Mercruiser 165hp Alpha One Outdrive 19' 1975 formula thunderbird
The outdrive will not go down after the hurricane. The starter and the
trim electronics stopped working after the 12 inches of rain.I want to lower the outdrive to take the boat to the boat ramp. I asked
how to get the unit lowered and i was told to open the oil lines and
lower the unit by hand.
The unit would not lower with the hydrolic line open. If i undo the two trim cylinders that are in the water at the end of
the outdrive will the unit lower into position ? or must the oil line
be open and the cylinders unbolted ? Thanks in advance sonofadocker |
sonofadocker
Sep 13
2006
|
| Disconnecting the cylinders above the prop will free the outdrive to
move up and down. But you cannot operate it with the cylinders
detached. It will go too far down and there will be nothing to take
the thrust of the prop. In order to run the boat you need to figure
out why the two cylinders will not go to the normal operating position.
You need to get them working or you need to idle to the ramp. 1975 is older than I have hands on experience with. I believe those
used a single hydralic line to each cylinder unlike the twin lines on
the more recent outdrives. There may be something else about that era
outdrive that needs to be checked. Such as a check valve or something
like that. Perhaps there are others on the newsgroup that have
suggestions. Or you can get a clymers for that year. sonofadocker wrote: |
jamesgangnc
Sep 13
|
| I have had a great spring/summer with the boat. Everything worked fine
for a 30 year old boat. I just needed to make a new engine box and two
new seat cushions for the back.
The weak hurricane gave us 12 inches of rain. My boat cover was brittle
and was ripped in shreds by the 60mph winds. I got water in the engine
which is out now. The boat wouldnt start do to moisture in the ignition
and carb. now it runs ok but needs another carb (carb float appear to
be shot). It runs rich. The ignition key stop working or the starter.
the trim pumps stopped working.The dash board gauges filled with water
and they to are not working yet.
I can jump the starter with a screw driver and it starts immediately.
I checked my trim wires. I only get a click when i hit the up botton.
No sound for the down button. I can make the trim solenoid click with
the screw driver but nothing else happens. My manual shows two trim
solenoids. I only have one for the starter and one for the trim. I also
see fuses in the book that are not present on my boat. This manual that
came with the boat appears to be newer than my 1975 boat.
I only undid one hydrolic line the other day to lower the unit. It
would not move and I was afraid of breaking something.Today or friday I
was going to try and undo all the hydrolic lines (two) and undo the
trim pistons. I will duct tape an empty bottle to each line so I dont
make a mess. I already made a mess doing an oil change last week !!
I just needed to know if anyone has done this before. Will it hurt
anything if the boat is used ? Of course I want to keep the boat in the water two more months but I
will go right to the boat ramp if the boat isnt safe driving with the
trim pistions not connected.
This is my first i/o. I have had outboards before. which i think i
might switch back to !! Thanks james |
sonofadocker
Sep 13
|
| I'm not familiar with the trim cylinders from back then so there may be
something about your setup I am not aware of. Youi can disconnect
things to see if you can figure out the problem. But in order to use
the boat it would be best to have the cylinders on and holding the
outdrive somewhere in the neutral range. And you will need to raise it
when you get to the ramp of course. I will agree that for age outboards generally hold up better. But 31
years is a long time for any engine system. |
jamesgangnc
Sep 13
|
| I think you would be more comfortable working this problem on the dry. Can
you get towed to your ramp?
Failing that try this. Disconnect the hydraulic line on the stern drive side
of the reverse lock valve, if there is such a valve on your boat. Disconnect
the other hydraulic line which should go directly to the trim pumpThe real
old drives had a reverse lock valve and a relief valve on the trim pump
resavoior. If you want to diddle with that stuff, you need to read your
manual. I honestly can't remember anything about them except that they exist
in the real old Mercruisers.The drive should drop down under it's own
weight, while oil squirts out of one of the lines.If nothing happens, You
need to stand on the stern drive and see if it will move. If not, jump on
it. Still no Joy? There is only one more thing to try. Disconnect the rear
ends of the trim cylinders. You might want to have an assistant in the boat
to hold the bitter end of a line that you have secured to the skeg.
Otherwise the drive will drop like a rock and potentially cause some damage.
Keep in mind that you can't run the boat in reverse with the cylinders
disconnected. If you still aren't able to get the drive down, your
driveshaft is probably rusted to the engine coupler.
Jim |
Jim
Sep 13
|
