Uppercase on 235 stringer locked up..

[Markao]

So I have a 1975 starcraft chieftain electric shift.. the boat had not been started in 15 years so I pulled all the plugs on the 351 Windsor and filled the holes with mystery oil.. after letting it sit for 4 days I went out and tried to turn over by hand. The engine was locked up.. I pulled the stern drive off if that's what it's called?? Then tried to turn the engine again and it was freed up. Something in the uppercase where the impeller is is locked up. My question is if I start pulling Ball gears off I will need to reshim them and I'm not sure where to go to find these types of parts??? Does anyone have a good hookup that would have parts for these older omcs?

 

[racerone]

Yes there is lots of shimming involved with these gear boxes.-----Google and E-bay may help you find parts.----May help find a shop still interested in working on them or the parts.

 

[Markao]

Yes there is lots of shimming involved with these gear boxes.-----Google and E-bay may help you find parts.----May help find a shop still interested in working on them or the parts.

What happens if you're off just a little bit with the shims? Is everything just going to explode in there, or will it just wear the Ball gears out faster?

 

[Scott Danforth]

What happens if you're off just a little bit with the shims? Is everything just going to explode in there, or will it just wear the Ball gears out faster?

if the shims are too loose, the bearings spin and the gear box eats itself. if the shims are too tight, the bearings seize and the gearbox eats itself.

the folks at TC Marine (www.sterndrive.info) still sell parts. they may have a rebuild service.

 

[racerone]

Ball gear wear quickly if the input shaft on upper box is loose.

 

[kenny nunez]

Pull the shift cable out through the upper gear case then remove the bolts that mount the top cover now you will be able to pull the upper from the lower section. Have you checked the oil in the lower gear case to see if it has water in it? Hopefully the oil is clean.
Sometimes just the bearings are rusted and the gears may be able to save.
I used to buy the 2 internal components from OMC that was pre shimmed and ready to install. If you can locate # 0980755 ball gear shaft assembly &
0981094 pinion housing assembly you will be able to rebuild the upper yourself. Otherwise try to find someone like SD suggested.

 

[Markao]

Pull the shift cable out through the upper gear case then remove the bolts that mount the top cover now you will be able to pull the upper from the lower section. Have you checked the oil in the lower gear case to see if it has water in it? Hopefully the oil is clean.
Sometimes just the bearings are rusted and the gears may be able to save.
I used to buy the 2 internal components from OMC that was pre shimmed and ready to install. If you can locate # 0980755 ball gear shaft assembly &
0981094 pinion housing assembly you will be able to rebuild the upper yourself. Otherwise try to find someone like SD suggested.

I pulled the plugs on the bottom unit and the oil looked clean and water free.. the shafts on the top that I can see all the splines look brand new I think this guy may have had it rebuilt before my dad bought it.. I am also thinking that it's a bearing.... I am debating on building up the back end and putting an offshore bracket on and going outboard

 

[Markao]

Pull the shift cable out through the upper gear case then remove the bolts that mount the top cover now you will be able to pull the upper from the lower section. Have you checked the oil in the lower gear case to see if it has water in it? Hopefully the oil is clean.
Sometimes just the bearings are rusted and the gears may be able to save.
I used to buy the 2 internal components from OMC that was pre shimmed and ready to install. If you can locate # 0980755 ball gear shaft assembly &
0981094 pinion housing assembly you will be able to rebuild the upper yourself. Otherwise try to find someone like SD suggested.

Where would I look for those part numbers?

 

[racerone]

====evinrudeparts.ca-----Has parts listing for OMC sterndrive.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I pulled the plugs on the bottom unit and the oil looked clean and water free.. the shafts on the top that I can see all the splines look brand new I think this guy may have had it rebuilt before my dad bought it.. I am also thinking that it's a bearing.... I am debating on building up the back end and putting an offshore bracket on and going outboard

the outdrive is 3 pcs. the two outer ones have a water pump separating them. check the upper gear box for water.

also, if it sat this long, get a new water pump assembly.