OMC outdrive rebuild??

[chemistbill]

Is it reasonable to think a mechanically inclined layperson could rebuild a 1977 400 OMC outdrive that's basically froze up?

 

[Tracy Coleman]

Re: OMC outdrive rebuild??

chemistbill<br />The answer to your question is of coarse. My questions for you are, 1-Do you have the OMC service manual for that year?, order through any Bombardier dealer, 2-Do you have the many special tools to do a complete replacement of bearing races and other parts, removers and installers?, 3-Do you have a trunk load of money to put into this project far above any real value?, parts are expensive any some may not available (NLA-no longer available). You could probably find a complete used unit for less. Keep in mind this is a "old technology" unit. Unless this is family keepsake, I would move up to a more reliable unit.<br />Backfire

 

[Alrobot]

Re: OMC outdrive rebuild??

C'bill, I am a fairly handy mechanic. I have a fairly good selection of tools. I would say by all means, tackle that bad boy yourself. The only specialty tools I needed were a set of H.D. Snap Ring Pliers, which my local Snap On guy was more than happy to sell me, (don't tell my wife.) I used the Seloc manual to do mine. It has all kinds of refferences to special shim guages and stuff that even my local know it all OMC guy was flaberghasted by. The only thing that gets me on the first reply was the cost. ALL boat parts are expensive. My 76 OMC Drive needed a $320 Spring, and 5 out of 5 dealers I called had one in stock. Don't let Mercruiser people get you down on OMC, I love my OMC and would definitely buy another one.