Omc 1973 165hp unkown problem

nicklewinski

Recruit
Joined
Aug 3, 2008
Messages
2
Last night I took out my boat for the first time! Me and a buddy decided to cruise upriver. This is when I found my first problem. When the boat comes up on plane as soon as you hit a wave (1') the boat kicks out sideways(always to portside). It is so violent we were afraid it would either A flip over or B throw one of us out. We then just plowed down river about a mile with no problems till we heard the belt howling. My buddy took the motor cover off to find the water just shy of the floor. We immediately turned back. It was apparent that we were going to sink put out the distress flag and called 911.


Coast guard was there in 2 minutes. After a few more tense minutes we started to get the water down in the boat. Before it was all said and done the water was just below the air cleaner. The USCG towed and pumped out my boat back to the launch. Once we got the boat on the trailer I could see that the brand new transom seal had a hole in it and was separated from the lower unit. I had replaced it Because the original had a hole in the exact same spot. I dont know much about boats as this is my first. But the motor mounts look homemade. The motor seems very solid in the boat.

Could it be the motor shifting in place on plane causing the violent turn? Both times it turned to the right hard. As anyone had this problem or know the cause? How expensive is it to repair? Is it best left to a shop? Is it worth it to repair or should I get another boat I will post pictures later today. The Boat is a 1973 Steury 18' with a 165hp Omc Chevy straight 6 250ci i believe.

I checked out the damage done today to the boat. The motor mounts have been completely ripped out. There were not like this before. They were probably damaged when the boat threw us. I talked with the previous owner.
He said when they bought the boat he put the wood in because the original fiberglass boxes were broken. The person he bought it off of said it threw him and that is when they were broken. A marina put a new engine in it a year ago. The new mounts were in it at that time and said they were good and sound. I now will have to replace the stringers but I don't think this is the cause of the problem.

Could it be jumping out of gear into neutral or reverse? A problem with the electric shift? I have included some pictures of the damage to show how violent it is when it throws you.

The pictures are located here http://www.marineengine.com/discus/m...8/215573.shtml
 
Last edited:

Alumarine

Captain
Joined
Feb 22, 2005
Messages
3,757
Re: Omc 1973 165hp unkown problem

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I can't help you, but if you used some paragraphs it would be a lot easier for people to help you.

Maybe we could get a sticky on punctuation and paragraphs.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,357
Re: Omc 1973 165hp unkown problem

Ayuh,... Hi Nick,+ Welcome to the iboats.com forums....
I can't be of much Help either,...
But,..
The Motor,+ Outdrive package you have was never all that popular,+ has been out of the market for Many Years....
Somebody may be along with a answer to the question of Why it might have happened,....
The only Advise I'll offer is,....
If you have No great love for this boat,.....Sell it, Part it out,.. Whatever...
It's pretty much a Lost drive,+ a Lost cause,.. Parts are getting Rarer,+ your's is already somewhat of an Oddball being a straight 6....

Good Luck...
Btw,..
Your pictures Aren't at that link....
 

fendersfender

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Messages
317
Re: Omc 1973 165hp unkown problem

yep............junk it.......the boot ripped, and it was throwing you sideways because of broken/loose motor mounts....probably rotten wood.....and like bondo stated...that drive system is obsolete....so unless you have way too much money to throw around..its not worth it....
 
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