OMC Sterndrive Problems

[Grant Ingle]

Currently working on a 1974 Wellcraft with a 165 HP inline six that has the old OMC outdrive from that era. The unit will trim down in about .00001 seconds but will not trim up at all without manual assistance. I've been told that there are two pumps which do the lifting and also that the easiest way to repair this problem is to remove the outdrive followed by the transom gasket and replace the pumps. When I activate the solenoids for the trim motors, I can hear the motors running but the unit does not budge. I am not familiar with this setup at all (before my time) but what I have been told by another shop is that these pumps need to be replaced. Since the motors seem to be in working order I was hoping that perhaps someone may have another solution to this dilemma for me. I hate to just replace them if there is a rebuild kit available for them or a source for good used parts. This particular repair has really got me stymied so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Grant Ingle]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Problems

Sorry to make you all see this by bringing it back to the top but if anyone can help me with this I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks

 

[dick]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Problems

A couple questions first. 1, are you talking about the tilt for the leg? because back then OMC used a ONE electric motor driving a gear through a clutch pack that lifted the leg ,and thats all it's designed to do ,tilt not trim. 2, or are you talking about the trim system that they used that had a single worm gear style ram on the front of the engine and moved the front of the engine up and down to trim the boat?

 

[Grant Ingle]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Problems

****, <br /><br />Sorry I took so long to respond. I've got the outdrive off right now and all I can see is a single pump that mounts through the transom plate assy. It appears to be a prestolite motor on the tilt pump. Still trying to find an outlet for rebuild kits.

 

[rlouns]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Problems

Hello Grant,<br /><br /> I had a 1977 190 HP OMC I/O.<br /><br /> I had the same problem and all that it was - was lack of grease to the top pivot points (both sides). If you have it off look at this area and if you see corrosion that is more than likely your problem. I had to have some one lift on the outdrive to get it to go up. I could not get grease in the fittings. So I loosened the brackets that held the pivot points and greased it then tightened it back down. It worked but not quite right. So I took it apart and cleaned the corrosion off - used heat on the grease fitting then greased it (so that I could see the grease coming in) put it back together and it worked fine. I hope this works for you.

 

[hondon]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Problems

There are many common problems that come with this tilt mechanism.The previous post may help you so give it a go. Also check all electrical connection on the up down solenoids that they are shiney and clean like a new penny.How did the oil look that came out of that tilt unit?If it was water contaminated,Then it is likely your clutch pack has been undermined.The pads on this unit get swollen with contamintes and won't work as they should. Also the hammer blow coupler and the tilt shaft are prone to breakage.