OMC sterndrive wont steer

Discussion in 'Gas Engines' started by Tuckerdog1, Jun 11, 2014.

  1. Tuckerdog1
    Joined: Jun 2014
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    Location: yakima, Wa.

    Tuckerdog1 New Member

    Boat has been sitting out in the weather for several years, the stern drive seems to be locked up, cant move left or right, at helm or the drive its self, any ideas whats going on, newbi here, please help,
     
  2. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    Welcome to the forum.

    There are several areas to look, but usually, when a boat sits for a long time, things corrode and freeze up. This things are obvious, when you know where to look.

    Additionally you could have electrical or hydraulic issues, leaks, failed pumps, etc.

    The very first thing you need to do is get a repair manual for your particular drive assembly and go through it's diagnostic section. These books will be the first $30 you toss at the project and you'll use it often.

    The OMC drives have been out of production for along time (a couple of decades at least), making some parts availability difficult at times. If the boat, engine and drive system are in fairly good shape, maybe just needing a tuneup and replaced consumables, it might be worth fixing. If it's a basket case that's frozen, rusted and needs a lot of attention, you'd be best advised to toss the drive and look for something else.
     
  3. Tuckerdog1
    Joined: Jun 2014
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    Location: yakima, Wa.

    Tuckerdog1 New Member

    Par, the boat is in good shape, everything else works, have started it, sounds fine, stern just wont move, what other drive will work in this boat, its has a w- 351 ford 190 hp. any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you Cecil
     
  4. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
    Posts: 19,126
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    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    Again, the very first "part" you by for this boat is a manual.

    [​IMG]

    Diagnosing the tilt/trim is fairly easy, though knowing where to look and what to look for is where the book will help. It could be a simple as a tripped breaker or blown fuse, to something as annoying as a corroded hydraulic distribution block, which on the drive I think you have is a pain in the *** to replace.
     
  5. whitepointer23

    whitepointer23 Previous Member

    you can adapt the ford to Volvo or mercruiser legs, I wouldn't touch the older mercruisers but old Volvo's like the 270 or 280 are excellent legs for reliability and corrosion resistance. but there trim and tilt setup is rubbish compared to a mercruiser. you may be better off if you can find a complete take out stern drive with engine rather than trying to fit your motor to another leg. it is not an easy job if you are inexperienced . the best option is a pod and outboard depending on how much you can do yourself. if you have to use professionals to do the work the cost will probably exceed the boats value, but the finished product would be guaranteed to work. imo pre cobra omc legs belong in the scrap metal dump. good luck with it which ever way you decide to go. you will get plenty of info off the guys on this forum when you need it.
     
  6. whitepointer23

    whitepointer23 Previous Member

    forgot to mention, if you do change to another brand you will have that giant stringer hole to fill in the transom. that is unless you have an omc cobra which uses the same mounting cutout as a mercruiser. you need to give us the model of your sterndrive. there is a big difference between a cobra and a stringer.
     
  7. Tuckerdog1
    Joined: Jun 2014
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    Location: yakima, Wa.

    Tuckerdog1 New Member

    forgot to mention, also looking for a copy of owners manual, or wiring diagrams for same, thanks. Cecil
     

  8. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
    Posts: 19,126
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    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    A manufactures owner's manual is useless and will just tell you how to turn the key to start it. Just get the repair manual and it will include the typical wiring diagrams for the appropriate engine/drive combination you have. It's the best 30 bucks you spend.
     
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