OMC Sterndrive 800 - only goes in reverse

[newtothisboatthing]

Hello,
We just inherited a 1977 Sea Ray SRV 197 with a 351 windsor motor and OMC sterndrive 800 outdrive. It was a family "heirloom" of sorts that has much sentimental value. We would really love to fix it and use it this summer. Before it was parked 3 years ago the boat was running fine up until the last day on the water. All of a sudden there was a "snapping" noise and now the boat only goes in reverse.

We are very new to the upkeep and maintenance of boats. Where do we start to find the problem? My boyfriend's father informed us that it is most likely something to do with the outdrive however we are not sure what or where to start. According to his father the boat has an electric outdrive right now. He suggested switching it back over to mechanical however we aren't sure what would be the easiest and fastest route to go to get it on the water this summer.

Any advice or thoughts would be much appreciated. I am rather mechanically inclined when it comes to motors, give me a car motor and we are all set. If I don't know, I will figure it out. However this outdrive mess is all new and rather confusing to me.

We have tried to get out hands on a repair manual but had no luck. Even contacting Sea Ray was a dead end.

Thank you!

Outdrive info:
Model # 982742
Serial # J298640

 

[southkogs]

Welcome aboard:

Your drive is not an 800 Stringer, it's an electric shift Stringer. '77 was the last year of the electric shift. The number you posted (I think) is the part number to your upper gear case. The model number of the OMC is on a tag somewhere on the engine (usually drivers side on on one of the mounts), it should start out with 9902...

Was the snapping noise a repeating noise - or a one time SNAP! ?

Start by checking the shift wires to make sure you weren't hearing an electrical discharge. They are located on the passenger side toward the back of the engine, you'll see them coming out of the intermediate housing. If they are fine, and the boat will idle ... then my guess would be you've got a lower unit issue.

I never cracked my lower open as I don't have the tools or know-how to deal with a transmission. So, someone else would have to help out (and there are some very good guys here on the forum). However, I have been able to locate replacement units via Craigslist or salvage yards.

Conversion to a full mechanical would probably not be a major difficulty, but at the same time not really easy either. Step one would be just to find a comparable drive.

What kind of shape is the boat in? If it's rough overall, it may not be worth the time an energy you'll have to put in. I like the Electric Shift Stringer, but it is obsolete and some parts are tough to find. If you weren't a boat mechanic before you got this boat ... decide to keep it, and you will be one

 

[newtothisboatthing]

Thank you very much! That gives us a place to start. We were told the boat idles fine and goes in reverse very well...just not forward. The "snap" only happened once according to the information we were given.

Over all, the boat isn't in bad shape. The interior needs a good cleaning and a little re-upholstering done but nothing I can't do. The motor needs a simple tune up but otherwise appears to be ok. I haven't turned it over yet though, so I can't be 100% sure. Its getting new oil, plugs, wires, coil, cap, and rotor, plus the carb cleaned before I even try to start it up.

 

[southkogs]

I guess start by testing the shift wires. With the engine off, but they key turned on, push the throttle forward and see if you're getting 12 volts to the forward shift wire.