OMC Stringer 800 questions

[richmatt]

I have just acquired a 84 Seasprite with a 3.8V6 (170hp?)and OMC stringer 800 outdrive and as I'm relatively new to boats (pretty handy with cars though) I have a couple of questions about whats what.<br /><br />1. On the side of the engine where I would expect to see engine mounts there are a couple of hydraulic rams with what appear to be flexible brake lines attached, is this some sort of fancy vibration isolation device, an engine/drive alignment device or does it enable the trim to be adjusted? If its a trim thing then I'd expect a switch on the dash to adjust it while on the fly, there is a small switch on the throttle handle but I have assumed thats used to raise and lower the leg - am I correct?.<br /><br />2. I want to test run the motor and have been told that I really need to have water in the leg to ensure that I don't destroy the impeller. (but from reading other posts it might be a good idea to replace it anyway) Should I just get a set of those headphone like things and hook up the garden hose or will a large tub of water be sufficient - if I use the tub how high above the intake does the water need to be to get the impeller to pick up?<br /><br />3. I can see that the shift cable is either broken or just about to break and I can't seem to find a replacement Does anyone know of a good sorce of OMC parts (GLM is out of stock and is unsure about when they will get new stock). Has anybody experimented with alternative "DIY" cables as a short term fix?<br /><br />4. Any ideas on how to get rid of 10-15 gallons of 3 year old, water-contaminated fuel? Apparently the prevoius owner lost the gas cap at some point and so it may have a rain water & fuel mix in the gas tank. <br /> <br />Thanks.

 

[ndemge]

Re: OMC Stringer 800 questions

1: This is your trim. Raises the entire motor/outdrive up/down. <br />You should have a "tilt" switch on your helm, this is for raising and lowering the outdrive. NEVER do that when it is running or kiss your gears goodbye<br /><br />2:<br />Go to walmart and buy a pair of muffs. called "flushing something"... they are about $5.. hook a hose to it, and put around the intake holes on the lower unit. then you can run it in your driveway.

 

[ndemge]

Re: OMC Stringer 800 questions

Also.... Welcome to the Board <br /><br />...for the fuel.. maybe unhook the supply line to the fuel pump on the motor, and pump it into some cans to take to recycle center. If you don't know of a place that will take it, look in the yellow pages, most places will take it for free because they make a few bucks on the recycle end of it. some cities take it for free.

 

[richmatt]

Re: OMC Stringer 800 questions

Thanks for the replies. I worked out that the piston things are infact the trim system I had missed a small switch behind the throttle marked "trim" -duh! <br />Unfortunately the pump motor apprear to be locked up so I'll have to add it to my every growing to-do list. <br />The problem with the gas is less than I had believed as having applied power to the electrics, the fuel now guage reads almost empty rather that the 1/4 full resting position. so I may have only 3-5 gals to deal with. <br /><br />I'm along way from running the motor (its now in about 200 pieces) so dont need to worry about cooling yet and have now pulled the leg to ensure that the gears/pump etc dont end up any worse than they may already be.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: OMC Stringer 800 questions

If you are pulling everything, might as well pull the gas tank and either replace or have it boiled out/steam cleaned---it will save you many hours of headaches later cause it is probably full of varnish, etc. I'd replace the anti-siphon valve, vent, and all the fuel lines too.<br /><br />Also, you might want to pick up a shop manual on ebay. It will save you time identifying parts and will get you more specific answers here on the board.<br /><br />If you have that large rubber boot around the drive, make sure the boat transom is not rotten around the area where the boot attaches. Major work involved in replacing a transom.

 

[proline2]

Re: OMC Stringer 800 questions

richmatt, I don't know if yours is the same as mine, but I have a 1984 3.8 v-6 with OMC stringer system, and mine is rated at 185 hp with 4bbl Rochester carb. Nice engine.