OMC Stringer replacement with older unit

[rick001]

I have a 1984 5.7L OMC stringer drive. Something in the lower unit came apart inside and put a hole in the housing. I found a new rebuilt OMC stringer outdrive off of a 1978 5.7L. They are both mechanical shift. They look identical, are they compatable? The only difference is my boat has power steering, and the one the older outdrive was on did not. The older model # is 981112, serial # W165706

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC Stringer replacement with older unit

'78 was hydro-mechanical, your '84 was full mechanical. They have different shift cables and converter boxes. The hydro did not use the ESA.
The uppers would have been the same, including the gear ratios. Otherwize they are compatible but you'd be taking a significant leap backward.

 

[rick001]

Re: OMC Stringer replacement with older unit

So, I won't be able to use it?

 

[southkogs]

Re: OMC Stringer replacement with older unit

So, I won't be able to use it?

Not without modifying as Boomer outlined. That means tracking down and buying the hydro-mechanical parts he listed.

Welcome aboard.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC Stringer replacement with older unit

if they both have rectangular anodes above the prop, behind the 6 idle relief holes you can use it

78 was hydro, but many got converted to full mech.

 

[rick001]

Re: OMC Stringer replacement with older unit

Is there any way to tell if it was converted? It appears to be rebuilt. The ball gear is new and the gaskets I can see look new. They do both have the rectangular anodes.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC Stringer replacement with older unit

Here is a pic of a full mechanical drive. Notice red arrow. There is nothing there on a hydro-mechanical drive. If the new drive happens to be full mechanical and came with a good shift cable, guard it with your life. They are very expensive. I assume the cable on your original drive is still good. Save it too.



If the drive turns out to be a hydro-mechanical and it does not come with the proper cable attached, then you are up a creek. You would need to get a hydro mechanical cable (even more expensive) and a hydro-mechanical converter box (pictured below)



If the new drive is a full mechanical and does not come with a shift cable, you will have to separate your old drive and remove the shift cable and housing that is bolted to the top of the lower drive. Then you will have to 'time' the cable on installation.

 

[rick001]

Re: OMC Stringer replacement with older unit

Well, that was good news. Both the drive on the boat and the one I bought have the anodes. And both have shift cables installed. Tomorrow, I'm off work and plan on switching drives. Thanks for the info.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC Stringer replacement with older unit

What did you have to give for the 'rebuilt' outdrive?

 

[rick001]

Re: OMC Stringer replacement with older unit

A guy on craigslist had an entire 21' Bellboy cuddy cabin with trailer, listed as a project for $600.00. It had a seized 5.7L. I looked at it and gave him $400.00 for the outdrive, 3 props(new), the throttle cable and shifter, and a new rubber diaghphram. He said I could have anything else I wanted off of it, but the hull was gutted, and I didn't have room for the trailer.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC Stringer replacement with older unit

Methinks you got a great deal, all for less than the price of one shift cable. In addition, you did not have to deal with the carcass.

 

[rick001]

Re: OMC Stringer replacement with older unit

Yeah, plus I have an extra upper gearcase thats good and shift cables. Hey, thank-you for the information. I will post tomorrow and let you know if all went well with the r & r.

 

[rick001]

Re: OMC Stringer replacement with older unit

Well, it took about 2 hrs, but everything fit perfect, and works perfect. (At least with the muffs). I did go back to the guy I got the outdrive from, and took the new ball gear and driveshaft assembly off the intermediate. So both ball gears are new. I gave him 20 bucks for the driveshaft with the ball gear and 2 anchors

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC Stringer replacement with older unit

Certainly a deal not to be repeated. Keep in mind those units are old and there could be things going on inside them that would like some attention before they strip or grenade. Just because it works well now, without knowing it's history you could be back in the same boat very quickly.

 

[rick001]

Re: OMC Stringer replacement with older unit

Yeah, believe me I'm kinda wondering if I should sell it while it's running good, and buy something thats a little more modern. At least something thats still in production. But, in the meantime I changed all the fluids in the outdrive upper, lower and intermediate. Is there anything else I should do? I can't take it to the lake cause I work the next 10 days. So, not this weekend, but the weekend after that. Gives me time for any maintenence it may need.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC Stringer replacement with older unit

You can still get virtually all the parts for that drive and it has many attributes that the black anchors do not have. It is also not unique in the fact that any older drive may have wear points that need attention along the way.

As far as maintenance, sounds like you have covered most bases. There are several grease fittings for the drive pivot, the swivel and the steering, depending on what type you have.

I hope you greased the snot out of the new intermediate drive shaft splines before you installed it.

 

[rick001]

Re: OMC Stringer replacement with older unit

I did grease the splines before install. The seloc manual did help me on that point. But that was the only help I got from it.

Again, thank-you for the info. You are knowledgeable about these drives, and I appreciate being able to "pick your brain" for info.

 

[rick001]

Re: OMC Stringer replacement with older unit

I took my boat to the lake yesterday and the steering was backwards. I removed the outdrive and turned the steering wheel clockwise, and the gear on the intermediate turns counterclockwise. Can I replace the worm gear and fix the problem? I started a new thread about this, not sure if that was the right thing to do but.....