4.3 omc clunk noise and options, rebuild vs conversion?

[davesissom]

Hey guys, new to the post,

I have had the clunk noise and didn't have all the info I do now and the many things I have learned in the past few weeks. Bought a new to me boat 1990 seaswirl with OMC 4.3 motor and outdrive. Boat was purchased in the slip. The second time out sounded like I was hitting things in the water. Brought it home and hooked up to the muffs didn't here anything,(forward 10 min rev 10 min neutral 10 munckin) didn't here anything. Took it back out and clunk got worse, couldn't even go no wake to load the boat. I have read Hastings and have a repair manual. ( Afterwards Of Course). Mechanic says new forward and reverse gears are bad, when I dropped it off I told him prob new dog clutch and shift cable, needs new bearings too. Bearings are in spec . "almost" but why not change them. He thinks replace what is broken and every thing will work as it should. I asked about a reman. lower only and he thought it might cause problems with the upper? Any thought?
What about SEI conversions? Any reviews? It might cost a little more but will it it be a better solution in the long run?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 4.3 omc clunk noise and options, rebuild vs conversion?

all depends on your location, trust level with the mechanic you are working with, the warranty on the work and the quote for the repair. I've never heard of anyone regretting the SEI conversion, but it's very expensive for shipping where I live.

 

[davesissom]

Re: 4.3 omc clunk noise and options, rebuild vs conversion?

Thanks Howard Stern Drive,

Update from mechanic, Last night he was looking down in case with a flashlight. Today took gears out and they are ok. Relief. Still needs shift cable and dog clutch. I guess I was one of the lucky one's. Some othit should be er's bellows, anodes, water pump, it should be tip top after all this. still gonna cost though. Thanks and glad for the info I have learned from this site. Dave

 

[subcrx]

Re: 4.3 omc clunk noise and options, rebuild vs conversion?

Look into the GLM heavy duty gearset. Thats what I ended up doing. I'm starting to wonder what the life expectancy of these OMC gears are. I hear about this problem every day from different people. Might be best to wean away from OMC

 

[Levinz11]

Re: 4.3 omc clunk noise and options, rebuild vs conversion?

Look into the GLM heavy duty gearset. Thats what I ended up doing. I'm starting to wonder what the life expectancy of these OMC gears are. I hear about this problem every day from different people. Might be best to wean away from OMC

MY gears are 25 years old.