OMC Stringer Ball Gear

[dgroote]

So I recently purchased a 73 Chris Craft Lancer. It has some issues? to be expected.. It has a 307 chevy with a OMC Stringer?800 I think. This is my first boat. I?m mechanically inclined but haven?t done a lot of work on boats. We are in the process of pulling the engine to replace the rear freeze plugs. The engine runs great. The our tilt works. However there are a number of the things that are not working and we haven?t had it in the water yet. The ball gear assemble has a lot of wear on it (see photos). Everyone is telling to replace them now since the outdrive is off. I would prefer to get it in the water and test it before I spend the money on replace them. So here are my questions.
If I wait to replace them I?m I running the risk of damaging the outdrive with them in the condition they are in?
Is this typical wear? Or is this a sign that there is something else going on?
thanks
David

 

[Redrig]

Thats normal wear for the ball gears , yours are definately needing replaced though . They say to replace when they are 50% worn .

If they fail while on the water you will have no power to the outdrive or cooling system , so basically dead in the water . You can still definately get a test drive or 2 out of them though. I am in the process of replacing mine too .

The outdrive is easy enough to get on and off , its your call on when to replace them but know that those ball gears dont have too much life left on them.

and by the way , with a 73 you are an electric shift stringer NOT an 800.

 

[dgroote]

Great.... thanks for the info.

 

[southkogs]

Make sure you have Type C oil in your lower unit and I would check both gear cases for signs of water before runnin' at all. Otherwise, what REDRIG said

Welcome aboard.

 

[superbenk]

Ball gears that worn will work but you start running the risk of putting extra wear on the bearings as the gears start trying to push pas each other. Replacing them isn't hard but you may need a puller if they're corroded on. There are nuts under dust caps in the center of the gears you need to pry out.