1977 OMC - Electric Shift or 800?

[jrsinn]

I am looking for some advise on exactly how to tell if I have a electric shift or an OMC 800. I have a 1977 Marlin (Ford 302 V8). I am about 90% sure it is the electric shift, but need to change fluid and want to make sure that I use the right kind. The shop manual I have talk about both. A previous posting talked about wires going to the shifter and lower unit. There are none readily visible, but I have not taken off the housing. Any advise would be helpful.

 

[jmeydenbauer]

Re: 1977 OMC - Electric Shift or 800?

If you tilt the drive all the way up and look around the ball joint, you can see the wires on an electric shift. If it's the original '77 drive then it would be electric shift.

 

[outboardguy]

Re: 1977 OMC - Electric Shift or 800?

A really easy way to tell is to look at the prop.If the prop has a cone behind it, it's an electric shift.If the prop has an open hub it is either hydro mechanical or mechanical shift.