OMC 800 Outdrive Questions

[hrdcor32]

I'm new at this boat thing so excuse me if my questions seem simple. I bought the headphone looking things to run water through the outdrive but no water will go in. Does the engine need to be running or am I not doing something? Thanks

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC 800 Outdrive Questions

Never used earmuffs for the 800 outdrive. The best way is to obtain a flush kit for that unit. It replaces the right side pivot cap on the intermediate housing and has a male hose fitting with screw on cap. You just screw on a female/female GHT adaptor and hook your hose to it and go.

 

[keelhauled]

Re: OMC 800 Outdrive Questions

My 800 (mech shift) won't take any water if it's not running. I think it has difficulty getting through the raw water pump. Just be sure you have good, solid water volume feeding the drive or you will toast the water pumps. Trust me, the raw water pump in an 800 is no picnic to replace. <br /><br />The way I do it (which is probably not the best way)is to hook up the muffs, turn on the water, start the motor and watch the exhaust bypass (little grid anode thingy on the bottom of the intermediate housing) for water. You should very quickly see water flowing from the exhaust bypass. There should also be a water jet spraying the ball gears. Unlike a Mercruiser, you probably won't see any water out of the prop.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[Boatist]

Re: OMC 800 Outdrive Questions

Hrdcor<br />I have the flush adapter that Boomyal is talking about and most of the time I use that but you can also use muff on it. With the flush adapter you will get water running out the prop with out the engine running but you will not flush the engine without engine running. With engine off on the adapter water will run up to the front of the engine run acrossed the thermostat to exhaust manifold out thru the riser and down and out the prop. Note no water entered the engine. To flush the engine engine must be running and warmed up until the thermostat opeans then water will be pumped into the engine and out thru the thermostat.<br /><br />On the muff water does not seen to make it thru the water pump unless the engine is running. Then it is the same process. With the outdrive all the way down water should come out the prop. Water should also be sprayed on the ball gears<br /><br />Since you are new make sure put muff on holes in outdrive below the cavition plate. The hole above the plate are exhaust holes. Never run the engine with out water going to it or you will melt your water pump is seconds. Also if you get the flushing adapter always screw the cap back on the the hose hook up connection. If you do not then in the water water will come out that hose hook up connection and the engine will over heat at slow speeds.

 

[hrdcor32]

Re: OMC 800 Outdrive Questions

thanks for the info and patience on my simple questions. now i need to know what oil and lubrication to use where on the outdrive. i have a oil fill on the side of the outdrive that says use OMC motor oil. and i have two fill plugs on the top of the outdrive that dont say what to put in them. i just need to know what kind of oil or gear lube goes where. thanks a lot guys.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC 800 Outdrive Questions

The motor oil is for the tilt mechanism clutch pack. You have four areas for fluid lube. The afore mentioned, the intermediate housing, the upper and lower gearcases The later three all take 75w-90 MARINE gear oil. Depending on the year, you may not have a drain plug for the intermediate housing. Just make sure it is always full. It takes very little lube as it only lubricates the tapered roller for the ballgear to flywheel shaft. <br /><br />There are also four zerk fittings. Two behind the rubber bumper caps for the outdrive pivots and two for the lateral steering shaft. One of those is accessed under the outdrive , on the intermediate housing, by the steering gear. The other is inside the transom, on the intermediate housing by where the steering shaft enters the forward shaft support bushing.<br /><br />Also, if you have tru course steering, you'll want to get a lubricant inside the cable housing to keep from getting increased steering effort.

 

[hrdcor32]

Re: OMC 800 Outdrive Questions

thanks alot for the info it helped a lot. how can i tell if i have tru course steering? thanks for being patient with my newbie questions. you answers have helped a lot.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC 800 Outdrive Questions

True Course steering will have a yellow direction indicator inside a clear window around the base of the steering wheel. If you look under the dash you should see a 'drum' that houses the two cables. There will be an identical drum attached to the right side of the intermediate housing just forward of the transom. In between will be a double cable housing that contains the two cables. I just lubricated my cableways after 29 years. Made a huge difference in the reduction of steering effort.