Is this the dreaded stringer drive? (pic)

keelhauled

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 5, 2003
Messages
172
Hard to see... but it sure looks like an OMC 800/Stringer. If it's an OMC, and it's a '79, you betcha it's an 800 unless it's been repowered.<br /><br />Easiest way to tell: Stringer drives have a big rubber boot around the intermediate housing in the transom. Also, they have a big quadrant gear for the tilt mechanism.<br /><br />OMC Cobras have hydraulic rams for trim/tilt.
 

TwoBallScrewBall

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 14, 2003
Messages
1,695
Re: Is this the dreaded stringer drive? (pic)

I could be wrong, but I don't think a stringer has tilt as that drive does. <br /><br />Again might be wrong about that.
 

Mahoney

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
537
Re: Is this the dreaded stringer drive? (pic)

thats definitely not a stringer drive.
 

keelhauled

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 5, 2003
Messages
172
Re: Is this the dreaded stringer drive? (pic)

I just downloaded the picture and zoomed in... it is indeed an OMC 800 low-profile. Probably a hydro-mechanical shift which is a little more reliable than the electrics, but still can be a pain and pricey to repair.<br /><br />I have that drive on my boat. It certainly likes attention, but it gets me there.
 

cc lancer

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 23, 2004
Messages
371
Re: Is this the dreaded stringer drive? (pic)

Is this the dreaded stringer drive<br /><br />It could be the super dreaded electric shift. :) <br /> <br />And for some unknown reason people always rebuild the engine, before they sell the boat.<br />Stringers, foam, tools, glass, resin,carpet, $500. to $1,000. depending on what you use.<br />Keep shopping, Mercruiser parts are cheap, Volvo are expensive, OMC only a few main parts are available.
 

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
Re: Is this the dreaded stringer drive? (pic)

'79. Definitely the first year of the hydro-mechanical shift 800 stringers. No one, in their right mind, would have retrofitted an electric shift model. Someone could have, however, updated it to an '81 mechanical shift lower unit but they would have had to include the shift interupter to do so.
 
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