800 Stinger thoughts..

[beaudeen]

Well, after reading all the stringer posts, it seems as though I have aquired yet another HIGH maintenance little lady !!! However, they can be fun for a short time. Has anyone had any good luck with the setup..?? With regular maintenance and keeping everything in adjustment and changing the gear lube a few times a season, can i expect a relatively problem free season..?? You guys have me scared now and just wondering if I should unload the boat when she's setup right again..81 Caravelle 185 hp 800 stringer..she looks great!!!

 

[Laddies]

Re: 800 Stinger thoughts..

The 800s were a vast improvment over the electric shifts and not to bad of unit, with the moderate power you have it should be pretty trouble free, with good maintance and common sence

 

[beaudeen]

Re: 800 Stinger thoughts..

G'day again...My son wants to me to put a wakeboard tower on the old girl..has good power out of the hole and a half decent wake..giving them some good air..BUT..seems everytime I yank someone up, I squeeze my cheeks,cross my fingers and pray I don't hear the stringer let go.!!! Any thoughts on preventative maintenance would be greatly appreciated..experienced in Aircraft maintenance not boats..thanks again

 

[KaGee]

Re: 800 Stinger thoughts..

All boats require maintenance. You can trade boats alright... you can also trade problems.<br /><br />The Stringer has it's nuances.<br /><br />Like never run with drive tilted up!<br />Keep your engine running smooth and idle down to around 650 for shifting. Add an idle return spring if you don't already have one.<br /><br />The Stringer threads on this board are far and away eclipsed by those with problem Mercs. RODBOLT affectionatly calls them "Black Anchors". <br /><br />Remember... unfamiliarity breeds contempt. Keep that in mind when reading Stringer threads on this board.

 

[beaudeen]

Re: 800 Stinger thoughts..

Point taken...common sense prevails..just wanted to hear from some one running a set up similar to mine that has good luck with it and tips to keep it going...thanks again for your time..

 

[WSUDERMAN]

Re: 800 Stinger thoughts..

6 seasons and still going...<br /><br />some good advise above... <br /><br />I have the OMC 185 as well and all we do is watersports! I have done some work on the motor and it made quite an improvement in performance but the outdrive is completly stock. The tower was a great addition, go for it...<br /><br />

 

[Boomyal]

Re: 800 Stinger thoughts..

beaudeen, my 800 hydro-mechanical unit is now 25 years old (trouble free). It was grafted on to a 1975 Electric shift intermediate housing in 1980. There were a number of years, in the nineties, that it didn't get any use but otherwise it was put to task for many hours of highly loaded use. I just did have the outdrive gone thru, as I was putting a higher output V8 in front of it.<br /><br />I replaced the earlier small splined drive shaft and coupler with the latter heavier splined units, replaced the water pump drive shafts, water pump and resealed it. It probably would have run on for quite a while without having done these things but I figured it was time.<br /><br />KaGee stated the whole affair very succinctly. Read all the posts about gimbals, bellows, alignment etc for the other brands.

 

[beaudeen]

Re: 800 Stinger thoughts..

Hey Boomyal..kinda figured for every unsatisfied stringer user there would be a 100 happy ones..can you tell me what gear oil you have been using in the stern drive that has been working for you..nothing like experience...UPS just dropped off the upper gear box I bought..will throw it on this weekend and hope to get her back in the water soon..thanks for your time..!!!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: 800 Stinger thoughts..

I use Amsoil 75-90 synthetic gear oil in upper, lower and intermediate housing.