OMC 400 outdrive not engaging in reverse

[P. Oechsner]

I just bought a 79 silverline tri hull with a 140hp omc 400 sterndrive combo. I am not new to boating but have never owned an omc before. The maiden voyage did not go well I have no reverse and the engine overheated as soon as I got on plane. I have the overheating problem figured out but am confused on the shifting problem. going from forward to neutral the outdrive will not disengage from forward until I shift it towards reverse. Going in reverse all I get is grinding if I rev any higher than idle. This to me seems like a linkage adjustment is off. I have a manual on order but all the research I have done online seems to be electric shift models or cobra outdrives. just wondering if anybody has any experience with this. Thank you.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC 400 outdrive not engaging in reverse

Disconnect the helm cable from the shift converter box and see if the converter lever is somewhat centered then try to shift it from the lever. You could have an issue with the helm shifter or the converter setup, the cable itself or inside the lower drive. You have to eliminate them one by one.

 

[P. Oechsner]

Re: OMC 400 outdrive not engaging in reverse

thank you. been pretty busy lately. haven't had a chance to check it out. I am getting ready to replace the impeller. do I have to take the whole upper housing apart or just remove the swivel hosing as an assembly? would really like to do this without having to mess with the ball gear shafts.

 

[southkogs]

Re: OMC 400 outdrive not engaging in reverse

Impeller is on the bottom of the upper gear case. Taking the whole drive off will make it easier to work on (IMHO) as you can stick it on a bench. But you can just pull the lower unit and change the impeller out.

 

[P. Oechsner]

Re: OMC 400 outdrive not engaging in reverse

I have been reading the service manual and it jumps from one thing to another (not very easy for a simpleton like me). after reading again tonight it looks like I can service the water pump without dismantling the ball gear shafts which would mean I don't need the shim kit I have been waiting on all this time. I have the complete water pump kit and upper housing seal kit plus the shim kit now. should be everything I need. anybody want in on my wife's "BOAT WILL NEVER RUN AGAIN POOL"?

 

[southkogs]

Re: OMC 400 outdrive not engaging in reverse

...anybody want in on my wife's "BOAT WILL NEVER RUN AGAIN POOL"?

That's hilarious

BUT ... if I can do it, ANYONE can do it.

You can remove your entire stern drive without effecting your ball gears or shims. I'm not positive on details on yours because I have an electric shift and it's a little easier to deal with (at least in that regard). You have a couple items (shift cable being the main one, I think) that are expensive to try to replace should ya' break one. Pullin' the drive, however, doesn't do anything to the ball gears. You don't have to worry about them (at least, while you're working on the impeller), even if you want to separate the upper and lower units.

Is your Silverline the Hilo or the Comoro? I'd like to see pictures if you have any.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC 400 outdrive not engaging in reverse

Although, apparently, many have done it, you are playing with fire trying to do the impeller without removing the whole drive. You put your very expensive shift cable in jeopardy plus you're having to do everything upside down which does nothing for the exactness of the job.

 

[P. Oechsner]

Re: OMC 400 outdrive not engaging in reverse

the hull tag says Comoro 17t. the t must designate that its a tri-hull. I will post a few pics if I remember to take some next time it is out of the shed.

 

[southkogs]

Re: OMC 400 outdrive not engaging in reverse

Correct, T for Tri-hull. The Comoro is a great hull, I really like mine. It's a big, heavy boat for the type, but makes for a nice cruising boat.

 

[P. Oechsner]

Re: OMC 400 outdrive not engaging in reverse

Is your Silverline the Hilo or the Comoro? I'd like to see pictures if you have any.[/QU

Are there any pics of your boat on here?

 

[southkogs]

Re: OMC 400 outdrive not engaging in reverse

Are there any pics of your boat on here?

HERE is what she looked like when I dragged her home, and HERE is after some elbow grease. Don't know if you know about THIS site or not, but there's some good information available.

Couple more places for you look around some: Few Silverline guys in HERE. And a couple of threads HERE and HERE, because we tri-hull loons gotta' stick together

 

[P. Oechsner]

Re: OMC 400 outdrive not engaging in reverse

thanks. those links are awesome. I will check them out more in depth tonight.

 

[P. Oechsner]

Re: OMC 400 outdrive not engaging in reverse

like the tri-hull club. I will join as soon as I have some good photos to submit. are there any stickers left?

 

[southkogs]

Re: OMC 400 outdrive not engaging in reverse

PM RED FURY and he can hook you up.

 

[bigdirty]

Re: OMC 400 outdrive not engaging in reverse

I had the exact same issue with my 800 series, (I agree btw, take the whole drive off, its just easier in the end) and if they are at all similar id say its a shift cable adjustment, or a sticking cable causing your problem.. the latter being a huge pain in the arse, and could cause u to start drinking heavily (if u don't already) and/or having thoughts of wanting to someday meet the engineer that came up with the design and punch him square in the crotch. Adjusting the shift cables is a somewhat less harrowing experience, but can be touchy and just when u think you have it, its still not quite right.. another ill conceived and poorly executed omc design.. anyway, I never could get mine to shift as well as I liked, so I put a twin stick shifter in, that way it was ONLY a shift cable to set, which I could 'feel' and the throttle was completely separate. (made docking soooo much easier!) Mine had no 'shift interrupt' or anything similar, and if the rpm got slightly above idle (which couldn't be adjusted out of the single control), it would grind like a 16 year old kid trying to find reverse in a Volkswagen.. basically it was impossible for me to set the cables equally for fwd/rev, but perhaps yours isn't as worn, and you can find the happy spot... you know, where u just 'go boating' and things work.. instead of cursing and swearing at the damn thing :laugh: good luck

Matt

 

[P. Oechsner]

Re: OMC 400 outdrive not engaging in reverse

thanks bigdirty. I hope i get a chance to go play boat sometime soon. been working on my house and now deer season starts Saturday and then elk season after that. then i should finish my house so i will probly be still waiting to fix the boat in two years when the next big humpy run comes in.

 

[P. Oechsner]

Re: OMC 400 outdrive not engaging in reverse

finally got a chance to work on the boat today. took a day off from working on the house and got the impeller kit installed. put the outdrive back on after dark and will hopefully be able to get the shift linkage put back together tomorrow after work. maybe even get to go on a test drive this coming weekend.

 

[southkogs]

Re: OMC 400 outdrive not engaging in reverse

Took one yesterday and it was CHILLY down here ...

Hope it all goes back together easy for ya'.

 

[Skipperlll]

Re: OMC 400 outdrive not engaging in reverse

Greetings,
your in luck. I just did my whole out drive upper and lower. Not to mention the water impeller in a blistering 8hrs and never done before.
Your problem is most likely in the shift cable area.
What has happened is some one, not me dropped the lower unit and did not engage the correct pinion gear in
the shift housing, on the lower unit. I recommend not boating till you fix or have it fixed.

If you decide to do the work and are up for a challenge you will be in a small club of self proclamed OMC technicians.

This will get you started. (through the book away, just kidding )

* put shift lever at the helm in Neutral
* remove cable box after of motor (2 flat head screws )
take cover off cable box and plastic cable guide.
* drop lower unit, yes drop the unit and careful to keep it close to upper unit so as cable is not pulled on. ( a large bucket maybe)
* unbolt shift housing from lower unit.
* At cable box SLIGHTLY pull down on cable intention paws ( spring loaded arm under the box).
this will loosen the cables so as you can disconnect them from the wedge.
* manually shift lower unit so as its also in neutral
* you should have two cables free and the housing box unmounted.
* lay the wedge in the box the way it should be in neutral and pull cables to engage the correct tooth.
with the ends of the cables so as they mount in the corresponding locations.

* Put the cover and box back and it should be miller time.

Edit: Removed email addy

 

[Skipperlll]

Re: OMC 400 outdrive not engaging in reverse

If I was working on it she'd be smart not to take that bet. Ive bought a bout that was on the trailer for 7 years and had it two more years before I launched it. Ran fine.

How can I help you?
I love a challenge.

Skipper
EDIT: Sorry Skipper, no email addresses 'in the open'