change out drive from omc to merc

Joined
Jun 22, 2010
Messages
6
I would like to change my out drive on a 2550 pursuit from a omc cobra to mercury . will i need to total redo the transom and re cut the hole or will they inter change thanks Doug
 

180shabah

Rear Admiral
Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Messages
4,995
Re: change out drive from omc to merc

Cobras use the same cutout as an alpha. Bravos and gen2s will only need to have two additional bolt holes drilled.
 

HT32BSX115

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
10,083
Re: change out drive from omc to merc

Howdy,

I removed an 87 OMC 460 King Cobra from my 87 211 Liberator and replaced it with a 97 454 Bravo III.

As indicated, I only needed to drill 2 additional holes for the 2 additional studs in the Bravo transom.

You might want to inspect your transom for water intrusion (and possible rot) and you 'll probably need to fill the side engine mount holes with epoxy/glass mix and redrill them for the new engine but that's about as complicated as it gets.


Cheers,


Rick
 

LassePelle

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 4, 2009
Messages
34
Re: change out drive from omc to merc

Are you thinking of changing the engine and leg? if the engine is ok you could buy a conversion kit from sei and the any merc alpha 1 gen 2 will fit.

I did the conversion and it took me about 5 hours and works great :)

www.sterndrive.cc i think is the right place to look for the kit.
 

MacPointMan

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 15, 2010
Messages
114
Re: change out drive from omc to merc

This is good to know. Thanks for asking the question as I had the same one. The boat I am looking at is an 89 Bayliner Capri 1900 with a Mercruiser 3.0 130 hp motor and a OMC Cobra outdrive. Hopefully the transom checks out on her. Currently the owner has her in the shop getting a new starter installed and having them do a good mechanical once over on her.

If I buy this boat and in the event the drive fails on me I had the idea of upgrading it to a Merc.

The other question is what is the translation from the Merc 3.0 to I believe that is a Ford block. I understand that it is possible to use a regular auto motor with your recycled or new Marine accessories bolted on. Again this is just to file into that knowledge bank If and when the time comes to replace the motor and outdrive.

Should I have to change a motor I think I would go with a Vortec 4.3 motor with the Merc outdrive. I understand people get great results with that combo with both power and fuel economy.

MacPointMan
 
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