Strange reverse problem on OMC 800

[Boomyal]

Re: Strange reverse problem on OMC 800

reference, is his name Michael Sullivan? I've purchased a couple of used parts from him. He seems to know his business. He also likes the OMC 800's. It's his outdrive of choice.<br /><br />You better hurry up though, he said he is contemplating a move back to Oregon.<br /><br />Be sure to post the results.

 

[WSUDERMAN]

Re: Strange reverse problem on OMC 800

WARNING! Be very careful in your dealings with Mike Sullivan in Page AZ. Personal experience. Sent drive and 2500$ in September of 2003. did not get drive back until May 04. This was after at least 25 calls, each promising "delivery on Thursday or Friday". I had to actually go there and wait for 3 days to get a drive. The drive i ended up with was an 85' full mech so now i need a ESA and cable shift converter for it. (still need it...)<br />But the drive does work, don't know how long though...

 

[reference123]

Re: Strange reverse problem on OMC 800

Thanks for the heads up. Hopefully my experience wont be the same.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Strange reverse problem on OMC 800

Originally posted by reference:<br /> Thanks for the heads up. Hopefully my experience wont be the same.

Reference, if you want to take your drive off and send it, instead of drive it, we have a bonifide, certified, honest, and totally proficient OMC mechanic/shop, here on the Columbia River. It's Ryan's Marine. He get's in units from all over the country. I will personally vouch for him. If you are interested, respond, and I'll get his number for you. He'd also know the best way to ship it. It is not difficult to remove.

 

[reference123]

Re: Strange reverse problem on OMC 800

Boomyal,<br /><br />Thanks for the offer. I think I am going to try Mike first. I discovered we know a number of people in common so hopefully it will be a good experience. Part of our problem may be our shift cable so fixing the drive alone may not resolve our issues.<br /><br />BTW, someone told me OMC recalled these hydroelectic drives to replace with the full mechanical. Can anyone verify that and if so, would we be better off replacing the drive.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Strange reverse problem on OMC 800

Originally posted by reference:<br /> BTW, someone told me OMC recalled these hydroelectic drives to replace with the full mechanical. Can anyone verify that and if so, would we be better off replacing the drive.

First off, reference, the early ('78 to '81?) 800 stringer is a hydraulic actuated mechanical shift not hydroelectric. They did not recall them, they simply changed to the mechanical only shift sometime in the early '80's. The lower housing is slightly different. There is no reason to go to the expense of swapping lower units unless yours happens to be trashed.<br /><br />Ask Mike if he is aware of the modification for yours, that removes a very fine filter screen (that plugs up), for the hydraulic shift AND the forward assist spring that was intended to be a fail-safe stuck in forward, limp home feature. It can cause problems and should be eliminated.<br /><br />Tell him you talked to the Water Guy in Vancouver WA.

 

[reference123]

Re: Strange reverse problem on OMC 800

Boomyal,<br /><br />Thanks, I will say hello to him and ask him about that mod. I am taking the boat out there tommorrow. 6 hours each way so I hope it is worth it.<br /><br />Thanks again for the help and I will let you know the final outcome.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Strange reverse problem on OMC 800

btb, reference, I converted my 1975 electric shift OMC 302 to the hydaulic/mechanical unit in 1980. I was having constant problems with the electric one. I've put some pretty good freshwater hours on that unit with no problems. I'm currently in the process of redoing the floor in my boat and upgrading the motor to a stroked 331 cid. In the process, I thought that I'd have my drive looked at. It was in pretty good shape but I had the mods done, a couple of wearing shafts replaced (ouch) and the impeller and housing. Total bill was $1200.00 parts and labor. Other than one other impeller replacement, that's the total of work I've needed. Works out to about $75.00 a year. Not too big a black hole.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Strange reverse problem on OMC 800

^bump^ eh, reference?

 

[reference123]

Re: Strange reverse problem on OMC 800

Dropped the boat off on Thursday. Mike promised to look at it within a week. Once I know more I will post the info.<br /><br />Thanks again.

 

[reference123]

Re: Strange reverse problem on OMC 800

Ok, heard back from Mike. It looks like the lower is pretty much shot. I would need all the mod updates as the prior owner never did any. To rebuild the lower would run about $1200. He is recommending replacing it with a mechanical rebuilt for $1500 and not having to worry about the issues related to the particular model of lower I currently have. The oil pump is blown, the shift rod is hammered, etc. The upper just needs a reseal. <br /><br />Looks like it is not going to be cheap but he seems competitive based on what I have been quoted elsewhere. Will post again when it is complete.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Strange reverse problem on OMC 800

That's about right price wize from what I've seen. And definetly reseal the upper... those gears a really expensive if you trash them.

 

[IMP]

Re: Strange reverse problem on OMC 800

Just had mine (upper) rebuilt. Shipped it to TC Marine in Ontario. They did a great job. It took about two weeks with shipping being the majority of the time. They went beyond what was listed as included in a rebuild. They replaced the impellar housing, impeller, and actually rebuilt the ujoints as I left the shaft on the upper when I shipped it. I will probably send lower up there next year for bearings~ seals as preventative. I would highly recomend them if shipping.

 

[WSUDERMAN]

Re: Strange reverse problem on OMC 800

Ref. If you go with the mech lower to replace your hydro mech you will need to install the shift interrupt switch and converter housing. Otherwise you will have difficulty shifting. The hydro mech systems did not require this because the hydro part of the system generated enough force to shift gears. The mech systems rely on cable force alone. I had/have this problem with mine. I have the idle down @ about 550 rpm and that helps but it still can be tough to shift into reverse. The forward gear has been worn enough that it works ok now. This was not the way i wanted to go, but as you know, mike is not the fastest guy around.

 

[reference123]

Re: Strange reverse problem on OMC 800

78 thanks for the info. As part of the job he is installing something on the engine that drops the idle when you shift as well as new cables, etc. He was really fair to me regarding labor. I think the total including the new lower with all additional hardware to make it function correctly, a reseal and bearing replacement on the upper, a new shift and throtle cable to the control, and a new stringer boot (the current one has a huge hole in the bottom we have been repairing every couple of months) will be in the range of 2300.<br /><br />I agree that if you need it done fast he is not the optimal guy for that but with the season being over anyway my boat might as well sit in his workshop versus my driveway.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Strange reverse problem on OMC 800

Did you inquire if you have the later, larger splined drive shaft and coupler? I'm not sure when they started using them. My '75 (originally electric shift) had the smaller splines and when I took it apart this summer, there wasn't much left of the splines in either piece.<br /><br />He probably would have said something if you had the small splines.

 

[reference123]

Re: Strange reverse problem on OMC 800

Boom<br /><br />I did not ask. The new lower going in will work with the existing upper and will use the same prop so I am guessing it is similar to the old lower.<br /><br />I think the only difference is it will be mechanical versus the hydromechanical and will require a part on the engine used to reduce idle when shifting. Hopefully it all works right. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[reference123]

Re: Strange reverse problem on OMC 800

Wow, 10 months later I finally have my boat back. Needless to say this was not a good experience. After being promised the repairs were done on numerous occassions I finally had to threaten legal action (not a big deal as I am an attorney). <br /><br />Now I just hope I received what i bargained for. The upper was supposedly rebuilt and the lower is one that was not remanufactured but pulled from another boat and rebuilt. The claim is it is better as it had american made gears that were in great shape versus the chinese made ones.<br /><br />There is also now an electric unit on the engine which kills it momentarily when shifting in and out of gear. Hopefully this is a good thing. The only thing that concerns me is that he said if this is not functioning it wont let me shift out or gear into neutral. That doesnt seem like a good thing. Anyone have experience with this type of unit and is it really an improvement over the older unit I had?<br /><br />Now I just need to get my edelbrock carb installed and tuned and I should be ready to give it a test.

 

[WSUDERMAN]

Re: Strange reverse problem on OMC 800

Ref, <br />Glad you finally got your boat back...<br />I am currently using a mech shift with out the electronic unit (Electronic Shift Assist or ESA). It will go in and out of gear but it was difficult to start with. If you turn off the engine it will go in and out just fine. I have been running this setup for about 2 seasons now and no problems yet.