-> The room fell silent as Dan Hunt whispered to Greg Moore...  
  
 DH> Actually I'm sort of new at this, but from what I have been told, it  
 DH> is an 800 series. (Electric shift).  
 
Actually, '800 series' gearcases refer to mechanical shift units made from 
1978 to 1985 (and will have a decal on the top indicating it). The easiest 
way for the layman to tell them apart, is the mechanical shift models use the
same prop as the outboards with the exhaust exiting through the centre of 
the prop. Electric shift models have a large plastic cone and drive pin with 
the exhaust exiting at the back of the cavitation plate. 
 
 DH> I was hoping that maybe someone with a bit of OMC experience might  
 DH> have been lurking about out there.  Thanks, I will be sure to do  
 DH> this while I have it apart this time.  
 
That would be me then.  While these weren't the most reliable drives when
abused, they offer good service life when maintained and used properly. As
you already know, nothing turns tighter or tilts higher, but the trade-off
is they can't be run in the partial tilt position without damaging the ball
gears. 
 
 DH> There's a place in North Carolina that sells mail order. A complete  
 DH> top unit seal kit can be had for about 37.00. Basic Power Industries,
 
I am not a fan of mail order parts for one basic reason. These parts rarely
meet the original specs set out by the manufacturer for quality. As an 
example, where the OEM calls for a teflon lip seal, the aftermarket companies
will supply a standard rubber one. The result is a great price reduction, but
a quality reduction as well. 
 
 DH> Do you have any suggestions for removal of the tilt motor which is  
 DH> buried under the engine at the stern plate? Mine doesn't work and it's
 DH> in one heck of a spot to get at from what I can see.  
 
Yoga classes? ;-)  These do require some effort, especially if you are 
unfamiliar with how they are bolted on. I have pulled many of these motors
without actually seeing what I was doing and going by feel. On some boats,
removal of the rubber transom boot can provide great access, especially when
working with someone on the inside.  
 
Regards, 
 
          Dave Brown 
          Brown's Marina 
  
... Up a polluted tributary without a suitable means of propulsion. 
--- Blue Wave v2.12
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