1984 OMC Stringer 3.0 - Lost Power to Prop

[Jimmackie15]

Hello everybody. I recently bought and am restoring a 1984 Sea Sprite with an OMC 3.0 drive. I believe it is the one referred to as a "stringer". In the water recently , I was under power, felt a thump , then engine rev. No forward and no reverse. Made it back to the ramp with trolling motor. Out of the water, not running, with the drive in the down position, I put it in gear and the prop turns and I can tell parts are turning in the bottom of the drive. Does anyone know what part I have broken and where I can get a replacement. I do a lot of mechanical and electrical work, but I wanted advice first since I understand that this drive is different from all others. Any help would be appreciated greatly. I have not disassembled it yet.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Most likely you lost the splines between the two sections of drive shaft that go thru the water pump internal to the outdrive

 

[southkogs]

^^^^^ Kinda' what I'd be thinking' too.

 

[Scott Danforth]

im surprised they lasted this long. my 84 stringer drive shaft died almost 15 years ago.

 

[Jimmackie15]

Thanks for your help. Do you know the best place to get a replacement ? The only reason this one lasted so long is probably because the boat sat for many years before I got it lol

 

[southkogs]

They may well still be available HERE

 

[Jimmackie15]

Is this the shaft that is probably bad ?

 

[southkogs]

Nope. That's not from a stern drive, that looks like an outboard shaft. The one you need is considerably shorter.

 

[Jimmackie15]

No Title

 

[Jimmackie15]

More like this one? Mine is a 1984 3.0 Litre

 

[southkogs]

Looks more like that ... dunno' if that one's the right one, but it's close in looks.

 

[Jimmackie15]

Ok. On the right track anyway. Thanks a million southkogs. Will keep you updated.

 

[Jimmackie15]

I think it is the right one. OEM Part # 909753

 

[southkogs]

Have you pulled it out and visually confirmed it's demise yet? 'Cuz you get a discount on 'em from here: http://www.iboats.com/Drive-Shaft-18-2185-Sierra/dm/view_id.172841

 

[Jimmackie15]

I think I will. Keep the boat in Oklahoma. Heading back there again in a couple of weeks. Will tear it down and check things out. Will keep you updated. Thanks so much for your help Sir.

 

[southkogs]

Bondo's got a rule that I learned to follow the hard way - confirm what's broke before you start tossing parts at it. It can be a slower process, especially for a mechanical nincompoop like me, but it saves me a bundle in parts.

Good luck with it.