OMC required tools?? What do the masters use??

[Ranger 330V]

I'm really wanting to start working on outboards, mainly my own...and helping friends out, but what tools would you guys that work on them all the time recommend?? Anything you would buy or build?? Neat tools that you have come up with to make life just a little easier...if you'll share. lol. I already have timing light, compression gauge, access to peak volt meter, and misc other tools...(sockets, wrenchs...etc) What else do you recommend?? Thanks!! I figure there are others on here that will like to know this also.

 

[F_R]

Re: OMC required tools?? What do the masters use??

What do you plan to work on? Makes a difference.
No matter what, a real good flywheel puller is mandatory. Torque wrenches, both ft/lbs and inch/lbs. A strap wrench for holding flywheels (make your own). Fixed jet screwdrivers for carbs. There are all sorts of special tools needed for gearcases and bearing/seal replacement.

The big "tool" is at some point you cross the line from a hobby to being a business and have to collect sales taxes, dispose of hazardous materials, keep books. There is no end. And there is the biggest one of all...liability. Do you want to risk your and your family's future from somebody suing you for $ten million?

 

[Ranger 330V]

Re: OMC required tools?? What do the masters use??

mine is more of a hobby...I'm 28 and an agri teacher so I have all sorts of tools in our shop up here. I'm working on a 78 140 Johnson right now, just got done getting a 1150 merc going again...I've always loved working on engines/trucks...etc...but ever since I got on iboats and worked on that a1150 I've been hooked...I'm on this site all the time...lol...its addictive. Now I've gotten the bug and would like to start slow and work on my own stuff for a while, getting an old engine here and there and learning about them. Then when I get to time to retire maybe I would get into something more than just a hobby. You just can't find anyone to work on older engines anymore...alot of the knowledge that people have had for so many years is starting be lost because no one is replacing these people. Kinda like going into some of the parts places now...they have a computer and no knowledge of what they are looking at...if the computer doesn't say it...it doesn't exist or isn't possible. I'm a sucker for old stuff too. Thanks again...what about the 140 Johnson?? Tools you would need...isn't this site great...a way to keep that knowledge from being lost!

 

[F_R]

Re: OMC required tools?? What do the masters use??

Your question was what do the pros use. Lemme tell you, I was a pro for 24 years and I never got all the tools I needed because just about the time I had every tool known to man, something else came up. If you were to rebuild the gearcase on that 140 you would need, among other things, a drive shaft shim guage, a honking-big pair of ratcheting snap ring pliers, a special socket to torque the pinion nut, and more. But if you never get into the gearcase you don't need any of that stuff. I had lots of tools that only got used once.

My advice is to buy the tool as you need it. If you ever have to borrow a tool, buy one of your own for the next time. That's the way it always worked with my co-workers. Loan it one time, let them get their own for the next time.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: OMC required tools?? What do the masters use??

a multimeter is also a must for troubleshooting the various systems of an outboard.

 

[Ranger 330V]

Re: OMC required tools?? What do the masters use??

thats kinda what I was thinking, was to just get them as I go. I'm really looking foward to getting into this. I have an electrician friend and I'm going to use his klien multimeter....I have three multimeters...do you have to have a DVA to check the electircal system or will a good multimeter work?? What does the DVA do exactly??

 

[HighTrim]

Re: OMC required tools?? What do the masters use??

DVA meters, or Direct Volt Amps, are specialty meters for measuring average DC voltages and AC voltage spikes on ignition systems. Some of the more common meters include the Stevens CD-77, Merc-o-tronic and ESI meters with DVA ranges. One of the most important measurements to be taken on
ignition systems are voltage measurements using a DVA meter.

 

[dimock44]

Re: OMC required tools?? What do the masters use??

Also don't forget, crowbar. cutting torch, 8lb slege hammer, 48 inch pipe wrench, and last but no least 2 or 3 sticks of dynomite. Grin Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

 

[Ranger 330V]

Re: OMC required tools?? What do the masters use??

lol..thats hilarious...yeah I ALWAYS have those tools handy. I talked to my electric guy...and he has a fluke 89....and said I should get a DVA adapter that the 89 would get one pulse but might miss one...so I guess thats on my list...lol.

 

[Solittle]

Re: OMC required tools?? What do the masters use??

High pressure air compressor.

 

[Ranger 330V]

Re: OMC required tools?? What do the masters use??

air compressor...is this for a leakdown test to go along with compression testing?? This is good, I know most folks with a manual will see what tools they need, but I like the idea of having a post to get all the tools together and catagorize them...I didn't even know about the DVA until I started just reading about it. Then found an adaptor for the fluke. Keep it coming then when its done or close I'm going to try to catagorize the tools into different areas...ie..lower unit, electrical...and so forth. I like to have all the tools I'll need before I start a job so this is great...keep it coming.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: OMC required tools?? What do the masters use??

If you can get hold of a factory special tool's catalog, this can be a great help. This catalog has very good picture's, plus a discription, and use of each tool. In my shop, I have metal lathe's, vertical mill, and most all related tooling. I have made many of the tool's shown in this catalog. Most mechanic's, when it come's to buying tool's, will impulse buy, It took me a long time to get over that. Search the service manual's, and tool catalog's, and purchace what will best fill your need's. Buying tool's by the piece, such as at sear's, instead of by the set can save you a lot of money. When it come's to working on outboard's, I have row's of wrench's that never get out of the drawer. As an example, you will never need a full set of 1/2" socket's.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: OMC required tools?? What do the masters use??

The air compressor is for blowing out water passages, carbs, etc and for running specialty tools like paint guns, grinders, etc. Don't use it for pressure testing lower units unless you can accurately regulate the pressure under 12 psi.

I'm no professional, but I'd also suggest you buy a spark tester, compression tester, impact driver, set of thread taps, propane torch and bolt/screw extractors. A jig for holding lower units is also very helpful. Add this stuff to what the guys above have said plus your basic hand tools and you have a good start.

 

[Ranger 330V]

Re: OMC required tools?? What do the masters use??

gotcha on the air compressor...I bet you wouldn't need the 1/2" drive much...kinda overkill..lol. I'm a bad impulse buyer but getting better. I saw a jig to hold lower units made from a block of wood at a shop one day...looked really nice. I do need some extractors...having trouble getting the lower plug out of the lower unit...lol, I'm off to a great start huh??

 

[wbeaton]

Re: OMC required tools?? What do the masters use??

having trouble getting the lower plug out of the lower unit...lol, I'm off to a great start huh??

That's where a good impact driver comes in.

 

[Ranger 330V]

Re: OMC required tools?? What do the masters use??

I have one at the agri shop, I've busted two flathead screwdrivers and still can't get it off not holding my head right..lol...also we have a cherry picker (engine hoist) that is a must in my book for moving an engine around..going to build an engine stand today...it'll be my first...but hopefully will work well.

 

[iwombat]

Re: OMC required tools?? What do the masters use??

For an engine stand, I just build a mini-transom out of 2x8s and ply and bolt it to my big block engine stand. Run a couple of 2x8s up vertically to a height that provides enough ground-to-powerhead clearance and fasten to a sheet of ply with screws and glue. I use the big-block stand for the c-shaped feet. The I-beam kind get a little wobbly due to the added height required for the LU.

 

[Ranger 330V]

Re: OMC required tools?? What do the masters use??

that sounds like a good design, I don't have the engine holder, we have some old angle iron stands..have NO idea what they were for something with the football field or track but I'm going to weld up a stand and put 2X6's for the "transom part" we have alot of those laying around from where students cut them for projects..like the idea of adding the plywood for reinforcement and to spread the pressure of the bolts out off of one piece to two or three pieces...then I'm going to get some castors for the bottom.

 

[pduquette]

Re: OMC required tools?? What do the masters use??

What? you "pros" forgot The 12oz stress releivers?!?!? MANY times I've had to step back , pop a cold I.B.C. rootbeer - then I'll find the solution I'd been overlooking . (then usualy get a couple more knuckle band-aids )

 

[Ranger 330V]

Re: OMC required tools?? What do the masters use??

pduqette?? are you an IBC'er? Thats what we live on when we are working on stuff..lol. That Mountain Dew and Organge Crush...can't beat them. Sometimes you have to kick back, look at the dern thing...chug an IBC and get your nerve up, because she won that battle but you hope to win the war...lol. Got my engine stand built..I'll post pics tommorrow...turned out really nice...kinda overkill...as I used some sch 80 pipe that we had laying around the shop lol. But I bet I can put any outboard on it I want to...not to hard to get around the shop either...going to put casters on it later...that will give me the drive to get the 140 Johnson off the stand and on my ranger...lol.