OMC 400 Upper Unit

[CumminsTurbo22]

Hey guys well had the boat out in the water and the upperunit was making a wierd sounds , put it back on the trailer and ripped the motor out along with the stern drive. Found out shortly after ripping it apart that one of the bearings inside blew up. the gears are still fine but all the bearings are shot. I need help finding bearing part numbers. dont wanna go to a marina and pay there prices since there is a bearing store down the street from me. Can anybody help me find a exploded diagram with part numbers? I couldnt find anything in my OMC book that said part numbers on it. Since the bearings are scared i cant read the numbers.
THanks
Nick

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC 400 Upper Unit

Bearings do not blow up.
Common problems with those uppers leading to bearing failure:
1. water intrusion / loss of gear lube
2. ball gears worn at a 45 degree due to running tilted causes rear horizontal bearing to spin in aluminum case. therefore losing backlash and bearing preload.
3. outdrive strike distorts upper housing trunnion ears and misaligns bearings.

Need to investigate and properly analyze why the bearing(s) failed, and especially #2 before buying any parts. The housing is often not salvageable.
There is a place I know of that has a method of securing a new bearing race by drilling through the outside of the case and plug seating the new race.
I would just suggest sending them the whole upper and getting it rebuilt. They have done hundreds of them. pm if you want details.

However, if the case is ok, and you have the OMC manual, and the tools and experience required to set up the gears and new bearings, GLM has a complete re-bearing kit that is priced competitive to any bearing house and it comes with shims and such for the job. 1 part number and you get all parts needed for the job + you need a seal kit.

 

[CumminsTurbo22]

Re: OMC 400 Upper Unit

Well when i received a boat, the boat was sitting out for 5 years uncovered with water, so i had a crack at the block and popped freeze plugs. when i opened up the gear housing it was milky, so yes it had water in it. before it was taken offshore i flushed the system and added new fluid. but water seemed to still gain inside its seems like. and yes the ball gears are worn pretty badly. so i guess it was a little bit of everything. and to think i just put it on the water to see if it floats. lol
Ive got a quote for 1500 bucks to rebuild it and seen on ebay for a refreshed one for 900. i dont know if its worth it to have it fixed. boat needs more TLC, seats, ect. ill end up spending 3k and lots of labor when ive been finding decent boats around the house for 1500. this is just my .02. whats your opinion?

 

[spanishmackeral]

Re: OMC 400 Upper Unit

ebasicpower.com will have all the parts you need. I had the same problem but with a 800 series and i had to replace the housing.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC 400 Upper Unit

i dont know if its worth it to have it fixed. boat needs more TLC, seats, ect. ill end up spending 3k and lots of labor when ive been finding decent boats around the house for 1500. this is just my .02. whats your opinion?

depends on floor, stringers and transom, but I've pushed lots of boats like yours into the landfill.

one scenario:
Good lower unit with shift cable will fetch you $400+ on eBay
Engine will get $750-$950 locally on craigslist if you can demo it running.

Intermediate shaft and coupler will get you $50 on eBay

Then put what's left on craigslist/kijiji for "free"- offer to deliver and dump off your trailer on their lawn to save landfill tipping fees and go shopping with cash in your pocket.

another scenario:

buy a similar boat with a blown engine and use it's drive

another scenario:

buy a similar boat with a blown engine and give it your engine

Only YOU know if the boat is what you need/want.

I've put lots of money into boats that weren't worth half of what was spent, but because "little Timmy learned to ski behind it" or "I(Big Tim) learned to ski behind it with Grampa at the wheel"
it made sense ultimately to the owner at the time.

 

[CumminsTurbo22]

Re: OMC 400 Upper Unit

depends on floor, stringers and transom, but I've pushed lots of boats like yours into the landfill.

one scenario:
Good lower unit with shift cable will fetch you $400+ on eBay
Engine will get $750-$950 locally on craigslist if you can demo it running.

Intermediate shaft and coupler will get you $50 on eBay

Then put what's left on craigslist/kijiji for "free"- offer to deliver and dump off your trailer on their lawn to save landfill tipping fees and go shopping with cash in your pocket.

another scenario:

buy a similar boat with a blown engine and use it's drive

another scenario:

buy a similar boat with a blown engine and give it your engine

Only YOU know if the boat is what you need/want.

I've put lots of money into boats that weren't worth half of what was spent, but because "little Timmy learned to ski behind it" or "I(Big Tim) learned to ski behind it with Grampa at the wheel"
it made sense ultimately to the owner at the time.

Yeah so i just took your advise on selling it and took pictures of everything and sent them on craigslist. I really dont have the time nor will the wife let me fix the boat with all those labor hours. lol
thanks guys
Nick
Let me know if you need parts or such...

 

[sea wolf]

Re: OMC 400 Upper Unit

I think you made the right decision. A buddy of mine has the same setup only on a Chris Craft. Last year he put $1500. into the drive with parts he bought on ebay. Did the work himself. He finally got it in the water, ran it for 20 min., & I'm not sure why but the drive dynamited. So now the boat is a lawn ornament cuz he's so disgusted. In my opinion, the OMC's of that vintage just ain't worth the expense & hassle of keeping them running. Sell what you can & go get a Merc or Volvo powered setup.