OMC 800 Outdrive installing clutch dog..NEED HELP

[Brijoe00]

I have received alot of great advice and help on here. I need just a bit more from the OMC experts out there.

I am installing a new clutch dog and reverse gear on my 800 outdrive. I am having trouble getting the prop shaft with the clutch dog installed. On the end of the clutch dog rod which sticks out of the end of the prop shaft is a shift cradle which meets with the shift lever. This is what moves the clutch dog when the shift rod is moved.

How do I get the cradle to connect to the lever. I am trying to slide the prop shaft down the lower unit housing and into the oil pump where the cradle and lever meet up. It seems almost impossable to me to make these two pieces fit together. Is there a trick to this? Do I need to remove the oilpum and fit these pieces together somehow that way? If so how do I get the oil pump out.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: OMC 800 Outdrive installing clutch dog..NEED HELP

just checking some of your prior posts and profile - your 800 is reportedly a 1985/6 on your profile? The last oil pump used in a stringer lower unit by OMC was 1981. I wonder if you are trying to put 1985 gears in a 1978-1981 lower - different parts. My book only covers 1982-85/6 full mechanical so I can't be of much help....

 

[Brijoe00]

Re: OMC 800 Outdrive installing clutch dog..NEED HELP

Ok well, you must forgive me as I may not know what I am talking about. This is the first outdrive I have ever tackled myself. It may not have an oil pump I just assumed that's what it was down inside there. My manual isnt real clear.

The boat is an early 1986 Seaswirl, which still had an 800 outdrive. This 800 has the mechanical shift. If you look down inside the prop shaft housing of the lower unit there is the bearing race, with several needle bearings which the forward gear sets inside of. Just beyond the needle bearings is where the shift lever sticks down from the shift rod. I assumed the assembly down where the needle bearing are was the oil pump. But now that you mention it I dont believe it is.

Nevertheless this is where my question is. Like I said, just beyond the needle bearings is where the shift lever sticks down to attach to the shift cradle on the clutch dog. How do I get those two pieces to fit together when I am trying to slide the forward gear, and prop shaft into position. Theres no way to get hands down there, and there is no play to make the slip together. I am getting frustrated, lol.