OMC 800 Tilt Clutch Pack Question

[pbmang]

I recently inherited a 1978 Glastron from my grandfather with the OMC 800 on the rear. Everything was working great until one day the tilt would not come up. Luckily I could trim the motor and raise it about 2 inches off the ground, and since I live 1/2 mile from the ramp, was able to get her home without dragging the ground.

I did some reading, and evidently this is a common problem. I decided to start working on the issue last night, and thought I would check/clean the clutch pack out. I opened it up and sure enough, it looked like spoiled chocolate milk. I pulled the clutch packs out, cleaned them up, soaked them in WD40, greased everything and reinstalled. I also read where you can remove the three bolts holding the tilt shaft cover plate so that the lower unit can be moved more easily. So, I pull the cover plate off, and noticed a cap and could not figure out how to remove it. So, I just let it be. However, it did seem like it was a little crooked in the shaft, so I'm not sure if I have a problem there as well.

Anyway, I reassemble the clutches and button everything back up. Now, I can easily move the lower unit by hand, but the tilt function does not work. I am wanting to take the boat to the lake this weekend, and am worried when I put it in reverse that it will cause the lower unit to kick up and possibly break a u-joint or worse.

The only thing I can think is that I possible assembled the clutch pack incorrectly. In looking through the manual, it says there are three washer looking pieces call springs. I am thinking I maybe put them in backwards. From what I remember they had a slight dome shape to them, but I am not 100%.

So, now for the question. Should I be able to easily move the lower unit by hand like that or is something put together wrong?

Thanks for all the help!

Chris

 

[wire2]

Re: OMC 800 Tilt Clutch Pack Question

There are no U joints in a stringer drive, so no prob there.

The "domed washers" are actually springs. They have to be placed together such that they oppose each other. i e, place them to make the stack as tall as possible. If you have them all the same direction, they won't work, and there's no tension on the clutches. Hence, you have no friction, and yes, the leg will kick up in reverse. (but no harm done)

Mine started to slip a bit once, I added 1 flat washer to increase tension a bit, it worked fine. That was easier than trying to find new clutch discs.

If all is working correctly, you can't move the leg by hand. In fact, if it's tilted up, you can stand on it.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC 800 Tilt Clutch Pack Question

I also read where you can remove the three bolts holding the tilt shaft cover plate so that the lower unit can be moved more easily.

without that triangular plate, the first time you drop the drive, the parts will fly into the lake.

I think you might have read that you can take the three bolts off the large quadrant gear in an emergency to tilt the drive manually and get the boat onto the trailer, and somehow confused that with the cover.

you are correct in assuming it will kick up without the clutch - you won't have any reverse thrust so you'll need to take another shot at the clutch

 

[pbmang]

Re: OMC 800 Tilt Clutch Pack Question

Thanks guys. The three springs were all stuck together when I removed them (originally I thought it was just a thick washer) and could not get them to seperate. Any tips on getting them apart? The only thing I can thing of is start with a razor blade and try to slowly pry them apart. Also, the clutches can go in any way, correct? There is not a right/wrong way for them to face.

Also, is there any trick in compressing the clutch and spings to allow enough space to install the outer snap ring? When I put it all back together it was tough getting everything compressed enough to install the snap ring. I can only imagne how much harder it will be with the springs mounted correctly.

Finally, no problems running the boat as is, as long as I don't reverse, correct?

Thanks Again!
Chris

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC 800 Tilt Clutch Pack Question

Also, is there any trick in compressing the clutch and spings to allow enough space to install the outer snap ring?

I cant imagine how it could be done safely without a press.

 

[pbmang]

Re: OMC 800 Tilt Clutch Pack Question

Cool, I have one in the shed I'll have to dig out I guess. The strange thing is when I first pulled it apart, there was almost 0 tension on snap ring.

Just to make sure I am 100% on the same page. I should pull it all apart and remove the shaft from the tilt housing. Use the press (and possibly insert another washer into the mix for a little more tension) and reassemble the clutch pack. Put it back into the house. Install the gear on the end of the housing and hope for the best. Does that sound about right?

Also, when I pulled the clutches out, there were two small rings (very thin metal) on the inside that seperated the clutches from the inside snap ring on the tilt shaft. Would this be the best place to add the washer or should I put it between the springs and outer snap ring?

Thanks again for all the help. I know they are pretty basic, but I am trying not to ask too many stupid questions!

 

[superbenk]

Re: OMC 800 Tilt Clutch Pack Question

Also, when I pulled the clutches out, there were two small rings (very thin metal) on the inside that seperated the clutches from the inside snap ring on the tilt shaft. Would this be the best place to add the washer or should I put it between the springs and outer snap ring?

Between the springs & the snap-ring. Good luck, those clutch packs are a pain & expensive to replace. I pinned mine together (not recommended), so I really hope I never hit anything substantial.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC 800 Tilt Clutch Pack Question

yeah worse comes to worst, you can just drill right through the whole stack and bolt it.
Bolted, you'll have the same protection as every Mercruiser which is none.

could probably use a shear pin or shear bolt from the hardware store.

 

[superbenk]

Re: OMC 800 Tilt Clutch Pack Question

yeah worse comes to worst, you can just drill right through the whole stack and bolt it.
Bolted, you'll have the same protection as every Mercruiser which is none.

could probably use a shear pin or shear bolt from the hardware store.

Shear pin is technically what I used, but I'd still like to not test it's shearing capabilities

 

[wire2]

Re: OMC 800 Tilt Clutch Pack Question

I cant imagine how it could be done safely without a press.

I did it in a large vise with a jig but it takes 3 hands to hold things in place and tighten.

 

[wire2]

Re: OMC 800 Tilt Clutch Pack Question

Thanks guys. The three springs were all stuck together when I removed them (originally I thought it was just a thick washer) and could not get them to seperate. Any tips on getting them apart? ....

Put them in a vise edgewise on an angle, so that as you tighten, 1 jaw pushes on one, the other jaw on the other. Unless they're rusted together, it's just the oil film holding them.

 

[pbmang]

Re: OMC 800 Tilt Clutch Pack Question

Thats a lot for the help guys. After doing a little thinking, I think I can use a modified bearing puller to compress everything. If not, I like the idea of the sheer pin as well.