These questions come up every once in awhile:

What brand do I have:

Rounded upper with fin with hole DANA

Rounded upper with a chunk no hole DANA

Flat upper CHRYSLER DRIVE 90 and replacement housings

What model do I have:

Straight output shaft takes outdrive style props, SHIFT IN OUTDRIVE - MODEL 80

As above WITHOUT SHIFT IN OUTDRIVE - MODEL 81

Tapered output shaft takes inboard style prop, SHIFT IN OUTDRIVE - MODEL 90

As above WITHOUT SHIFT IN OUTDRIVE - MODEL 91

All the CHRYSLER units that I've seen were model 80 internal configuration.

In addition Model 81/91 came in 2 configurations:

R/R L/L and R/L L/R (engine/ outdrive) rotations.

There were 2 gear ratios available but unless you have a 440 its not an issue.

THE INTERNAL DIMENSIONS OF THESE CASES IS IDENTICAL AND ANY PARTS CONFIGURATION WILL FIT IN ANY CASE.

OTHER:

Clutch pump oil pressure. 300 psi +/- 25 psi. If you get a junk yard or GM replacement pump swap out the reservoir which has the heat exchanger built in and also the relief valve which has the proper spring to provide the 300 psi. Same rules apply if your boat was equipped with the Chrysler pump (rare)

They also built a model 60 but I have never seen one.

They built a few units where the bellows had a protector over it. I have only seen 2 of these.

These units were some of the toughest outdrives ever built. The reason they shift so smooth is the hydraulic clutch mechanism on the engine. If this is maintained properly these units will last forever.

COMMON PROBLEMS:

Filling with oil. These units tend to get air locked and can fool you into thinking they are full. Operate them in foreward and reverse and check. These units hold 8 quarts of oil. If you have the extended length version they hold 9 1/2. Remove a capscrew out of the top of the shift lever cover when oil comes out you have the proper level. DON'T forget to put it back. Do not overfill because expansion can force out the top seal.

Hard shifting or clunking when shifting. hydraulic clutch not working - clutch plate stuck to flywheel.

Won't go into Foreward/Reverse. Springs or cotter pins in intermediate shift link missing or broken. (sometimes called shift assist link or shift booster) Note: make sure you use stainless cotters and springs for replacements.

No drive. splines stripped off primary shaft on clutch plate end. Always use spline grease or moly when installing the outdrive.

Rattling when turning. U joint shot. Look for same size Chevy joint, a lot cheaper.

Won't stay in gear or skips. Adjustment if your lucky, if your not Nubs are worn on clutch dog and gears.

Don't tell any body but these can be tig welded up and reground. Use something that comes out to about 50 rockwell hardness and grind to a 3 degree positive rake. Look in the yellow pages for CUTTER GRINDER SERVICE to do the grinding.

Marysville Marine in Marysville Michigan is a good source for help on these units as is Marine Parts.com The other Marysville Marine locations don't know these units exist.

Marine Parts.com for parts and manuals

http://www.marineparts.com/partspages/Dana/dana1.htm

If you get in trouble I have installation information with adjustment dimentions. However it will pay you to buy a manual..

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OLD HOUSEBOATER

Edited: 04/16/2008 at 03:46:22 PM by OLD HOUSEBOATER

Dear "Old Houseboater:"

I am assisting an old friend in repairing his houseboat with Dana outdrives.  We are looking for 17x17 props to replace those that were on the boat and severely eaten away by electrolysis.   We found one locally but have had no success in finding a second one.  Any suggestions on where to look?

Thanks for any help.

Tom 

Old HB,
What oil do they use in these now?

Old HB'er,
I was curious to they oil type, because a friend has the Chrysler 318's and dana's (model 80 I believe he said) and he is complaining of difficulty shifting. It will go into gear, just not readily. I thought maybe the unit was low on oil and made the suggestion of checking that first.

90 weight. Usuually shifting problems are the result of the hydraulic clutch not working or bad cables, could also be bad springs in the booster link.

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OLD HOUSEBOATER

Edited: 12/10/2006 at 05:34:23 PM by OLD HOUSEBOATER

Gotcha.  Where can he get a manual for the Dana? The link you gave had manuals, but did not list any for the Dana. Do they have them and just don't list them?

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Riverliver

http://www.marysvillemarine.co...alog/cat_p857-858.pdf

You probably want both manuals although the parts are illistrated on the Marine Parts site and can be downloaded.

QD10731 parts

QD9761G service

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OLD HOUSEBOATER

Thank you.

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Riverliver

Hi OH'er. This was good information. My question is--is the clutch on the engine flywheel or in that clutch casing?// Paul

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lookin' for adventure and the next wild engine!

On the flywheel. standard automotive clutch operated by a hydraulic cylinder. IMOH still the gold standard.

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OLD HOUSEBOATER

I have a 70 model chevy 307 does anyone know where to get the omc h/p exhaust manifolds?

Barr's number is (866) 255-9265, Osco number (800) 762-6726, Sierra (217) 324-9400. One of those manufacturers should be able to tell you who, in your area, stocks the one you want. If this doesn't help, let us know, maybe we can dig upsome other sources.// Paul

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lookin' for adventure and the next wild engine!

Hey, Old Houseboater, what does IMOH mean?// Paul

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lookin' for adventure and the next wild engine!

In my humble opinion

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OLD HOUSEBOATER

Hey Enginetamer ,  I had the same question..... I thought it meant,"in my old houseboat".

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Riverliver

Edited: 03/09/2007 at 06:48:43 AM by jimg

  Old houseboater  I bought a 48' sea going about 2 years ago, when i bought her she shifted fine. Then I had the marina pull her and put 1 new motor and pull both out drives and put new boots on them. Had to replace u-joints on both sides and replace clutch on both. Every since they put it back in water I have had a problem shifting her. I have replaced both power stirring pumps and both booster shifting linkages.  Some times it will shift fine but i can go out and get it warmed up then I have all kinds of problems. Forward no reverse then reverse no forward on both sides. Can you walk me through the bleeding part of it? Or anything I can do to remedy this problem. I’M STUCK                                                                                                THANKS beach hog                                        PS You can e-mail me at riverriderbush@yahoo.com

Edited: 01/30/2008 at 03:01:23 PM by beachhog

Call Me.

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OLD HOUSEBOATER

Beachhog


How did you make out?

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OLD HOUSEBOATER

bump

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OLD HOUSEBOATER

Edited: 09/05/2011 at 09:01:54 PM by OLD HOUSEBOATER