1970 OMC wont shift into gear

[Bryantodd]

I have a 1970 Sea Ray with a 120 hp OMC I/O.I bought it about 2 years ago from the origional owner, he replaced just the motor in 1995 but left the outdrives. I was out on it just putting away from the dock and went to give it a little gas just to get going. All of a sudden te stoped moving. The motor was running fine, It almost sounded like I spun the prop,but that was the first thing I checked. I have a feeling like it is in the lower unit with the electric shifting. The origional manual that I got with the boat breafly tells you about checking the shifting coils (ohming) I got 6.2 ohms and that was within the normal range. Now i am stuck. any help will be great.

 

[Alrobot]

Re: 1970 OMC wont shift into gear

Bryan:<br />Did you check both coils. 6.2 Ohms sounds about right. To check the spring that engages the drive, take the boat out of the water. Turn ignition on, DO NOT START BOAT!!! Move throttle forward, go try to turn prop with hand. MAKE SURE BOAT IS NOT RUNNING!!! It should turn one way, but not the other way. try this for both forward and reverse...there is a good chance your forward spring is broken. This is a weekend project to fix but definitely doable if you can handle normal hand tools. Also order the Manual from SELOC.<br /><br />Also make sure you have 12 Volts at the connection when the throttle is forward or reverse. Definitely do this before your tear apart the drive...<br /><br />Al...

 

[Bryantodd]

Re: 1970 OMC wont shift into gear

OK, I checked the springs like you said, and the prop would only rotate one way in forward and the other way in reverse.

 

[Alrobot]

Re: 1970 OMC wont shift into gear

Do you have more than 1 prop? If the prop only spins one way with it on it sounds like a spun hub.

 

[Bryantodd]

Re: 1970 OMC wont shift into gear

I removed the prop and that is not the problem. It has to be the drive gear in the lower unit. Have you ever had to deal with these? Now I hope that I will be able to get the parts that I need, and not have to take out a second mortagage on my home.

 

[Alrobot]

Re: 1970 OMC wont shift into gear

I completely rebuilt my outdrive right after I got it. I took it to the lake, it would go in reverse fine, but not forward. Should have seen the look on my face. Anyhow, I just took it apart like anything else I have done for the first time. Get a large work area cleared on the ground, and start at the shaft end and remove all your parts and check them. Where are you located, I am in So-Cal. Do you have reverse in the water? I would imagine if it was the main drive gear, you are in for a world of hurt trying to find it. I have a boat guy her in So-Cal that I could almost Guarantee he would have your part.

 

[Bryantodd]

Re: 1970 OMC wont shift into gear

Well all is not as it seems, I took the lower end of my outdrive off because I just knew that was my problem. Juust as a second check on everything iI started the motor to make sure that everything was good up to that point. well the drive coming out of the motor was spinning but nothing past that. so I proceded to take the top of the outdrive off and look into that. I started from the bottom,the shaft that the impeller is slid onto,well the spline shank is worn out. I guess 32 years can do this? So now to find the part. I am on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.

 

[Alrobot]

Re: 1970 OMC wont shift into gear

Bryan:<br />Glad you found your problem. Sounds like a doozy of a part to try and find. My contact out here is Rode's Way Boats,(626) 963-8568. This guy never ceases to amaze me when I need something. Just in case you can't find it in MD.<br /><br />Al...