OMC Sterndrive 800 no reverse

[greenpea]

Hi<br />This is my first post for my first boat.1979 19ft Reinell Cuddy with a 350 and an OMC 800 I/O. I bought it a few weeks ago and things looked fine until I tried reverse. I have Learned since I bought it that the 800 is a hydro shift system that isn't very good to begin with. I adjusted the F/R indicator but could only get a small amount of power to the prop in reverse(forward works fine) When in the water it didn't have enough power to even move the boat. I was quoted 10k for a repower by Clemens Marine. I don't have that. I found a used out drive for sale but i'm not sure what it is. I have a pic if anyone could help my identify it. The guy said it was a 1978 OMC and was powered by a 350 aswell. It looks a little different. I like the boat so if I could fix it without breaking the bank I would fish every weekend. <br /><br />Curtis

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC Sterndrive 800 no reverse

Greanpea, you are one lucky individual. You happen to live a stones throw from one of the best OMC guru's in the business. Ryan's Marine on E Marine Dr on the Columbia.<br /><br />It is not true that that "it isn't any good to begin with". It has many advantages over the 'black anchors'. It is true that because OMC is out of business, parts prices are higher than Merc. <br /><br />You won't hear too much good here re: OMC drives. They're all too busy whining and crying about their gimbal bearings, bellows, engine alignment etc etc , incidently, none of which you need to worry about. <br /><br />If your drive engages in reverse, you have a trottle linkage adjustment problem in your throttle/shift control.<br /><br />If you do not know the history of your particular drive and you like your boat, I advise that you have your drive gone thru. You can get many more enjoyable years out of that drive if you don't blow it up from neglect. There are, like any drive, things that wear out inside.<br /><br />I've been running mine since 1980, and I just had mine torn down this summer, for the first time since I owned it. Ryan has some little tricks that are good for the drive.<br /><br />If you don't know how to post a picture here send me a picture of the other drive at xxxxxxx

 

[greenpea]

Re: OMC Sterndrive 800 no reverse

Thanks for the good word. I feel better now. I thought maybe I had made a mistake. I'll get Ryan on the phone and see what he has to say. I'll also send you the pic.<br /><br />GP

 

[THE BEEF]

Re: OMC Sterndrive 800 no reverse

Greenpea<br />I bought a 22' skiffcraft with a 800 stringer in the spring. I read all the horror stories on them.So far, no problems,runs great. I think the number one thing on these drives is maintenance. Check oil levels on the drive often,use the good drive lube<br />synthetic, the blue stuff. Check ball gear wear pattern.If you need information on the drive I have an offical factory manual on the drive.Just drop me a note. (yes I have the Hydraulic assist)<br />Oh buy the way,a friend at work here had just put<br />$700.00 in a Merc. drive this spring 15hr later<br />broke a gear tooth in upper drive box. I happens!<br /><br /><br />Good luck<br /><br />THE BEEF

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC Sterndrive 800 no reverse

DO NOT RUN WITH THE OUTDRIVE IN ANY ELEVATED POSTITION.

 

[THE BEEF]

Re: OMC Sterndrive 800 no reverse

AMEN Boomyal!<br />