OMC 800 stringer swap ???s

[lepcur]

Hey all, My name is Mike and I'm new here and want to say hi first of all.
So, I bought a boat with a bad outdrive and it's a 1984 5.7 with the 800 stringer on it, my question is,, I found a complete unit that was bolted up to a v-6 that is the same year as mine, will it work, what about the different gear ratio, or does that really matter??? Thanks alot guys, Mike

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC 800 stringer swap ???s

upper gearcase ratio is different enough that it matters
1984 800 series lower units are all identical if you just need the lower you're ok, but the upper is no good to you

 

[lepcur]

Re: OMC 800 stringer swap ???s

Ok, now for another ?, I found a local complete 5.7 set-up the same year as mine but it's out of the boat and the engine and outdrive are seperated, can I turn the ball gear by hand to make sure it turns freely or is there a better way to check it out? Thanks alot, Mike

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC 800 stringer swap ???s

shifting into gear can be done by turning the ballgear clockwise facing it (you'll feel the friction of the water pump impeller- some resistance) and pulling one end of the cable or the other to shift.... midway should be neutral,
but that isn't a test of the clutch dogs or water pump splines' ability to transmit 250+HP to the prop - that's not going to be measured on the bench.
you either disassemble everything, and evaluate the parts (seller not going to go along with that), or you drain fluids and go by that -but if the oil is new, it will tell you nothing really - hopefully the oil is old and then you want dark (meaning legitimately used oil) but not silver, and a few drops of water typical. a teaspoon of water means a reseal at least needed
A little bit of "fur" on the magnetic plug ok....filings all over it not good

it's a gamble when stuff is off the boat - you have to ask the questions and evaluate the answers - your deal
I bought an 800 series drive for $200 last summer. wasn't much of a gamble at that and it turned out to be in great shape.

one can roll the propshaft in neutral as well, to check it isn't bent.

 

[lepcur]

Re: OMC 800 stringer swap ???s

Thanks alot Howard for the input and info. I guess saturday I'll drive the 4 hrs. and check it out and hopefully my luck will be as good as yours on getting a good one. I'll let ya know. Mike

 

[lepcur]

Re: OMC 800 stringer swap ???s

Well, I picked up the motor and out drive, along with the wiring harness and all the old gauges. Drained the fluids in the outdrive and it was old oil and looked real good with just a little shine in there but hardly anything on the magnets. I installed it today and it seems to work well but I don't have reverse and I'm thinking I need to adjust the shift cable, I'll mess with it tomarrow and see what I can do with it. Mike

 

[sw33ttooth]

Re: OMC 800 stringer swap ???s

i hate buying stuff when you cant run it, sometimes your lucky some times your not.

i bought 50 hp ob 2 years ago "garenteed to run" well it ran like a piece of **** the 3 cyl. had 0 lbs presure

last year my dad bought a motor for his van and shockingly it has more balls then the last motor ever had

 

[lepcur]

Re: OMC 800 stringer swap ???s

I got it all adjusted and every thing seems fine, I guess I got lucky as I swapped the guy a 30-06 rifle I don't use for the motor, sterndrive and all the wiring and gauges. I guess next project will be to see how the 5.7 runs, I don't need it but it has everything intact and may come in handy one day. Have a good 1 all, Mike

 

[southkogs]

Re: OMC 800 stringer swap ???s

Man, it's nice when stuff works out that way! Congratulations and have a good time.