Omc stringer 800 question

[Kc8cst]

I purchased a 1981 Wellcraft with a 260 and 800 series stringer a couple years ago. I have performed routine maintenance such as changing the fluids and impeller in the outdrive. I have had zero issues until this year. It looks like my upper gear case is leaking and coming out the weep hole in the lower. I understand this is a common problem. My question is that when I went to order an upper seal kit, my upper shows a model number from a electric shift 1977. My lower is a mechanical shift 800. Is this possible?

Upper model number
980701

 

[southkogs]

I believe the answer is yes. I don't have specs on the 260 (that I can find), so I'm not 100% sure. But the uppers are typically the same beast provided the gear ratio is correct.

Lots of "franken-motors" out there in the world of OMC Stringers.

 

[kenny nunez]

SouthKongs is right about the upper seal kit. Are you sure the upper is where the leak is? Usually on an 800 the leak may be in the lower shift cable or the cable jacket. Have you checked the oil level of the upper with the top dipstick?
The 260 / 800 was one of the models around 79-80s

 

[Kc8cst]

I believe it is the upper due to the fact I found water in it when I did the oil change. Ever since I changed the oil this year it has had a small leak out of that weep hole. The lower had zero water intrusion when I drained it

 

[kenny nunez]

Raise the drive up and look in the exhaust inlet. Look if there is any oil inside that area. Also look at where the the small gear is located that steers the drive. They are also known to leak. The seal surface on the ball gear is where water gets into the upper gear housing.