OMC Part Fabrication

[mckellarm]

My 1988 19.5' Sunbird Corsica (4.3 V6 Chevy) has developed an oil leak in the dipstick tube just above the nut where it assembles to the oil pan.<br /><br />It's a slow leak that seeps out fast enough to make a nice mess in the bilge and driveway in a weeks time.<br /><br />My boat mechanic looked up the part (OMC #985599 Tube Assembly) and said it's no longer available. He suggested the following: 1. remove the assembly and patch it or, 2. remove the assembly and fabricate a new one from an automotive brake line.<br /><br />I was hoping someone here might be able to offer some advice or alternatives, or even have a part on-hand that I can purchase.<br /><br />I love this boat but I've noticed that with OMC parts becoming harder to find that I might be better off selling this one and getting something with a merc in it.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC Part Fabrication

That would be a pretty easy part to duplicate. It most likely just rusted thru due to lack of adequate coating. It is probably just 3/8" tubing with a flair end and a standard brass nut which you can reuse. The only difficult part would be to get the bracket spot welded onto the new tube. Anyone who makes up brake lines could make you one up. Might even get it made out of stainless tubing.

 

[rabidfish]

Re: OMC Part Fabrication

Try this part # 985989 <br />It's $77.58 and still available

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC Part Fabrication

Originally posted by Rabidfish:<br /> Try this part # 985989 <br />It's $77.58 and still available

Whew! I'd say that is about 67 good reasons for Sunbird to try to fab it.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: OMC Part Fabrication

$77.58--WOW!!!!<br /><br />You could MAIL the old one to me I could MAIL the fabbed one back and would probably STILL be under $10.

 

[rabidfish]

Re: OMC Part Fabrication

The point is: There's no shortage of OMC parts...<br />Only a shortage of people that know how to get them.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: OMC Part Fabrication

How does the tube look in general? For over $75 for a replacement (& if it was in generally decent condition), I'd be awfully tempted to see if a $5 package of JB Weld would do the trick. Isn't this the sort of thing something like JB Weld is ideal for? (i.e., very little stress on the repair)

 

[Lou C]

Re: OMC Part Fabrication

Don't want to risk the leak getting worse, then dumping some significant amt of oil in the bilge, and toast the motor. Replace it! The boat is 17 years old, it does not owe you anything!

 

[mckellarm]

Re: OMC Part Fabrication

Thanks for all the help and advice. I was able to work on the problem last Friday and fabricate a new part.<br /><br />I didn't have one of those fancy oil pumps so I had to drain the oil from underneath the engine. That was fun. I was about a quart and a half low. Anyhow, I removed the dipstick tube and it was definitely corroded through. The leak must have occurred from vibration while trailering over the 4th of July weekend.<br /><br />Using 3/8" brake line I was able to fashion a new part and replace it-- No leaks! I pickup some JB Weld to use in case I couldn't fab the part but I think that would have just postponed the inevitable.<br /><br />Thanks to all of you I was able to take it out on Saturday and have a nice time with my family on Lake Geneva.