Free Project Boat(Pics)and Questions

[Mahoney]

I recieved this boat for free and put a little work in the ignition and am in the process of changing out the old gas and replacing the seals and water pump in the upper housing.<br /><br />I think it recieved some freeze damage since water is getting into the upper housing slowly. The engine runs like a top, but I have some questions on dissasembling the upper housing.<br /><br />I have the clymers manual for this OMC drive, however the pics and descriptions aren't spot on from what I am looking at(see pics) I would like to be able to not have to remove the entire drive from the boat but to work with it on the boat.<br /><br />From these pics does anyone have an suggestions on how to do this effectively? I have the parts coming this week(water pump repair kit and upper seal kit) I wanted to get as much info as possible before taking stuff apart.<br /> boat photos <br /><br /><br />Thanks in advance!

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Free Project Boat(Pics)and Questions

You have an OMC stringer drive.Not the best to have.Try to find a factory manual (maybe EBay).<br /><br />Because the lower gear case mounts to the housing around the upper drive,and because the upper drive holds it all onto the back of the motor (intermediate housing),I think you've got to pull the whole thing off.I've never found a way around it.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Mahoney]

Re: Free Project Boat(Pics)and Questions

Thats what I thought, probably not a big deal. The entire drive was serviced prior to storage 5 years ago and ran great for a 4-5 trips. I pulled the top housing off and could see a gear that looked brand spankin new. It was never run in the water after I noticed that water intrusion into the upper housing.

 

[neilmw]

Re: Free Project Boat(Pics)and Questions

You got this for free!! What a result, good luck with the outdrive.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Free Project Boat(Pics)and Questions

Hey Neil thats a mighty large avatar you have there.. Your boat is just like mine except I think yours must be an 18footer as mine is the 170. Same colors. I don't know about you but I love mine..

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Free Project Boat(Pics)and Questions

Take the drive off and sell it for parts, or if it works you can get very good money for it, then part out the rest of the boat and use the money to buy a different boat. Those outdrives are expensive to fix and easy to break! You paid nothing for it so you should be able to make some cash and get a similar boat with a merc for free.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Free Project Boat(Pics)and Questions

Originally posted by b.gagnon:<br /> Take the drive off and sell it for parts, or if it works you can get very good money for it, then part out the rest of the boat and use the money to buy a different boat. Those outdrives are expensive to fix and easy to break! You paid nothing for it so you should be able to make some cash and get a similar boat with a merc for free.

My thoughts Exactly...................

 

[Mahoney]

Re: Free Project Boat(Pics)and Questions

What similar Merc application would work with my 1978 GM 225 v8? The insides of this sterndrive are new, and my main goal is to just get out on the water for a season. This is my first boat and with the weather in Seattle this season its going to be a terrific boating season. I wanted to at least enjoy my efforts to get everything worked out before I go about putting parts up for sale and reinstalling a new drive assembly. This is a project best left for the winter months for me.<br /><br />But in the long run, I totally agree. In a way this has tought me a ton about Marine drives and systems, so I will come out ahead regardless. I never intended to be a boat owner who dropped the thing off at the shop and dished out $1000 everytime something sounded funny and the dealer stuck me with a bill. Like with cars, I like to know myself what is wrong so I can weigh wether or not to leave the repair up to the profesionals.

 

[tommays]

Re: Free Project Boat(Pics)and Questions

if you can get it to run with out spending big money enjoy it if it takes more than a few hundred dollars i think you get the idea that the parts cost a lot are hard to get and hard to install for a DIY<br /><br />the hole in the back of the boat is not correct for the newer drive types which is why people are recomending you look for a compleat boat with a drive package that you can still get parts and service on<br /><br />tommays

 

[Mahoney]

Re: Free Project Boat(Pics)and Questions

Right, I have not spent much money on this so far, but have definitely seen that maintaining this ongoing is going to be MUCH more expensive than upgrading, which I plan on doing. If this seal and pump kit take care of it I will be happy, both parts together only ~$100 with shipping, so no biggie.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Free Project Boat(Pics)and Questions

There is usually a reason why you get something for "free."<br /><br />I would have given you my OMC stringer back in 1979!<br /><br />Good luck. Cobalt builds an excellent hull, and you will be stepping down with any other runabout builder of boats under 24 feet, in my opinion.<br /><br />But I still have bad dreams about the day(s)that stringer drive blew up on me!!!

 

[Mahoney]

Re: Free Project Boat(Pics)and Questions

I have heard good things about those old Cobalt deep V hulls, and from all I can see with this one, other than the floor panel above the gastank, it seems to be in excellent shape. All the gears in this drive are new, so I am hoping to get some enjoyment out of it before having to consider a "what next" scenario.

 

[notinbig]

Re: Free Project Boat(Pics)and Questions

There are a lot of people with money to throw around but if your like me and like to boat an dhave a good, safe time for as little as posible get it running good and enjoy yourself. Someday we will all have large boats and pants if you know what I mean.