Convert OMC 190 from I/O to Inboard?

[76Raven200]

The title probably exposes my relative inexperience in the marine power arena, but we all have to start some where. I'm contemplating taking on boat building as a new type of woodworking project (furniture and timber frames are currently under my belt). Might it be possible to take this OMC/Ford 302 and couple a transmission to it, thus converting it to an inboard motor for a runabout? Or is this a pipe dream? Hate to abandon a relatively tight engine that I have on hand.

Thanks in advance for the candid feedback!
JPM

 

[JustJason]

Re: Convert OMC 190 from I/O to Inboard?

anything is possible if you have the skill and throw enough money at it.....
However.... If your going to do all that work.... I would not use an OMC engine, Or I would at least change over all the OMC parts to merc or volvo. Probably be easier and cheaper to find a complete donor block though.

 

[mkast]

Re: Convert OMC 190 from I/O to Inboard?

Might it be possible to take this OMC/Ford 302 and couple a transmission to it, thus converting it to an inboard motor for a runabout?

Might I ask why you want to do this?

 

[76Raven200]

Re: Convert OMC 190 from I/O to Inboard?

mkask: all questions welcome

A two part answer...

First off, from the perspective of my personal habbits: Simply put... I'm tight... not cheap, but "don't throw that away, we might need it some day"... squeeze the buffalo nickel 'till he poops... The flip side of my recreational habbits would be "buy the best and you only cry once".

Secondly, I have the motor w/ no money spent on it, it runs, and I'm kanoodeling with the notion of building a wooden boat. Just thinking through my options.

Just as an aside (oh dear, here come the anchor comments) It has the electric shift outdrive that was working when it was last afloat in 2002.

Thanks again to all for the feedback.
JPM

 

[J. Mark]

Re: Convert OMC 190 from I/O to Inboard?

Sounds like he is going to build a boat from scratch and wants to build an inboard design.

The proper transmission is a Borg Warner Velvet Drive and new units are about 2500.00 bucks.

As far as your engine is concerned-you can do it . . . but you may want to search for a donor boat that has a running driveline and needs an interior and maybe floor and stringers. You should be abe able to pick one up with a suitable trailer for your project boat and get it fairly cheap.

I'm doing the same thing, but first I am going to rebuild the donor boat and get it running and outfitted the way I want in order to see if I can develop some of my fiberglassing skills and also to see if I can stick to a project long enough to undertake building a boat from scratch.

Good luck

 

[76Raven200]

Re: Convert OMC 190 from I/O to Inboard?

JMark:

You hit the nail on the head... The engine is in a 1976 Century Raven 200 (hence the name I log-in under). It's a 19' runabout that has floor rot / blistering gel coat / electric shift switch / and other misc issues. I'm on the fence as to whether or not to fix-up this hull or build a new wooden boat. I am comfortable with my woodworking experience and am looking for a "new challenge". Luckily, the father-in-law is a mechanic w/ boating tendencies and his cousin has had a boat repair / service shop over 25 years. Fiberglass and foam would be a brave new world, but I consider it an interesting challenge just the same. I'll post pictures later w/in a day or so.


JPM

 

[QC]

Re: Convert OMC 190 from I/O to Inboard?

The electric shift stuff will be worth something on eBay too . . . too bad your control switch is dead, those bring in a tidy sum all by themselves . .

BTW, welcome aboard!

 

[mkast]

Re: Convert OMC 190 from I/O to Inboard?

Between you and me and the fence post, I'd replace the floor and if need be, the transom. Materials cost less than buying another hull.
You have at your disposal, a mechanic and wood guy, use them.

 

[Don S]

Re: Convert OMC 190 from I/O to Inboard?

The boat isn't designed or balanced for an inboard. With all the engine weight going forward far enough to make the shaft work, then building in stringers way forward, then the shaft log, struts, props, etc. etc. you will have WAY more money into converting it that fixing what you have and selling and buying what you want.

There are Lots of tight people, problem is they don't have a clue when it's actually costing them more in the long run to be tight. And just because relatives and friends like boats, doesn't mean they know how to do what they suggest you do, and trust me, if they are anything other than marine techs, they are problably leading you down a very expensive path.

 

[76Raven200]

Re: Convert OMC 190 from I/O to Inboard?

Thanks to all for the insight and discussions. The comments are most appreciated Here are some clarifications and follow-ups to your thoughts thus far.

QC:
Thanks for the welcome. I?ve been lurking / reading /searching since late July. Great collection of experiences and opinions on the boards. As for the parts on e-bay? Preach-on brother?. I have looked into replacing the electric shift switch and do wish I had a couple dozen to sell. Hope I can find a serviceable one around here if I choose to recondition the boat, but I?m not holding my breath! May opt for toggle switches in stead?


mkask:
Glad to know I?m not the only one that includes fence posts in conversations. Thought that was isolated to us farm boys ?round these parts We prefer black locust.

Wish I was up a little farther north and west than you are in WI this week grouse hunting w/ my buddies. Pretty country up there in the National Forest. New job and other responsibilities limited the available vacation time this year.

Initial observations indicate that the transom doesn?t? look all that bad, except at the bottom joint. The scary thing is that it appears to only be 3/8? thick, guess that?s b/c it?s a stringer.

Don S.:
Thanks for the candid feedback.

I have no intention of modifying the 30+ y.o. fiberglass vessel from I/O to Inboard. If I do proceed w/ reconditioning, it will be in its current configuration w/ the electric shift. That decision is dependant on finding out if the drive unit is still in working order.

This question was posted in the context of, if I build a wooden boat around a power plant of this size and weight, can it be converted from I/O to inboard. You could say I?m taking a reverse Socratic Method approach to promote discussion. Of course, whether through forums or face to face, all opinions are appreciated, yet taken w/ a grain of salt.


All:
Pictures w/ annotation have been posted in a new thread in the Boat Restoration forum. Here?s the link to the webalbum that I shared in that forum.

Best Regards,
JPM