OMC Stern Drive Tilt Clutch Assembly (packed correctly?)

[skid_68]

OMC 1983 I/O
Hey guys, lots of useful information around here, but I have a question I haven't been able to find an answer to. Long story short. I took the tilt clutch assembly apart in the dark ON the boat one night a couple years ago, and haven't been able to get it back together correctly since. I almost bought an assembled assembly on ebay a couple times to save the hassle. But I want to try and tackle it once more. It will tilt the outdrive up and down just fine. But it will not stay up up on the trailer, and flies up in reverse. So I know that I put the clutch back together incorrectly. I just found out that the 3 cupped washers in the assembly are actually like springs to help give it tension, I had them all stacked together with the cups going the same direction. I've attatched a hand drawn picture of how I think it all needs to go back together. I'm mainly curious about the three cupped washers. Do I have them facing the right way for all three? Also, the assemblys Ive seen on ebay have a retaining ring on both ends of the clutch pack. Mine has a stepped pin that goes through the shaft as you can see in the pictures below, and rests against that fat washer. It is held in place when the clutch is all packed, and also it can be tightened or loosened with a screw/bolt that is inside the shaft which pushes against the pin. I assume for clutch fine tuning. If all else fails, and I decide to just buy a new assembly. Will the ones with a retaining ring, instead of the pin like I have, work on my outdrive? Ive looked at the seloc manual, but it doesn't give me enough information, and its not the same assembly I have anyway. One last thing. How do I get this all backtogether correctly without a hydraulic press? Or am I SOL without one? Thanks everyone I really appreciate you helping me out with this. I really want to get this fixed once and for all.

 

[skid_68]

Re: OMC Stern Drive Tilt Clutch Assembly (packed correctly?)

One more

 

[superbenk]

Re: OMC Stern Drive Tilt Clutch Assembly (packed correctly?)

That pack looks significantly different than mine does. You'll definitely want a press to get it back together, but you might be able to squeeze it with a strong vice if you're really careful.

This matches my setup more than yours, but maybe it will help. It's from section 8-11 of the Solec manual:


(Click image for larger picture)

Also, you need to downsize your images to <400px wide or the moderators will do it for you or remove them.

 

[skid_68]

Re: OMC Stern Drive Tilt Clutch Assembly (packed correctly?)

Will do on the pic size, thanks for the heads up. So the way the 3 springs/washers are arranged is the correct way? I saw that picture in the manual, but it doesn't specify which way the springs need to face, and am I missing another washer that goes up against the springs and retaining ring?

 

[superbenk]

Re: OMC Stern Drive Tilt Clutch Assembly (packed correctly?)

Like I said, yours looks different than mine or what's in the manual. I'm not sure why. Those spring washers don't look right like that to me, but I can't confirm. About the best image I found online (without going out and tearing mine apart which won't happen tonight ) is from this site where they have a used assembly for sale. It looks more like mine does:

http://www.sterndrive.info/id4.html

I almost wonder if the 3 spring washers should all be facing the same direction (bowed toward the shaft end with the edges against the outside clutch plate) for proper spring pressure & dimensions.

Sorry I can't be more help. Maybe someone else can chime in. I've had that thing apart tons of times, but it just looks different.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC Stern Drive Tilt Clutch Assembly (packed correctly?)

ebay item 380248295585 has good pics

 

[superbenk]

Re: OMC Stern Drive Tilt Clutch Assembly (packed correctly?)

One more

Is it me or is that big pin that goes through the shaft not supposed to be there? Was that drilled and added by someone? That's the part that's throwing me off I think.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC Stern Drive Tilt Clutch Assembly (packed correctly?)

Is it me or is that big pin that goes through the shaft not supposed to be there?

it's you

 

[superbenk]

Re: OMC Stern Drive Tilt Clutch Assembly (packed correctly?)

it's you

Fair enough. Mine hold the plates in place on the splined side with a large C-clip. Never saw one with the pin.

 

[skid_68]

Re: OMC Stern Drive Tilt Clutch Assembly (packed correctly?)

ebay item 380248295585 has good pics

Yeah I've looked at that item, and almost bought it. I just cant tell which way all three spring washers are facing, and with every picture I see an assembly. I think I'm missing a washer/shim that goes on top of the spring washers. Does anyone know for sure?

 

[studdy05]

Re: OMC Stern Drive Tilt Clutch Assembly (packed correctly?)

I've got an 83 as well and broke mine down bc it was slipping. I'm fairly certain all three spring washers go the same direction and the middle screw uses the tension from this spring to determine when slippage occurs. I bought another off of eBay that was designed for an older model and it was totally different. They are tricky buggers to get just right. Nothing I've read explains setting them well. I've got mine functional after hours of trial and error. I know that's not much help but I feel your pain. Someone ought to be able to write clear concise methods for putting them back together correctly and setting the tension.

 

[skid_68]

Re: OMC Stern Drive Tilt Clutch Assembly (packed correctly?)

I've got an 83 as well and broke mine down bc it was slipping. I'm fairly certain all three spring washers go the same direction and the middle screw uses the tension from this spring to determine when slippage occurs. I bought another off of eBay that was designed for an older model and it was totally different. They are tricky buggers to get just right. Nothing I've read explains setting them well. I've got mine functional after hours of trial and error. I know that's not much help but I feel your pain. Someone ought to be able to write clear concise methods for putting them back together correctly and setting the tension.

Thanks studdy, what are your thoughts about a washer/shim on top of the springs before the retaining ring? Every picture Ive seen has one, so I think Im missing one. How thick would you say yours might be, assuming you have one. 1/8", 3/16"?

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: OMC Stern Drive Tilt Clutch Assembly (packed correctly?)

IIRC, those 'spring washers' don't all go in the same way, ((( but go like: ()( or )(). I had a diagram when I repaced mine, I'll look around and see if I can find it.

 

[skid_68]

Re: OMC Stern Drive Tilt Clutch Assembly (packed correctly?)

IIRC, those 'spring washers' don't all go in the same way, ((( but go like: ()( or )(). I had a diagram when I repaced mine, I'll look around and see if I can find it.

That would be awesome. What are your thoughts about missing a shim/washer that goes on top of those springs? I think I'am, but dont know what size it is.

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: OMC Stern Drive Tilt Clutch Assembly (packed correctly?)

I can't find the diagram I had, but this BRP site may help:
http://epc.brp.com/Index.aspx?lang=E&s1=3ca1203f-5ff5-4c54-8883-672db6f34677
Under 'Products', select sterndrive, then select your year, horsepower, then Intermediate housing group.
It doesn't show the orientation of the springs but I'm 99% sure they go as I posted above. It's similar to some models of Sherwood first stage SCUBA regulators that use those types of spring washers in the same configuration )()()( (I spent several years as a scuba instructor and equipment repair tech, certified on several major brands of equipment)
It looks like there is a spacer (#63) between the springs & retainer. Not sure of it's size though.

 

[skid_68]

Re: OMC Stern Drive Tilt Clutch Assembly (packed correctly?)

Thanks NW Redneck, yeah I just dont know about those springs. I can't find anything anywhere that tells you which way they go.

I see the spacer you are talking about. I can find it for sale, but no where says what size it is. Guess I'll have to pay $10 for the dang thing, rather than make my own.

I just cant get this clutch packed until I know for sure which way those springs go. Its not that I dont trust ya. The dumb manual should say!

 

[studdy05]

Re: OMC Stern Drive Tilt Clutch Assembly (packed correctly?)

I'm going to gently disagree. Those are Belleville springs and are not designed to work against one another. They work with each other to add more spring power. Turning the hex screw inside the shaft tightens them against the clutch pack to set slippage via a cross bar that sits inside the shaft.

Remember there are two different versions. I'm still trying to locate an exploded view but the springs are one on top of the other. I won't post again until I have a correct diagram for you. Ild rather post proof than theory.

 

[skid_68]

Re: OMC Stern Drive Tilt Clutch Assembly (packed correctly?)

I'm going to gently disagree. Those are Belleville springs and are not designed to work against one another. They work with each other to add more spring power. Turning the hex screw inside the shaft tightens them against the clutch pack to set slippage via a cross bar that sits inside the shaft.

Remember there are two different versions. I'm still trying to locate an exploded view but the springs are one on top of the other. I won't post again until I have a correct diagram for you. Ild rather post proof than theory.

I hope you can find a diagram that shows it. I just cant believe that it's not readily available some where. I really want to get my boat in the water this summer.

 

[studdy05]

Re: OMC Stern Drive Tilt Clutch Assembly (packed correctly?)

http://www.glmmarine.com/pdf/OMC_Catalog.pdf

page 92...thats it and the three springs are together.

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: OMC Stern Drive Tilt Clutch Assembly (packed correctly?)

That looks like the same diagram I found on the BRP site. It still doesn't show the direction of the 'crown' of the springs though.

studdy- now you've got me doubting myself. It was 4+ years ago when I rebuilt my clutch pack and I had a diagram that showed the orientation of the springs, but for the life of me I can't find it.

skid- OK, make that 51% sure. :redface: Now it's gonna drive me nuts until I can figgure this out.