Can't get my 78 Starcraft OMC to go into gear after I...

I've been fighting demons on my new to me 1978 Starcraft OMC w/ 351w. BTW I'm new to boats but not to wrenching. I determined the points on my boat were shot so I replaced them with a pertronix ignition. Boat started IN gear. I then read about the "shift interrupter" module that had to be spliced into the coil wiring. I opted to replace the pertronix with a new set of points first so I had a baseline for this engine. I put in new points and the engine fired up right away however now it won't go into F or R. I'm not getting any engagement like I did before. The throttle moves forward and backwards effortlessly and when pushed forward the engine does rev however there is no engagement. I have the SELOC manual which I'm not finding very helpful. Can someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks!

Re: Can't get my 78 Starcraft OMC to go into gear after I...

I just got a 1976 Viking v190 SI with the OMC 302 setup. The PO has it rigged somehow so that a toggle switch works the FWD, NTRL, and REV. The throttle lever now only works the gas feed to the carb. Today I put the boat in the water and it stopped working. It just stopped engaging. Not sure if the switch went out or something else. I hope someone can answer your question so that we may both be able to fix our boats.

Re: Can't get my 78 Starcraft OMC to go into gear after I...

So I went out to see if I could get the boat to go into gear today. Started it up (in neutral) and as I was walking back to the engine the boat somehow slipped into gear and then immediately stalled (almost tossed me out of the back in to the lake, I told you I was dealing with demons!). Upon close inspection I found that this white plastic part:



was broken into several pieces and distinegrated when I tried to remove it. Is this my problem? Obviously I'll replace this part but what exactly is its function? I know it's part of the shift interrupter switch. The boat is an OMC.

Re: Can't get my 78 Starcraft OMC to go into gear after I...

Welcome aboard to both of y'all:

RabRawlins said:

...Is this my problem? Obviously I'll replace this part but what exactly is its function? I know it's part of the shift interrupter switch. The boat is an OMC.

Click to expand...

I hadn't posted anything on your question Rab, 'cause I don't quite understand the shift on the hydro-mechanical OMCs. The manual is gonna' be your best friend in figuring it out, but there are a couple of guys on the boards who should be able to answer your question pretty easily.

eddieburnsii said:

I just got a 1976 Viking v190 SI with the OMC 302 setup ... I hope someone can answer your question so that we may both be able to fix our boats.

Click to expand...

Eddie, you've got a different shift system on yours. Your rig is pure electric shift (like mine). The toggle switch is to charge the coil in the lower unit to engage the gears (not the original setup, but it might work). You've got a little hunting to do to figure out what's wrong.

I'd suggest posting a new thread about yours and in that thread tell us 1.) if you've ever had the engine and drive running (in the driveway or on the water), if 2.) you know you have type C lube in the lower unit and 3.) if you know if you're getting 12v to the shift wire when you have the switch set to F or R.

Rab - I wish I could be of more help, but I just don't know your drive buddy.

Re: Can't get my 78 Starcraft OMC to go into gear after I...

I apologize for highjacking the OP's thread. I thought maybe we were having some of the same issues. I will make a new thread after I get a little more info and possibly some pics.