OMC 1.6L Sea Drive Questions

[n44sx]

Looking for someone who has a lot of experience with or is an OMC Sea Drive expert and can provide some information and advice. I have some experience with Johnson and Mercury O/Bs but have been primarily a Yamaha O/B user/owner ? currently run a 115 Yamaha Salt Water Series engine on a 20? aluminum flats style jon boat.

I recently purchased a used 1988 18? Fiberglass Center Console boat with a 19?? OMC 1.6L Sea Drive. I like the concept of the fully enclosed transom similar to a stern drive setup. However, the engine needs considerable work.

The gear case has been trashed. The previous owner took it apart to fix it but lost parts including the gear case housing, most gears and the drive shaft. The engine turns over by hand ? the starter is frozen up from corrosion/rust. The wiring around the power head is marginal and needs to be replaced. The status of electrical and electronic components is unknown. The paint on the engine is faded and in some places worn away.

Where do I find the engine ID # or serial number so I can identify the year and model? I have looked everywhere for an ID plate but can?t find one. Is the ID # or serial # inscribed anywhere else on the engine?

I have heard rumors that the Sea Drives were not very reliable engines. Is this true? What were their major problems?

I believe this engine is somewhere between an ?84 to an ?88. It doesn?t seem like it makes much sense to spend a large amount of money (approx $5000) to repair an engine with old technology. Your comments?

What is the practicality of installing a late ?90s or early ?00 Johnson, Evinrude or Yamaha 115 ? 150 hp engine on the Sea Drive Tilt/Trim mount instead of having to install a Gil or Armstrong bracket?

Would I be able to operate the Sea Drive Tilt/Trim hydraulics with an independent switch and power? Or, does the Sea Drive T/T require interfacing with electrical/electronic units incorporated in/on the Sea Drive engine?

Any and all comments are appreciated.

Hank PTC, GA

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: OMC 1.6L Sea Drive Questions

the tilt is an integral part of the motor, you would also have to seal the hole in the transon. it is basically a Base V4 on the bracket. seal the hole, beef up the transom and go with a bracket. i would also go larger than 115.

 

[mikesea]

Re: OMC 1.6L Sea Drive Questions

I owned 2 of them.Great idea,but a big pain in the a**.Reasons are,the eng tended to be low in water,they corrected that by putting in a venturi type pump that pulled the water that got into cowl area through the tell tale with the venturi.It usually failed,owner disconnected the venturi and the cowl fllooded,causing wiring problems beyond belief,some had hydraulic steering,it weas a system that was soley for that application,parts became unattainable,the trim and tilt system also was soly for that application,the parts were big$$$ and became unattainable,I do happen to have a used ram with hoses from old eng.You have the right idea.Put a bracket on the boat and install a regular outboard.I have done many,my last one I own.Its a 23 ft.Anacapri,bought a used armstrong stainless bracket for $100 and put a 1996 225 on her.As for what you should use for power,I would stay with a 4 cylinder,a v-6 on an 18 ft.would be a rocket ship,but if I got a good deal on it,that would be my choice.Drive carefully.If you stay with OMC ,except for the newer engines like e-tec and ficht(dont go ficht)the controls are interchangeable.If you powerhead is is low hr,and in GREATshape,you can get a regular midsection and mount it,BUT,you will need a different intake due to the cable system.It sounds like your eng is about done though.You can likely pick up a decnt used OMC for less than it would cost to get your orig.eng going.When it comes to mounting the eng on a bracket,there is info on the internet to assist in the mounting,you can mount the engine higher than normally done on transom because of the setback,many outboard salvage yards have used brackets,mainly alum is used,DUSKY Marine has a fiberglass,and the older Armstrongs are stainless.The newer Alum ones add boyancy which helps in rocky seas,especially at anchor,the gearcase you have will fit many OMC v-4's,the shiftshaft is different ,another problem with the seadrive application ,with it sitting so close to water,it did sometimes allow for water to get inside the engine thru the exhust,also,the driveshaft often would become rusted inside the crankshaft due to the water getting up there,my first one blew the splines off the CRANKSHAFT,it became so badly rusted the splines stripped.Bad feeling when you eng suddenly starts screaming,then heathorn goes off,but it runs great,just no gears.Took a bit of time to figure that out.Anyway,get a bracket and different eng is my opinion,as tash said,you will need to close in a couple holes that will be covered by the new bracketgood luck,

 

[RadivS]

Re: OMC 1.6L Sea Drive Questions

Do anyone remember the differences btw these four types:

2BALCR 1.6L 1984
2BAXCR 1.6L 1984
2BBLCR 1.6L 1984
2BBXCR 1.6L 1984

 

[ezeke]

Re: OMC 1.6L Sea Drive Questions

The L models are 20", the X models are 25".

Not sure about BA v. BB, but it may distinguish between the steering modules, as some models have hydraulic steering.

 

[RadivS]

Re: OMC 1.6L Sea Drive Questions

So is L short and X long, is that what you mean ?

Being Norwegian I am sorry, but I am not all into the US boat jargong, sorry !

 

[ezeke]

Re: OMC 1.6L Sea Drive Questions

Short is 15" and the Sea Drive motor did not come that way. L is long, 20". X is Extra long, 25".

So is L short and X long, is that what you mean ?

Being Norwegian I am sorry, but I am not all into the US boat jargong, sorry !

 

[livilove]

Re: OMC 1.6L Sea Drive Questions

I have 2BBXCRA ? what year is my boat from , and is there a service manual on Pdf file some where on the nett ?

Do anyone remember the differences btw these four types:

2BALCR 1.6L 1984
2BAXCR 1.6L 1984
2BBLCR 1.6L 1984
2BBXCR 1.6L 1984

 

[keywestgobucs]

Re: OMC 1.6L Sea Drive Questions

I have 2BBXCRA ? what year is my boat from , and is there a service manual on Pdf file some where on the nett ?

i have the exact same motor its a 1984 1.6 omc or 1983 they say 115 hp but when they were made they were not rated by hp

 

[keywestgobucs]

Re: OMC 1.6L Sea Drive Questions

i have the exact same motor its a 1984 1.6 omc or 1983 they say 115 hp but when they were made they were not rated by hp

online to crowley marine for the free manual

 

[boobie]

Re: OMC 1.6L Sea Drive Questions

This is rather an old post. You may want to start a new one. Read the rules on the top of the forum.

 

[miodrag Culjak]

Is there anyone to tell me where is connection for priming hose lover carburetor Johnson 1.6L 1984

 

[miodrag Culjak]

Re: OMC 1.6L Sea Drive Questions



i have the exact same motor its a 1984 1.6 omc or 1983 they say 115 hp but when they were made they were not rated by hp

I have same engine. would you be so kind to send me picture where's connected gasoline priming line from lower carburetor. Uper carburetor priming line goes to solenoid valve.. lower one couldn't figure out?

 

[jbcurt00]

@miodrag Culjak start a topic about your questions and ask there

Closed