190 hp OMC engine

p8ntmom

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Joined
Oct 19, 2009
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3
We just bought an older arrow glass boat with a 190 hp OMC engine in it. This is our first boat so we know very little. What is the difference in the 190 OMC and the 302 Ford V8 motor. Can they be interchanged? Also can you install a car 302 engine in its place? Thanks so much for any info.
 

WizeOne

Commander
Joined
Mar 23, 2008
Messages
2,097
Re: 190 hp OMC engine

What's wrong with the motor that is in it now? The 190 hp OMC motor is a 302 with a marine cam (w/351 firing order) and 351w cylinder heads. It also has brass freeze plugs and marine specific head gaskets. Otherwize they are generally the same.
 

p8ntmom

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Joined
Oct 19, 2009
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3
Re: 190 hp OMC engine

Thanks so much for the info. We have just started working on the boat and will probably have more questions to come. We bought the boat as is and we dont know if the engine is any good or not. It ran the last time they had it in the water but it has sat for a long period of time. We are going to try and start it up and see if it will even turn over or not. Do you know where overhaul kits can be purchased for these engines and can they be bored for more hp? Or are you better off to switch out the motor for a 351 or 302? Were these good motors in their day? thanks so much!
 

zbnutcase

Commander
Joined
Sep 19, 2009
Messages
2,055
Re: 190 hp OMC engine

The OMC 190 IS a 302; still a great engine, lots of HP parts available. However, they do lack a lot of low end torque and are best in 18-21ft boats; if the boat is bigger I would consider a 351W swap, especially if you need a rebuild or find cracked block, ect. 'nutcase
 

frank246

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 18, 2009
Messages
293
Re: 190 hp OMC engine

The 302-190 will hop up to ~225hp with a dual plenum intake manifold and 4 bbl 500/600 cfm vac sec. carb in combination with electronic (pointless) ignition.
 

dieselboy86

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 27, 2009
Messages
45
Re: 190 hp OMC engine

I have the omc 190 which is a ford 302. the question is my carb has no vacume advance, so if i got a hei distrbutor and a edlbrock intake with 4 barrle carb w/ vacume secondary's it would bump the power. How do you choose what intake to get some say idle to 5000 and some say 1500 to 6000 rpms. I dont know if i explained my question very well.:confused:
 

WizeOne

Commander
Joined
Mar 23, 2008
Messages
2,097
Re: 190 hp OMC engine

I have the omc 190 which is a ford 302. the question is my carb has no vacume advance, so if i got a hei distrbutor and a edlbrock intake with 4 barrle carb w/ vacume secondary's it would bump the power. How do you choose what intake to get some say idle to 5000 and some say 1500 to 6000 rpms. I dont know if i explained my question very well.:confused:

Choose the idle to 5000. Your motor and outdrive are no good after 5k rpm and you want the torque curve from idle up thru midrange anyway.

In choosing a new distrib, first it had better be a marine distrib and you'll want to make sure it can be adjusted to the advance curve your 190 wants. There is a curve graph in, at least, the seloc manual and probably the OEM manual as well. The easier option is to get a Pertronix II ignitor for your centrifugal advance Presolite distrib.

Lastly, you should really start your own post on this.
 
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