OMC Stringer 800 reseal

[mtbr00x]

2 years ago I had my outdrive rebuilt. last season I was on the water every weekend. On our last outing I noticed some oil coming from the small holes near the water intake. I had it pressure tested and it indeed has a broke seal. I am having a hell of a time finding anyone who can or is willing work on this boat. I am in Dallas Texas. I am somewhat mechanically inclined and could possibly do the work myself but I understand this requires some special tools. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I have wondered if it would even be possible to change out the outdrives.
This is a 1985 Sea-Ray with a 5.7 v8 and a stringer 800.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[flockshot]

Re: OMC Stringer 800 reseal

I had the exact same problem this spring and just finished the job on my 83, 400 stringer. It was not a bad job.
I bought a waterpump replacement kit and a upper unit seal kit. My leak was in the lower part of the unit and I did not take apart the upper 'ball gear' area (if it ain't broke don't fix it).
I did buy the Seloc, Climers and OMC repair manuals along with a 1983 OMC parts catalog for part identification. None of the manuals answered ALL my questions, but if I could only have one it would be the OMC.
Like many other things, the next time I will be able to do the same job in a afternoon, but the first time took me a couple days.
To replace seals I didn't need to take apart anything that required special tools. I did make a 'seal installing tool' out of a piece of 4x4 on my lathe but I think you could set those seals that are just above the water pump with a piece of PVC or a huge socket.
Use the sealers (or equivilant) in the places the books say. MY local Johnson/Efienrude dealer had all the stuff and they haven't even changed the names of the sealers and lubes.
I am a 'shadetree' mechanic at best and I am happy that I did it myself.