omc 400 outdrive

[johnnyph88]

Hi I have a 79 boat with the omc 140 hp motor and the omc 400 outdrive and it is stuck in reverse anyone know what it might be? and are these electric shift?

 

[superbenk]

Re: omc 400 outdrive

Electric shift ended in 1977. Hydro-mechanical was between 1978-1981 & full mechanical was between 1982-1985/1986 when the Stringer stopped production.

That being said, you may have an older drive than 1979, but it should be clear if it's electric because you'd have a wire coming from the out-drive instead of a cable. I suspect you have the hydro-mechanical.

Could be a number of things. Does the remote move the cable in both directions properly? There's a white box on the top & back of the engine that converts the cable movement from the remote to the required movement for the drive shift cable - you should check that to make sure everything is connected properly. Inside the shift converter box check the the 2 cables inside the shift cable are mounted on the pulleys correctly & aren't crossed. Shift cable itself could be bad. Have you checked/changed the lower gear case lube recently?

 

[johnnyph88]

Re: omc 400 outdrive

well i just got the boat and i dont know much about boats the cables in the converter box are stuck like it is stuck somewhere else?? when i got the boat it had no oil in the lower gear case at all i diut some in, but i dont know if the last guy ran it without oil and broke something..

 

[sYnOnYx]

Re: omc 400 outdrive

From the sounds of it the cable in your outdrive that shifts the gears in the lower unit is bad.

Not an easy replacement unless your familiar with working on boats.

 

[johnnyph88]

Re: omc 400 outdrive

thanks for all the help.

if it is the cable in the outdrive is there something easy i can do to check that?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: omc 400 outdrive

if the oil ran out of the lower unit before,
and you refilled, chances are it ran out again and got replaced by water.

those hydromechanical drives are famous for the shift plunger inside the lower unit rusting solid when the lube gets watery.

OMC's fix was to replace it with a mechanical shift lower unit and a new converter box complete with ESA system. big update.

 

[sYnOnYx]

Re: omc 400 outdrive

thanks for all the help.

if it is the cable in the outdrive is there something easy i can do to check that?

You stated you messed with the converter box already. Remove the drivers control box cable first( the cable on the left). There is an arm on the top of the converter box, that should move pretty easily from reverse all the way to forward. If it doesn't then it is either the cable or something within the lower unit of the outdrive.

This is the box on top of your motor that you should be looking for, the shift arm is in the middle.

When you move the arm on the drivers control box the cable pushes that shift arm which moves the cable inside the box and that cable goes down to the shift mechanism in your lower unit.

If your going to work on the boat yourself, get yourself a manual on OMC sterndrives.

 

[johnnyph88]

Re: omc 400 outdrive

well it had no oil when i got it and i have not had it in the water yet. i heat updating it is a good chunk of change like more then my boat is prolly worth is there an easier fix?

 

[sYnOnYx]

Re: omc 400 outdrive

Honestly, Take it to a marine shop familiar with OMC for a diagnosis. They usually charge $80-$100. It could be something simple or something not simple.

Paying that money now to know whats wrong with the boat will determine if it will be worth the money or not.

 

[johnnyph88]

Re: omc 400 outdrive

ya the arm on the box will not move it is stuck..

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: omc 400 outdrive

agree- if you can find one - need to take the drive off and the lower unit apart probably and try to see what's up in there. - whatever you do, don't force the cable - they are very expensive

any fix is probably more than the boat is worth, but the relevance of that equation always escapes me.

I think you'll want a 1978 or 79 or 80 factory manual off ebay - I don't think the Seloc or Clymer books say much of anything about the hydromechanical units

 

[sYnOnYx]

Re: omc 400 outdrive

whatever you do, don't force the cable - they are very expensive

Anywhere from $200-$600 Dollars. Better let a professional take a look. Cause in all reality the cable could be good, but something in the drive is bad.

 

[johnnyph88]

Re: omc 400 outdrive

well anyone want a broken boat?? lol thanks for all the help i may be in over my head.

 

[johnnyph88]

Re: omc 400 outdrive

ok so i took it in and they charged me $100 to tell me what i already now. he said its something in the lower unit so i went for it, i took it all apart and the shift rod is not moving, i think its suppose to move up and down?? anyone know anything i can try??

 

[johnnyph88]

Re: omc 400 outdrive

or someone know how to remove the Shift Plunger Assist Shaft??? I think thats what its called

 

[johnnyph88]

Re: omc 400 outdrive

Ok I got a 83 omc outdrive will that bolt up to
My 79 omc 140 motor?

 

[superbenk]

Re: omc 400 outdrive

Ok I got a 83 omc outdrive will that bolt up to
My 79 omc 140 motor?

The 83 will be a full mechanical while the 79 is a hydro-mechanical drive. The full mech had a mechanism for retarding the RPMs during shifting that the hydro-mech did not have. The full mech drive is preferred, but I'm not sure what all parts are required to get the electronic shift assist (ESA) working on your older motor.

You need the ESA since the full-mech doesnt have the hydraulic damping on the shift mechanism like the hydro-mech obviously has. Shifting a full mech at full RPM will likely break things.

 

[johnnyph88]

Re: omc 400 outdrive

The 83 will be a full mechanical while the 79 is a hydro-mechanical drive. The full mech had a mechanism for retarding the RPMs during shifting that the hydro-mech did not have. The full mech drive is preferred, but I'm not sure what all parts are required to get the electronic shift assist (ESA) working on your older motor.

You need the ESA since the full-mech doesnt have the hydraulic damping on the shift mechanism like the hydro-mech obviously has. Shifting a full mech at full RPM will likely break things.

Ya I have the hole boat and all the parts that the new outdrive came from so I am hoping i have all the parts I need.

 

[johnnyph88]

Re: omc 400 outdrive

So could I just use the lower unit off the 83 if I have the 83 shift box?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: omc 400 outdrive

So could I just use the lower unit off the 83 if I have the 83 shift box?

and add an ESA system - switches ESA electronic module and wire it up to the ignition

is the 83 outdrive the same gear ratio? might want to just use the lower and keep the upper you have- that way you avoid possible backwards steering issue too