175 OMC won't turn over.

[splitshift]

Hi all, I am a first time boat owner with a quick question. I recently traded a case of beer for a boat with a 175 OMC stringer. Unfortunately I am unable to find any markings on the out drive itself but the boat is registered as a 1977 campion. The first problem I am having is the engine won't turn over when I try to crank it over I can see the alternator and belt try to turn but I fear the engine is seized. I believe that it is a ford 302 from what I have read online. My question is if the engine is seized is it possible to just replace it with another ford 302 or were these a special cast block. The gauge only indicates a little over 400 hours on the clock and the heads look brand new.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 175 OMC won't turn over.

I recently traded a case of beer for a boat with a 175 OMC stringer.

What kind of beer?

Before you blame the engine, take off the stern drive and try to turn the engine. If the drive is seized. it will look like the same problem. If that is the case, the guy with the beer got the better deal.

 

[splitshift]

Re: 175 OMC won't turn over.

Patts blue ribbon.

Thanks for the check I will try to figure out how to remove the drive. The prop spins but I am guessing it would if not in gear. I am a heavy duty mechanic but boats are a new thing for me. In all honesty the hull is in great shape and the trailer is very lean so I think even if I have to dump a couple of grand into it I am still up.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: 175 OMC won't turn over.

If it turns out to be the motor that is seized, for the most part a 302 is a 302. The few differences are as follows. Should have stainless steel head gaskests, brass freeze pugs and a marine suitable cam. Truck cams (low rpm torque) will usually work ok. Your current motor is probably about 8.0:1 compression but you can run up to 9.0:1.

Of course all the peripherals are marine grade, such as the starter, the alternator, the carburetor, and the distributor.

I converted my OMC 190 HP 302 2bbl to a 5.0 roller cam with a 4 bbl marine Holley, It is a total screamer. I probably pushed the limit on the reground camshaft as it was ground to the same specs as a pre-smog 351W flat tappet cam.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 175 OMC won't turn over.

Take a picture of the drive and post it. At least it will let us know what you are working on for sure.

 

[splitshift]

Re: 175 OMC won't turn over.

Sorry I am not much of a photographer. I hope these will help.

I would like to remove both the engine and the outdrive so I can go over them thouroughly over the winter. I would love to be able to take my kids out next summer. Is there a proper stand for these things to work on them while off the boat?

 

[southkogs]

Re: 175 OMC won't turn over.

Electricshift ... about 15 minutes to get it off the boat.

Disconnect the shift wires inside the engine compartment. Typically two knife connectors on the port (left facing front of the boat) side of the engine, toward the back just in front of the intermediate drive. Those wires will feed through a "tunnel" through the intermediate drive and stay with the outdrive.

After that, disassemble the trunions one the left and right of the drive (where it pivots up and down) - and rock it back off toward you. Watch out, it's got some weight to it.

That will allow the engine to run free if the drive is seized.

The drive will pretty easily break down into upper and lower gear box by removing the top cap. The upper "should" spin relatively free ... may not spin by hand, but should spin with some effort. The lower will aways spin free if the gears aren't engaged.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: 175 OMC won't turn over.

That is a HIGH profile electric shift outdrive. You need to have it in the full up position to remove it. Follow the instructions given above and it will be a breeze.

Also, at the first opportunity, lose that whale tale. They are very hard on the drives and very quirky in their intended performance.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 175 OMC won't turn over.

Looks like a low profile to me. I thought all Fords were mated to the low profile drives.

 

[Redrig]

Re: 175 OMC won't turn over.

yeah, thats low profile.

I have the same setup (302)

That's a hell of a steal for a case of beer, even if you never get it running. there's $ in parts there.

 

[splitshift]

Re: 175 OMC won't turn over.

Yea I figure it is still a steal. If the weather is nice tomorrow I will try to take of the leg. Something in the tilt mechanism is broken because it moves freely and will only stay in the down position. I have read that the tilt on these is all the way up or down is this correct? How does that affect this thing in the water I am only familiar operating a boat with an adjustable trim. Also fear not that whale tail will be long gone before this thing sees the lake.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: 175 OMC won't turn over.

Looks like a low profile to me. I thought all Fords were mated to the low profile drives.

on further examination, I think you are correct. The electric shift OD's always seem to look longer than the mechanical varieties. I never heard about the Ford vs Chevy OD size. I always considered it to be a hull construction issue.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: 175 OMC won't turn over.

Yea I figure it is still a steal. If the weather is nice tomorrow I will try to take of the leg. Something in the tilt mechanism is broken because it moves freely and will only stay in the down position. I have read that the tilt on these is all the way up or down is this correct? How does that affect this thing in the water I am only familiar operating a boat with an adjustable trim. Also fear not that whale tail will be long gone before this thing sees the lake.

Are you saying that you can raise the outdrive by hand or that you cannot raise the outdrive at all?

 

[splitshift]

Re: 175 OMC won't turn over.

I can raise it by hand, and it doesn't stay in the up position.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: 175 OMC won't turn over.

I can raise it by hand, and it doesn't stay in the up position.

Sounds like the shaft between the clutch and the tilt motor is broken. Does the tilt motor turn when you activate it?

 

[splitshift]

Re: 175 OMC won't turn over.

Sounds like the shaft between the clutch and the tilt motor is broken. Does the tilt motor turn when you activate it?

I am still working on some of the electrical bugs on it. So as of right now the only thing that has power from the ignition switch is the starter. After I get the motor at least free and rolling over I will continue to the rest of the issues.

 

[Redrig]

Re: 175 OMC won't turn over.

If you can raise and lower it by hand easily, the tilt quadrant may not even be hooked up. its on the port side and looks like a half moon gear, its connected by 3 vertical bolts to the upper.

 

[splitshift]

Re: 175 OMC won't turn over.

The half moon gear and the gear it rides on are there. When the out drive is lifted by hand the gear it rides on just spins.

 

[Redrig]

Re: 175 OMC won't turn over.

bummer , sounds like clutch problems then.

 

[splitshift]

Re: 175 OMC won't turn over.

Okay gurus here is an update. I managed to pull the leg off today. So the great news is that the motor turns over freeley with the plugs out. I guess the bad news though is that the out drive must therefore be seized or piled up some how. I did manage to find a plate with a model number (980653) and serial number (W 51185) I hope this will help with identifying this thing and allow me to start finding some parts.