stringer 800 wont shift into forward

dwestcott

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Sep 15, 2012
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hello,
I have a 1974 slickcraft with a omc stringer 800 electric shift outdrive with 265 horse motor. The problem is i cannot shift into forward but it will let me shift into reverse. I have checked the wires that run into the lower unit with my meter and im getting 12 volts when I move the shifter to forward and reverse. I also checked ohms and I got 6.1 on either wire but I hear no click in the outdrive when i shift to forward from neutral or from neutralto reverse. Is it possibly a bad coil or spring perhaps? Does anyone know where I can get step by step instuctions to tear down the lower unit to get at the coils. thank you to everyone that could possibly help and could have some input on this because i am totally lost and have searched the internet high and low for info on this boat. thanks again
 

Daviet

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Sep 24, 2008
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Re: stringer 800 wont shift into forward

By the way you describe it, it does sound like you have a problem in the lower unit. I hate to say it, but your best source of information for the repairs you need to do is in the factory manual. It might be worth it to get the manual and use it for repairs.
 

southkogs

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Re: stringer 800 wont shift into forward

A couple of the service manuals used to be available as PDFs on the internet, but they've largely disappeared (or at least moved). Order a good service manual for the drive. I don't think you're an 800 by the way. The 800 was a later series, you're a '74 electric shift. You can read more HERE.

I don't find a 265HP for '74 in the lists anywhere ... might wanna' double check your HP. What engine is it hooked to?
 

dwestcott

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Sep 15, 2012
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Re: stringer 800 wont shift into forward

A couple of the service manuals used to be available as PDFs on the internet, but they've largely disappeared (or at least moved). Order a good service manual for the drive. I don't think you're an 800 by the way. The 800 was a later series, you're a '74 electric shift. You can read more HERE.

I don't find a 265HP for '74 in the lists anywhere ... might wanna' double check your HP. What engine is it hooked to?

thanks for the response. yeah I saw that article and found it to be very helpful and I saw that chart on the bottom that your referring to and didn't see my HP on there either. its hooked to a 350 Chevy and I though it was a STRINGER 800. I think I may have to break down and buy a manual(when I find out what the drive really is) unless someone knows where a pdf version is . anyways thanks for the help and anymore insight is very appreciated because now I'm more confused then ever.
 

southkogs

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Re: stringer 800 wont shift into forward

Shoot a coupla' pictures and post 'em up. Maybe you do have an 800 after all ... I don't really see where they clipped a 350 on any of the Stringers, so there's a chance you have something of a "Franken-motor" and they replaced the original drive with an 800 series. Photos of the unit should help tell ... might post the controller too.

'74 as a model year would have been an electric shift. Pretty easy to tell if that's what you have: water intake would be just above the prop like so:
OMCes_wtrIntake.jpg

And you should be able to find your shift wires on the port (passenger) side of the engine going from the wire harness through the intermediate housing and into the drive, here's mine (lower set of wires sitting on the blower duct):
OMCes_ShiftCables.jpg
 

southkogs

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Re: stringer 800 wont shift into forward

You're electric shift alright. Even better yet, the dude who posted in reply to you on that forum posts on this forum as Howard Sterndrive - he's a genius and gentleman. You'll get great advice from him.

The boat looks like it's in really good shape. I'm curious about the 350 tied into an electric shift - mainly if your gear ratios are gonna' work out. As far as shifting, if you're getting voltage at the wires and you're getting good ohms, my guess would be the magnets? Personally, 'cause I'm a mediocre mechanic at best, I'd be doing a quick search for a comparable lower unit within a 2 hour drive that is workin'.

You're gonna' need a manual for sure if you're going to break into that lower.
 

dwestcott

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Sep 15, 2012
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Re: stringer 800 wont shift into forward

Thx to everyone for shedding some light on my situation . It's helpful to know what model drive u really have. I've decided to take the problem to a buddies shop but because he's short on space I would like to bring him just the lower half of the drive. is it as easy as just removing the bolts sliding it out and disconnecting wires? He may have the drive for a little while because he's busy with winterizations and such and I would like to clean/winterize mine while he has it. once again any help is much appreciated and Thx. also what would be a good price to fix this problem? what have u guys paid for a similar fix?
 

southkogs

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Re: stringer 800 wont shift into forward

1.) Unhook the shift wires to the outdrive inside the boat.
2.) Unlink the steering arm at the outdrive.
3.) Remove covers over the trunions
4.) Support the outdrive
5.) Remove the bolts holding the clamps on the trunions while supporting the outdrive on the tilt quadrant gear
6.) Gently rock the drive off, pivoting on the tilt quadrant gear
7.) Pull the shift cables through the intermediate drive (they stay with the outdrive)

What wound up working best for me was that I found a used lower unit that was working for just a couple of hundred dollars. Kept my old one to try to rebuild (someday :rolleyes:). Over the last few years that I've owned my boat, I've kinda' kept my eyes open for comparable parts and pieces for cheap ... that way when "something" let's go, I hopefully have what I need to fix it myself.
 

dwestcott

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Sep 15, 2012
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Re: stringer 800 wont shift into forward

do I have to do all that to remove just the lower half of the drive where the coils, magnets , and prop are. it doesn't seem like I would have to remove the steering linkage because its attached to the top half. once again Thx and much appreciated
 
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