Stringer fun, Or what Have I Done?

[Bender50]

Hello OMC Fans

I have a 1976 18' Invader with an OMC 235hp coupled to a stringer stern drive. My friends call it a museum piece it was so very clean and well cared for when I purchased it. The first time we took it out we had no issues, ran great 45+mph. The second time out however we had been driving around at about 25-35 mph and slowed to no wake zone idle for a few moments, then we hit a sand bar! Albeit a very slow hit the prop struggled a few times before I could get it out of gear. It never stopped just struggled through the loose sand. I took it out of gear and raised the drive for a moment to clear the bar. Lowered the drive and put it back in gear and thought nothing of it. We cruised around the marina at idle for a while then returned to the lake. I throttled up like normal not pushing it too hard, and the boat began to plane out of the hole when something gave!
It popped out of gear and would not shift again, forward or reverse. While the engine runs there is a dull whine, so I shut it down. I tried any number of simple things like raise and lower drive restart etc. no movement no shift and I believe it began to over heat a little, so I shut it down and caught a tow.

So...., What Have I done?:facepalm:

I would appreciate any and all ideas from those with experience, this is my first OMC and I am very handy.

Thanks... Bender

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: Stringer fun, Or what Have I Done?

Sounds like you might have stripped/broken the water pump shaft. You need to open the drive to access the water pump/impeller and check the shafts.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Stringer fun, Or what Have I Done?

the shaft is about $150 and order a complete water pump kit. and some good hydrotack grease like Castrol Pyroplex Blue or Mercruiser spline grease.
I doubt the sand bar had much to do with it.
If the impeller isn't replaced every few years and the spline greased, the shaft strips.

excellent first post btw, mentioning the overheating

 

[Bender50]

Re: Stringer fun, Or what Have I Done?

Thanks Guys,

:redface:Is the Water pump shaft made of nylon or something?
Seems like it shouldn't be so fragile!

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: Stringer fun, Or what Have I Done?

The shaft is steel, but it is a 2 piece design and if not properly maintained and greased the male/female splines can strip. There is a grease fitting about 1/2 way up the front of the leg under a plastic cap that should be greased regularly also. A lack of grease here can allow water to enter and cause problems.

Welcome to iboats btw!