Re: [OMC-Boats] 1970 Sportsman 155 outdrive stuck in up position

I was able to manually lower the drive and this helped the steering
problem however the drive turns to the left but only a little to the
right I am afraid I forced the drive to the center position, right to
left, to unbind the steering before lowering it and that might still
be my problem. How can I re-center the steering.

Bill
On May 24, 2009, at 11:22 AM, Lee Shuster wrote:

> There are possibly two different issues going on here, and I
> experienced both problems but not at the same time:
>
> ==========================================================
>
> 1) Steering system: Ethan's mentioned the "aircraft-type" nylon
> cable and pulley system. This technology was essentially adapted
> from outboard technology of the fifties. It is one of three systems
> typically used on OMC electric shift sterndrives.
> While it offers light weight and relatively inexpensive and
> commonly sourced parts. It can "jump" off the pulley (especially
> since the vinyl covered cable tends to "stretch" with age and then
> requires re-reigging, a task, that's relatively easy to do if you
> have the time and inclination to do it.
> BUT BE CAREFUL, I've heard some guys get it backwards and go out
> and have a boat that steers backwards. Fortunately it's usually not
> as deadly as in aircraft applications!
>
> The best cure is prevention. As a precaution, ALWAYS CENTER THE
> STERNDRIVE LEG PRIOR TO RAISING OR LOWERING. If it's any
> consolation, mine did this twice and both times it was when I was
> pulling the boat out of the water (when someone else was at the helm).
> (But imagine this happening after beaching 10 miles from the ramp!
> It could be a long tow home!)
>
> There is another possible cure, but it will be very time consuming
> and relatively expensive.. You can "upgrade" the original rope-
> pulley system to either of the two other types, that OMC offered in
> later years.
>
> a) You can try and locate an NOS OMC TruCourse, push-pull, gear-
> driven, sealed system. (I did this when re-powering my boat and
> love it, it's a great improvement.) But they are very hard to find
> in the correct length. Or you can
>
> b) Use a much more common mechanical (rack and pinion) cable system
> that utilizes the
> external "tiller" arm to move the sterndrive leg externally. This
> system does have the disadvantage of poking another hole in your
> transom for the tiller arm.
>
> ==========================================================
>
> 2) Tilt Problem: The clicking sound you hear is most likely the
> DOWN-side TILT motor relay, which is nothing more than a high
> current device that "relays" the UP or DOWN requests from the helm-
> mounted switch to the bi-directional tilt motor thru the hammer-
> blow clutch on the port-side of the intermediate drive.
>
> This may or MAY NOT be related to present steering problem. In my
> case it turned out to be a defective relay and did not occur co-
> incidentally with my steering rope problem. As with any electrical
> problem on 40+ year old boats, you'll want to make sure all
> connections are clean and corrosion-free.
> (The low-current helm-switches rarely go bad, but the relays often
> do, so I carry a spare, as there are several (3 or 4) typically
> used on the these boats. Again, do cheap out, get an OMC, marine-
> approved device, for intrinsically safe operation.)
>
> Fortunately, the relays are available (and interchangeable between
> UP and DOWN positions for trouble shooting) as are the OMC-
> Prestolite tilt motors. The hammer-blow clutch-pack housing can
> leak, so it's not a bad idea to get an understanding of how it
> works so you can rebuild it if necessary.
> Usually when relays fail, you hear the clicking of the low-current
> side, but the high current side is not responding. Easy enough to
> diagnose with a simple trouble light or (DVM) multi-meter.
>
> ==========================================================
>
> Good luck.
>
> Lee Shuster
>
>
>
> On May 23, 2009, at 9:21 PM, William R. Lindow, DMD wrote:
>
>> I hear a clicking sound when flipping the
>> switch and that's all. Does the outdrive
>> need to be straight before raising it?
>>
>>
>>
>> On May 23, 2009, at 11:07 PM, BLDFW <bldfw@...> wrote:
>>
>>> When you say you're unable to lower it, what is happening? Is it
>>> trying to lower but not or maybe a problem with the switch?
>>> What's it doing?
>>>
>>> -Bill
>>> Dallas, TX
>>> 1970 Evinrude Explorer - 155 Buick V6 - OMC sterndrive
>>> http://www.photobucket.com/evinrude_explorer
>>>
>>> --- On Sat, 5/23/09, William R. Lindow, DMD
>>> <williamlindow@...> wrote:
>>>
>>> From: William R. Lindow, DMD <williamlindow@...>
>>> Subject: [OMC-Boats] 1970 Sportsman 155 outdrive stuck in up
>>> position
>>> To: omc-boats@...
>>> Date: Saturday, May 23, 2009, 9:58 PM
>>>
>>> Took my boat out today and it ran great. When docking, I turned
>>> off the engine and raised the outdrive. Got it onto the trailer
>>> and noticed the outdrive was turned to the right and I was unable
>>> to lower it or turn the steering wheel. Any thoughts would be
>>> appreciated. Bill
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Received on Sunday, 24 May 2009