OMC Sterndrive Tilt - Interesting Issue

[TNWebwise]

Ok, my first boat "project".

It runs well, really well. In Fwd only. My water trials proved I needed to return to the garage and see what's up. After reading the abundance of truly helpful posts I thought I'd add my own.

I am apparently missing the wormgear. The sterndrive is loose and free swinging (so the pivots are ok).

I have the shaft, half moon gear and oil in the clutch (rare, i know). The boat is a 1980 Glassmaster Regency with an OMC 225 and either a 400 or 800 sterndrive. The trim motor runs great, the tilt motor clicks (will check solinoids and motor) but, the sterndrive moves alot more than you'd like with no worm gear in the housing.

So, here's the kicker... How do I get the wormgear back on the shaft. I see that I can remove the clutch housing, the 3 bolts retaining a metal shim that holds a chrome/silver looking cap, that is over the worm gear shaft. I have a seal kit coming and a new clutch with the wormgear.

Tips, Tricks and Ideas are requested.

Also, IF I need to replace the tilt motor... better to go at it from the engine compartment (as it resides in a most horrible place) or remove the baffle (which is not leaking) and get at it from behind the sterndrive? I have read about both. Naturally, I'd like the easy route... but parts are hard to come by.

- Neil

 

[danond]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Tilt - Interesting Issue

I can feel the "get a manual" answer coming...

 

[TNWebwise]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Tilt - Interesting Issue

One already on the way.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Tilt - Interesting Issue

re: tilt motor.

Yes, you would be much better off getting at it from the inside even if you have to remove any rear seats or panels. That is what I have to do to get to mine. Removing the boot is the very last resort.

 

[TNWebwise]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Tilt - Interesting Issue

Kinda thought it'd be that. Removing seats and panels are fine. But the overhang from the transom, is about 1.5 feet, so... it's really down deep in a tight place. Any removal tips?

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Tilt - Interesting Issue

yeah, have a friend standing by to pull you out by your feet once the motor is free!

Being double or triple jointed whould help too.....

 

[chiefalen]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Tilt - Interesting Issue

You got a monkey handy? Ha it's a beyatch to get that motor out got to come out from inside the boat. Maybe the hammerblow coupler is froze up.

Make sure when you install a new or the old motor to use a new gasket. You read my old post ?

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=259807

good luck let us know how you made out

 

[TNWebwise]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Tilt - Interesting Issue

Ok, I have a new clutch, wormgear, bushing and end cap. Anyone got a monkey for sale? J/K

After you remove the endcap retainer (triangle metal) and 3 bolts, do you get the end cap off, when there is no work gear in the housing?

The manuals have no clue either? Suction cups?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Tilt - Interesting Issue

You are talking about the end cap with the 3 bolts.I remove the 3 bolts and tap the end cap with a hammer. If that doesn't work you should be able to stick a screwdriver in from the clutch opening and tap out the end cap.

I never had a problem with the end cap. You did remove the tilt quadrant? The half moon gear.

I usually stick a piece of wood about 1/2" x 10" long x 7 " wide with one end of the wood i cut the corners off about 2 inchs in the large hole in the intermediate housing and jam the drive up.

You know what there might be a snap ring there after you take off the triangle.

Some models had that. What year is that boat, motor, and drive?

I'm going from memory you could make a truarc pliers, there just snap ring pliers. Grind down the ends of a needle nose pliers till they fit the snap ring holes.

Post how you made out will be a pleasure helping if you need it.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Tilt - Interesting Issue

Do you have a spur gear? Its the gear that rotates the half moon gear?

 

[TNWebwise]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Tilt - Interesting Issue

Part "A" was missing, but I ordered one. I can get parts 21 & 22 off easy. The clutch housing was also full of oil, the clutch pack looks good and all other parts are there. Where my issues is currently is part 17 and the bushing before that. Normally, you could raise and lower the engine and pop the wormgear and bushing right out... but that relies on the wormgear being inside the housing.

make sense?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Tilt - Interesting Issue

Yes makes sense. Why they were missing is a mystery. You can't stick something in the clutch housing and tap out the end cap after you removed the triangle end?

If not and the tilt motor is still removed i would stick a long rod thru the opening the tilt motor shaft goes thru to the end cap and tap it out that way.

Im going outside to my boat hang a second.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Tilt - Interesting Issue

I never encountered this problem before and i thought i saw everything. Why it was missing i have no idea. And the housing was closed up with oil huh? The guy who pulled this on ya has a special place in hell waiting for him believe me.

I just looked at my drive it's maybe 7-8" from the opening where the tilt motor shaft enters the clutch housing to the end cap. I beleive you could if you had to run a thin lag bolt or something all the way thru and tap out that end cap.

But also i just looked with the clutch housing cover off you should be able with a screwdriver at a angle tap it out that way. It's easier.

Try it thru the clutch housing with the cover off, post here so i know how you made out.

 

[TNWebwise]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Tilt - Interesting Issue

ok...

it's out, was easy... shaft, spring parts all ok. Added workgear, replaced clutch, shaft, seals and such.

I tested and at least the sterndrive is not free floating. Tested the solinoids and such, I have power to motor. Hmm, motor bad. Took 12v to motor and it doesn't even hum, sparks from connection. Hmm, motor froze up.

Manual says I can rebuild tilt motor easily. Cool... but strange, there's no mention of the easy to replace motor part.

So, Let's assume for a minute that beyond a well trained, tiny but horrifically strong monkey with tiny tools... is not available, what tools are needed to fit in that engineering nightmare where the prestolite motor is?

I mean, presto it's in!!! or presto we teleported a motor there.... I got into the hole, no easy task btw. Yes ankles and feet only part out of the boat.

Motor covered in oil residue, ok not a rust bucket. Good. On the rear of the motor there is 1 (one) visble bolt with about 1/2 inch clearence to the motor mount. The other bolt (maybe there's only one) is 180 degrees opposite of that top bolt. Well out of human reach.

So, i am betting wth much careful effort i can get the top bolt off with a special tool for that, like a socket wrench bent funny. But, i can't seem to reach to bottom bolt.

Seeing that ebay and other sources sell the crap out of the motors, there has got to be some kind of trick to that removal process.

Looks so easy when it's removed and on a stand in good lighting.

next ideas?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Tilt - Interesting Issue

I lay on my face prone with my left hand reach in only way i can do it. If you figure another way let me know. And no i never could do it with the boot off.

It's a b-yatch.

Want to have fun come over when i do the timing belt on my wifes elantra.

 

[TNWebwise]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Tilt - Interesting Issue

So, extensions, socket wrench or bent into "s" shape socket wrench?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Tilt - Interesting Issue

Socket. Tilt head one might help. After you get it out check the hammerblow coupler. New gasket when you install the new motor. E-bay has them new 80 bucks. Get the right one.

 

[TNWebwise]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Tilt - Interesting Issue

that was fun... there should be a medal for that.

I got a friend (aka: TheMonkey) and we got it out. It was full of crud and we took it to my work bench and then let the dremal to it. 2hr later, it looks brand new inside and out. We dragged a battery out and it works... Saved me $100 right there. He got the motor in, sealed and all. It went down, not up? So, I replaced a solinoid and it works great. I got to greasing any points on the sterndrive and engine. We took sail today and it worked great.

Thanks all.