1976 OMC outdrive

[newtoboating66]

Does having little or no oil in the upper and lower components of the outdrive keep it from shifting? I am new to boating and I bought the boat last year. It ran fine last year but this year when I took it out it will not shift. I actually stalled out the motor when I tried shifting.

 

[bruceb58]

Little or no oil will seize up the drive.

 

[Redrig]

Little or no oil will seize up the drive.

yes , add oil or dont run it .

your lower unit takes type C , which is for electric shifts so without that .... no shift.

 

[newtoboating66]

Thanks for the info. I just drained the oil in the lower unit. The oil was about the color of coffee with a lot of milk. The upper unit was empty. I will pick up some Type C for the lower unit and I understand the upper unit takes OMC HI-LIS Lube or 80W90. How much should be in each unit? There was only about 1 quart in the lower unit.

 

[southkogs]

How much should be in each unit? There was only about 1 quart in the lower unit.

About 34 OZ of Type C in the lower, and 13-18 OZ of whatever is available in the upper (depending on your HP).

 

[superbenk]

Sounds like you have water in the oil too. You should leak test the whole drive & replace gaskets/seals as necessary. Sounds like that drive needs some love in general.

 

[newtoboating66]

Thanks again gentleman. I thought that the color of the oil meant that I was getting water in the oil. Now all I have to do is figure out were the oil seals are to replace them. Do I have to pull the entire out drive apart or is this a simple fix? Sure is fun buying a used boat when you have never owned on before!

 

[Redrig]

changing seals means pulling off and dissambling the drive , its a chore.

 

[newtoboating66]

That's what I figured. Thanks

 

[Chad Flaugher]

There are nylon washers on all the drain and fill screws. Those can go bad making for an easy fix if that's the case. The factory suggests you change those washers every time you change your oil. When I found that out, I just bought a bag of them.