Is OMC good??

[Dakota47]

Re: Is OMC good??

I would rather have my OMC Cobra 4.3 the a Merc 470

 

[superbenk]

Re: Is OMC good??

You know midnight auto ?? late night thieves stealing your outdrive or engine..

I had a feeling that's what it meant - was hoping I was wrong. face indeed.

 

[Wingnutt]

Re: Is OMC good??

Wow, I must either be extremely lucky or something because I haven't had the first real problem out of my '88 OMC stern drive in the three years that I've owned it. I replaced the shift cable and adjusted it as per the web site that john744 referenced when I got the boat. Also when I got the boat the ESA was out of adjustment, but that was easily corrected.

Despite what I've heard, I've never had a problem finding parts for mine either; now getting somebody to owrk on an OMC is another matter. Common replacement parts such as the impeller, O-ring, impeller housing, and prop shaft seals ect. are now supplied by several aftermarket manufacturers and are priced in line with Mercrusier parts. Gear sets are another can of worms altogether. They are available, just stupidly expensive for what they are (around $1000 just for the gear set). Shoot, one of the local marinas here even carries the exhaust manifolds, exhaust hoses, and "Y" pipe in stock.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Is OMC good??

Wow, I must either be extremely lucky or something because I haven't had the first real problem out of my '88 OMC stern drive in the three years that I've owned it. I replaced the shift cable and adjusted it as per the web site that john744 referenced when I got the boat. Also when I got the boat the ESA was out of adjustment, but that was easily corrected.

I don't think you were overly lucky. You did your homework and paid attention to the cable and ESA.
Need to stay on top of them for sure.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Is OMC good??

Yikes That's alot for that boat.. Since it isn't a Cobra really let it pass.. Is Cobra good? Mine has been.. Would be good to come around my tub looking for parts.. Might be looking for a doctor after.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Is OMC good??

As far as parts availablity goes, I need the hose that goes from the transom to the t-stat housing. Can't find it. NLA. So, I'll have to figure something else out. And I don't think the hose from the water pump to the engine block is available either. Just an example of how if u own a Cobra finding certain parts is getting to be a problem.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Is OMC good??

As far as parts availablity goes, I need the hose that goes from the transom to the t-stat housing. Can't find it. NLA. So, I'll have to figure something else out. And I don't think the hose from the water pump to the engine block is available either. Just an example of how if u own a Cobra finding certain parts is getting to be a problem.

I agree.. Certain stuff is NLA.. A hose.. So yank out your outdrive and engine and drop in a merc...

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Is OMC good??

like this one, which still remaiins to this day.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=221839

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Is OMC good??

Exhaust manifolds NLA..... Found a used SET for $150.. There is a couple of aftermarket ones too.. It's a pain.. Opps.. Found that hose on ebay too.. Wasn't cheap though. Like 20 bucks.. Exhaust manifolds are the parts that worry me most.. Expensive suckers..

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Is OMC good??

Thanks for all the replies!! The owner told me that it is not a Cobra so...that gives me a Final Answer!!

I wouldn't count on it. in 1987 They only came with OMC so it would have had to have been repowered. I would make sure yourself.

 

[4Winns2]

Re: Is OMC good??

I would rather have my OMC Cobra 4.3 the a Merc 470

I'm with ya on this one. My father has had his 120 hp Alpha one for over 20 years. By in large the engine and drive have been good; and we've beat the P out that boat. The work I've done on it has always been a little more difficult then the OMC. For example, I can flip an impeller on my OMC is less than a half hour; not so with the Merc.

I've had my 4.3 OMC for 5 years. Changed the lower shift cable this year and she shifts like butter; took me a while to accomplish that project. Change the lower unit oil every year and baby her, no problems. Our season here- -if you stretch it- -is only 5 months but I put close to a 100 hours on her every season. She has been good to me so far.

I'll probably flip to an SEI drive should I ever experience severe internal failure on the drive. But, for now it's smooth sailin. Bottom line? I like my OMC Cobra.

 

[sethjon]

Re: Is OMC good??

Hey! I just sold a 1992 Maxum 2100 LDC with a force 120 L Drive motor in it. I have now found a 1987 Bayliner Cierra 2150 with OMC 305 and OMC Stern Drive. They guy says it is a nice boat, runs good and taken care of. He is asking $3500 for it cash price. I can't seem to find anything bad about OMC except for my Mechanic telling me they stopped making them in 1997, and it may be difficult to find parts for if something happens. I guess what I am asking is if anyone can tell me Yay or Nay on OMC.

BTW, my mechanic said he likes them, just kinda hard to find parts for though. I don't want to run into trying to find Dinosaur parts again!

Thanks!

Bryan

Make sure the out drive is a Cobra and not King Cobra. Cobra parts are easy to get and is reliable The OMC motor is a good motor if its been taken care of. My son has a 90 and it runs great. Also, if you buy it, immediately doa service on the OD just to make sure.

 

[sethjon]

Re: Is OMC good??

Maintenance parts are one thing, but if something major breaks you are gambling with availability. Shift cables are a good example as you said. Also, gears, shafts, housings, specialty tools, etc. are what's getting expensive and difficult to find (especially new - much of it is used & of questionable quality). That's only going to get worse.

Also, like I said, if you're asking a mechanic, it inferrs you aren't entirely mechanically inclined & will depend on a mechanic for some repairs. I've not found a single shop in my area willing to even look at an OMC product anymore.

Don't know where you live but where I am I have 3 shops that work on Cobra regularly and charge reasonable prices.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Is OMC good??

I wouldn't count on it. in 1987 They only came with OMC so it would have had to have been repowered. I would make sure yourself.

Mine is a 87.. Wasn't repowered.. I think in 86 it coulda been either way..

 

[nola mike]

Re: Is OMC good??

never put much thought into this except for "avoid OMC", but...

1) seems that if it's one of the later volvo drives, parts are readily available
2) if it can be converted to a merc with the SEI kit, that might also take the risk out of it--unless you're still dependent on NLA risers/manifolds/whatever.

maybe the stringers and early king cobras are the only drives that you need to stay away from?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Is OMC good??

The problem with this thread is that it's asking "is OMC good" That's not really the concern. It should be "should I buy a boat with an OMC stern drive". This would eliminate some of the "I've had xxxx for xxxx years and never had an issue" posts. OMCs are not fully supported with parts. That is a fact. The availablity of parts and service is only going to get worse. I would not personally recommend to anyone to buy a boat with an obsolete powerplant of any kind unless they were getting it extrememly cheap and were fully prepared to have some weekends ruined due to the availability of parts/service.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Is OMC good??

For the boat that the OP is asking about, manifolds won't be an issue since its a SBC. I still wouldn't buy it. It has two strikes against it. Its an OMC and its a Bayliner during Bayliner's worst years. I had the identical boat and the exact year...I know!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Is OMC good??

Mine is a 87.. Wasn't repowered.. I think in 86 it coulda been either way..

You have an 87 Bayliner? Bayliner in 87 was only available with OMC.

 

[maxum_man]

Re: Is OMC good??

The problem with this thread is that it's asking "is OMC good" That's not really the concern. It should be "should I buy a boat with an OMC stern drive". This would eliminate some of the "I've had xxxx for xxxx years and never had an issue" posts. OMCs are not fully supported with parts. That is a fact. The availablity of parts and service is only going to get worse. I would not personally recommend to anyone to buy a boat with an obsolete powerplant of any kind unless they were getting it extrememly cheap and were fully prepared to have some weekends ruined due to the availability of parts/service.

Well put. I am not going to buy this boat anymore...I have been pointed to a couple other boats a little newer with Merc outdrives behind GM 5.7's!!

 

[4Winns2]

Re: Is OMC good??

As far as parts availablity goes, I need the hose that goes from the transom to the t-stat housing. Can't find it. NLA. So, I'll have to figure something else out. And I don't think the hose from the water pump to the engine block is available either. Just an example of how if u own a Cobra finding certain parts is getting to be a problem.

Hoses? You can find them and cut them yourself to order, so to speak. Pre-measured anything from the manufacturer that can be done with stock material (like hoses) can be done yourself, and a hell of a lot cheaper.