E.S Omc V8 225 h.p. it slip sometime I try to bring it up to 2500Rpm. when you talk about replace a mech or hydraulic shift, are you replace the entire outdrive or just the lower dr. If it just the lower drive what year will fit a 72 and how do you hook up the mech shift mech.<br />

JS, you need to replace the whole outdrive. It hooks right up to the pivot points on your intermediate housing. You have to enlarge the hole thru the intermediate housing to accept the larger diameter shift cable, you need to get the 'shift converter' box which mounts on the inside of the transom and you have to replace your current electric shift throttle/shift assembly.<br /><br />If you go to the last generation of stringer, which is the full mechanical shift, your throttle/shift control would need to include the shift interupter switch for the engine.<br /><br />In 1979, I replaced my 'electric' with the then new hydraulic/mechanical outdrive. I had constant problems with my 'electric' unit. I'm still running that same unit today. Everyone told me it could not be done, that I would have to change the intermediate housing as well. All not true!!!<br /><br />One bit of advice. Last summer I had my motor and drive unit out for a floor rebuilt. I was still using the intermediate drive shaft and coupler that came with my 1975 boat. I was quite horrified at the shape of the splines on both the shaft and the coupler that bolts onto the flywheel. There were almost no splines left on either. Keep in mind, mine is a '75 20 footer running a 302 (190 hp). I upgraded to the larger splined setup that came with the mechanical shift and later units. They say they do not wear like the earlier finer splined units.<br /><br />They are quite expensive new, but I can give you a source that will sell you a used set for less than half of a new set.

 

[rabidfish]

Re: omc 175 electric shift slipping in forward gear

I have seen this problem many times, both as a mechanic at an OMC dealership,(which I now own)and even on my own previous boat.<br /><br />I am not supposed to advertise here, but I can get the parts. They are a whopping $6.28 each.<br /><br />I hope they don't edit this out because this could really help. Go to my website and send me an email. I'll help you, even if nobody else will.

 

[skicat]

Re: omc 175 electric shift slipping in forward gear

Hey Boomyal- I had the same stringer set-up as you. 302 Ford 190HP with an OMC elctric shift. Owned it for 12 years and seemed to have problems every year. Sterndrive gear replacement-4 times. Tilt motor repair- 2 times.<br />Rocker arm broke in half 1-time. Fuel pump went out- 1-time starter solenoid 3-times.<br />And one time I completely lost my lower unit when I hit a log. It must have went 30 feet into the air before it splashed down. I didn't know boating could be so trouble-free until I got a mercruiser.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: omc 175 electric shift slipping in forward gear

Originally posted by skicat:<br /> Hey Boomyal- I had the same stringer set-up as you. 302 Ford 190HP with an OMC elctric shift. Owned it for 12 years and seemed to have problems every year. Sterndrive gear replacement-4 times. Tilt motor repair- 2 times.<br />Rocker arm broke in half 1-time. Fuel pump went out- 1-time starter solenoid 3-times.<br />And one time I completely lost my lower unit when I hit a log. It must have went 30 feet into the air before it splashed down. I didn't know boating could be so trouble-free until I got a mercruiser.

I trust you haven't tested it on any logs yet.

 

[rabidfish]

Re: omc 175 electric shift slipping in forward gear

LMAO!

 

[John Smith]

Re: omc 175 electric shift slipping in forward gear

Boomyal and Rabidfish: <br />: Thanks for the info, please let me know where to obtain a good used unit (approx Cost) and plastic spacer. My E mail: jksmith45@hotmail<br /><br />Fuel pump, starter solenoid, Tilt motor, carb: are normal repair when you have any boat over 5 years old, most due to corroded connection from water esp. salt water boat

 

[Boomyal]

Re: omc 175 electric shift slipping in forward gear

Originally posted by John Smith:<br /> Boomyal and Rabidfish: <br />: Thanks for the info, please let me know where to obtain a good used unit (approx Cost) and plastic spacer. My E mail: jksmith45@hotmail<br /><br />Fuel pump, starter solenoid, Tilt motor, carb: are normal repair when you have any boat over 5 years old, most due to corroded connection from water esp. salt water boat

Keep an eye on Ebay. Be carefull that you don't pay based on someones claim about how it works. Because these are older units, you could have a lot of worn parts that are waiting to give up. Try to get a complete unit that you would expect to have to go thru. They are much more reliable than electrics.

 

[rabidfish]

Re: omc 175 electric shift slipping in forward gear

Gary, and John...<br /><br />The spacers are on the way to me.<br />I'll be in contact once I have them.<br /><br />We should be able to get you fixed for a minimum...

 

[whitesig]

Re: omc 175 electric shift slipping in forward gear

Thanks for all the help. I changed spacer and while at it the spring and hub. Just got back from lake with success.

 

[rabidfish]

Re: omc 175 electric shift slipping in forward gear

Good job Gary...<br /><br />Thanks for letting us know it worked!