Parts Question (OMC)

[southkogs]

I'm still learning about I/O's and "white boat anchors." I've got an 1972 OMC 165 electric shift stringer.

My first two questions for the season are: 1.) looks like I need to replace the starter (when I turn the key it just "clicks" but if I tap the starter while turning the key it'll start up). The OMC 165 is a chevy 250 inline 6 - would the starter be the same starter as you would get for a car? Or is it a marine specific starter? (I haven't figured out if I have the Delco or Prestolite yet).

2.) The tilt motor won't run. Flip the switch up - and you just get a "click" and nothing happens. I understand that the hammer blow coupling is a typical gremlin on these drives, but I'm wondering if I need to change out the tilt motor too? Any thoughts?

Thanks as always.

 

[ssn756]

Re: Parts Question (OMC)

I'm installing an automotive starter in my semi frozen OMC 5.7 tomorrow, burned it up making the starter turn the motor. I figured I burn up a $36 starter before putting in the $150+ starter. I'm lazy.

From what I can tell the marine starter looks to be better insulated against water intrusion....duh. I figure if you go automotive you'll replace starters more often than if you went with a marine application.

Declaimer: I'm not an expert. Just pretty good at..........give me a minute.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Parts Question (OMC)

An auto starter does not have the spark protection necessary for marine use. ( it wont blow you up)

you need to check the output of the trim solenoid to see if it is sending 12 volts to the lift motor when it clicks .

 

[southkogs]

Re: Parts Question (OMC)

An auto starter does not have the spark protection necessary for marine use. ( it wont blow you up).

Ah ... hand't thought about that. Thanks Lyle. I'm too used to outboards ... but I do remember to run the blowers on before starting up. The starter for that OMC seems pricey so far.

I'll have to enlist a little help on the solenoid. I know which one it is, but I'm terrible with electrical systems.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Parts Question (OMC)

Hey all, thanks for the replies and other posts in the forum. They were pretty invaluable to someone mechanically challenged like me. One of the things that helped me out there was seeing what others had done, so I thought I'd post the "how it went" part as the mission was ultimately successful:

The starter was pretty easy: I pulled it and hauled it to a local parts shop that rebuilds them (and is familiar with marine parts). They completely rebuilt it and painted it for about 1/2 the cost of a new marine starter. I replaced it yesterday and it starts right up with no problems.

The tilt was more involved, but ultimately fixed about the same way:

1. I started by replacing the solenoids. I picked up solenoids from the local parts shop (typical Ford solenoids). They were inexpensive and easy to replace (did all five in the system while I was at it). Didn't fix the problem, though.

2. I did check the clutch pack to make sure it hadn't been invaded by water, but I didn't take it apart. From everything that I have read you need a couple of specific tools to deal with the clutch pack, so I just checked the lube inside and changed it all out. That didn't fix the problem for me, but I really didn't expect it to.

3. I pulled the tilt motor from the intermediate housing - WOW! What a ride - you don't need to remove the stern drive to do it, but it's quite a reach to the back and it is a project getting to it. I did undo the transom bellows to see if I could get to it any easier, but I wound up working from inside the boat. I pulled the motor and had it rebuilt with the starter - again, about 1/4 to 1/2 the cost of a replacement motor.

4. While I had the motor off, I greased the worm gear and the hammer blow coupling. I had a couple of people suggest that if everything is working right, you can turn the tilt gear (where it meets the tilt quadrant on the stern drive) by hand pretty easily. Not the case with mine. I could turn the worm gear shaft with a screwdriver and the tilt gear would move, but not the reverse.

5. Put it all back together ... again, WOW! what a ride ... getting the tilt motor back in is a PAIN! But, we flipped the tilt switch and it went up and down smooth and actually VERY quiet.

Total time in was less than 8 hours between a couple of nights after work (including doing the solenoids).

I've got a couple of more projects going on before we float her - but I expect to be out by Memorial Day.

 

[Joeshow]

Re: Parts Question (OMC)

HEy, my trim motor was doing the exact same thing, peeled it apart, let it dry out, shined her up some and it works! Don't know for how long but she works!.... good luck!