74 OMC Stringer Tilt Problems - I'm at a loss, need help

[psikys]

Issue:
Tilt not working, spins freely when no weight on gears, motor spins fine when clutch pack removed, old clutch back was put back together by an idiot using parts that he shouldn't have. Bought a used working clutch pack, and boom now it works when there's some pressure on it, but after a few millimeters of movement, BOOM, the cover on the back of the worm gear shaft comes firing off because the worm gear is putting too much pressure.

I think the new clutch pack may be seized. I've seen people mention soaking the clutch pack but list no instructions. I'm using 75w110 Severe Gear oil from AMSOIL. Should I clean with brake cleaner and then soak for a few hours? Or will that accomplish anything? I feel like the whole thing is binding up.

Anybody else ran into this problem ever? The motor is running great. The boat floats great, but I just have no tilt.

Also, previous idiot fucked up the worm shaft cover by keeping it in place with a self tapping screw, so now I have to figure out how to keep it all sealed up with JB Weld or some other crap that will look like trash. Any ideas on that are welcome as well.

 

[kenny nunez]

OMC made a kit that was a bracket that had to be mounted on the intermediate housing which held the plug in place. Maybe Crowley Marine has one NOS. There is or was a groove in the rear that held a snap ring, yours is probably gone. To properly service the clutch pack you need a press, a good pair of angled snap ring pliers and a piece of 1” pipe about 2” long with 90* slot cut out about 1” long so that when the clutch pack belvil spring washer is compressed the ring can be removed. Watch how the pack is assembled as you take it apart, clean each plate and soak in motor oil, re assemble. The ring has a flat side that must be installed facing up.

 

[psikys]

Hmm...they're $80 on eBay, and I don't see one on Crowley. Wonder how hard it would be to fab one out of galvanized angle iron

 

[southkogs]

I had a problem with a clutch pack on an spare intermediate I had. I was nervous about taking it apart, but when I unscrewed the cover a little, it freed up. I'm not sure what kind of rings and shims are in those assemblies, but perhaps it's the cover that's causing the jam up.

 

[kenny nunez]

They can be made from scratch as I have seen a few that worked very good. It just depends on the owner’s metal working skill.
The shims that are in the clutch pack are held in place with the snap ring. There was a tool that I would fit over the gear and then a 3/4” Drive hinged handle aka “breaker bar”at a right angle and lifting, not pushing down, was used to break the plates loose and then a torque wrench to check the “break away” tension.

 

[psikys]

So I've read a few places to just soak the whole clutch assembly in gear oil for 3-4 days then install. I ordered the OMC bracket, so I'll be installing that as soon as it arrives. I've also heard that titening down the cover too far will result in binding things up. Is that correct? And if so, how loose should it be? I have 3M marine sealant that I can coat the entire thing in to attempt to keep water out so I'm not stressing that, I just need this damned tilt to work so I can get it on the water!

I have a hard deadline of July 28th for this lady to be ready. We've got a lake trip planned and I want to make sure we don't rent a boat again this year.

 

[southkogs]

I've also heard that titening down the cover too far will result in binding things up. Is that correct? And if so, how loose should it be?

5 to 7 foot/pounds on each of the four bolts.

 

[kenny nunez]

If you have to loosen the cover to get the tilt to work then you have a shim in the wrong place. There is a thrust washer that is chamfered on the inside that may be installed backwards.

 

[psikys]

Can anyone chime in on the lubricants? I think OMC calls for their "Type C Lubricant" for the clutch pack, but will 75w110 work?

 

[southkogs]

Type C is for the lower unit on the Electric Shift. The manual calls for SAE 30 in the clutch pack.

 

[psikys]

Does anyone have a link or upload for the shop manual for the motor/stern? All the links I find here are dead. That will help me stop asking a bunch of stupid ass questions.

 

[southkogs]

Ken Cook Manuals - you should be able to purchase the manual there.