Does a 78 OMC 120 need an ESA?

[jontoronto27]

I have a 1978 OMC 120 I/O with a now 1984 OMC 400 outdrive. My old one was Hydro-assist, and now new one is mechanical, spoke to a guy in the states about my ball gears, asked him about the ESA. He told me that if I get an electronic ignition conversion, I should be able to idle my boat down to about 500rpms, which would make it okay to shift without it. Can anyone verify this?

Thanks!
Jon

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Does a 78 OMC 120 need an ESA?

I assume that you got the appropriate shift converter box for that Mechanical shift as the Hydro-mech box shifts in the opposite direction. Theoretically, you should have the ESA. The switch would have been mounted on the converter box. Unfortunately I do not know enough about them to know if you can safely get away without it.

Although an 'electronic' ignition may give you a somewhat smoother lower idle I think the guy was blowing smoke.

If you want to know for sure call Steve at Ryan's marine, Portland Oregon 503 282 8807. Tell him where you are calling from. He'll gladly share what he knows about your situation. There is no better OMC expert than he. People ship him units from all over the country. He knows all the shortcuts and possible mods from one OMC to the other.

Oh, and by the way, with a 1984 lower unit, I would not title the post, 'Does a 78 OMC 120 need an ESA?'

 

[jontoronto27]

Re: Does a 78 OMC 120 need an ESA?

Oh, and by the way, with a 1984 lower unit, I would not title the post, 'Does a 78 OMC 120 need an ESA?'

Thanks for the help. It seemed more to the point then "Does a 78 OMC 120 need an ESA in order to be compatible with a 1984 OMC 400 outdrive? I've heard no, lets discuss!"

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Does a 78 OMC 120 need an ESA?

Thanks for the help. It seemed more to the point then "Does a 78 OMC 120 need an ESA in order to be compatible with a 1984 OMC 400 outdrive? I've heard no, lets discuss!"

More appropriately, It should have been "Does an '84 OMC need an ESA"

As far as discussing it, I've already given you my best shot.

I assume that you got the appropriate shift converter box for that Mechanical shift as the Hydro-mech box shifts in the opposite direction. Theoretically, you should have the ESA. The switch would have been mounted on the converter box. Unfortunately I do not know enough about them to know if you can safely get away without it.

Although an 'electronic' ignition may give you a somewhat smoother lower idle I think the guy was blowing smoke.

If you want to know for sure call Steve at Ryan's marine, Portland Oregon 503 282 8807. Tell him where you are calling from. He'll gladly share what he knows about your situation. There is no better OMC expert than he. People ship him units from all over the country. He knows all the shortcuts and possible mods from one OMC to the other.