is OMC really that bad?

[Don S]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

I don't know what everyone is getting so fired up about, go back up and read my first reply to the original poster. (#3 in this 60+ post thread).
Never once did I say that OMC drives (in general) were all pure junk from the get go. What I did say was they were out of buisness and techs and OEM parts are getting scarce. and that aftermarket parts were available in most cases.
The problem is, is that all you OMC owners have your chests all puffed out getting all pissy about the truth, which is this.
OMC is out of buisness since 98. OEM parts are getting harder to find, Techs that can properly rebuild the drive are getting harder to find, no one makes those intermediate housings that are corroding away, and yes a shift cable is VERY expensive. So what the hey did I say that was so wrong?????????

 

[GiMLit]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

I love my old 82, 83, 84 slash GLM slash OMC Stringer 800. It's a hybrid for sure, because I bought a cheap piece of junk, then had to learn everything about it. Memorized it and built it and rebuilt in the daytime then dreamt about it in my sleep. A lot of the info I read was just plain BS. Like "cables stretch" which you will find on this site in re the mechanical shift issues...they don't strectch...they break...but they dont stretch...

Anyway, pound for pound OMC 800 stringers are faster, quicker on the turn, and flat racier than Mercruisers of similar era. OMC built an outdrive the way Porsche builds cars not the way Ford does.

I love the fact that people hate on OMC stringers. Sometimes people flat give them away, having no idea what they have. Watching Ebay I have about three full outdrives in parts - shift cables included - all for under a grand. Parts are plentiful - don't buy the hype. Mechanics are not.

I can't speak for the pre 79/80/81 - 800 Stringers, but from about that point on until they went bankrupt, the outdrives pure animals. The bashing comes from folks unwilling to take the time to learn how they work.

I so agree!!!!
I bought a project boat. Why ???? $$$$ It happens to be an OMC and I am likely not parting with it.
As so many state this is not a hobby that you enter and exit with the same $ in pocket. What hobby is? If you can work on it yourself and like looking for deals an OMC in the mechanical shift variety is an option in my opinion a good one. The best???? well you will only know for sure a ways down the road. A Merc, Volvo or an OMC none are different in this way at all time will tell.

If you can't work on it you should not be asking on a forum what to buy. You need to find a place with a great reputation and ask them what you can buy for the $ you have after all it is them you need to trust now and later.

I have bought a couple boats since getting mine in various state of repair/disrepair and have a few spares of everything I really could ever realistically need. Used parts you say??? well I prefer inexpensive used in excellent condition than aftermarket anything.
For how much??? nothing! Sold the trailers and I have parts for nothing other than a day of disassembly time.

It all comes down to what you want and what you can get. Mercruiser stuff is plentiful, yes. Can get parts easy off the shelf, yes. They are also made up of many more moving (angles etc) parts than an OMC Stringer which commonly need attention specially on older used boats, yes.
The Ball gear gets a bad rap. It is a bullet proof design with 1 limitation. You can't tilt up as a OMC Cobra, Merc, Volvo etc... design.
I could have used this ability a couple times. The one time I NEEDED IT. I tilted up the drive and listened to my ball gears chew up a bit, looked at them later and no noticeable wear damage. It was one time because I was an idiot and put myself in a crappy situation and I wanted/needed a way out. One huge hole in hull or a bit of noise and if done for many hours at crazy angles a set of gears changed in no time at all.

 

[MRS]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

Misery loves company.
.
If you can fix the drive and all the OMC stuff yourself. then you will have problems.
Why BUY that problem to begin with.
If you can't fix the drive, and there aren't any techs around to fix them. Well, you are just flat stuck with buying used junk off the internet.
Why put yourself in that position to begin with.

This is why if you do not like them fine but do not try to make the one's that like them feel like morons I really do love the hull motor and outdrive that I have now. I do all my work on it and will probably be dead before my omc cobra is. I know you have forgot more than I will ever know and I respect your experiance but not your remarks. P.S. I have no hard feels for anyone on this forum and will always seek your advice when you offer it.

 

[GiMLit]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

This is why if you do not like them fine but do not try to make the one's that like them feel like morons I really do love the hull motor and outdrive that I have now. I do all my work on it and will probably be dead before my omc cobra is. I know you have forgot more than I will ever know and I respect your experiance but not your remarks. P.S. I have no hard feels for anyone on this forum and will always seek your advice when you offer it.

Great post. These are all opinions. As soon as anyone starts to sling crap it is no longer opinion.
Don S I respect what you say but I will say many more experienced members can be quite critical of anything OMC have your opinion and be done with it.
my opinion.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

This is why if you do not like them fine but do not try to make the one's that like them feel like morons ....snip

Um,

I don't think ANY of us that have suggested that at all, to anyone who already HAS an OMC engine/drive.

I can say that most of us here are usually more interested in helping someone with an OMC (if they already pulled the trigger on buying it) instead of dogging them for buying it.

However, I think most will agree that when ASKED if someone SHOULD BUY ONE, we usually suggest that they avoid it...., for all the reasons mentioned previously.



I had a 460 King Cobra. I cannot do much for the few of you out there that still have them......but if you have a problem and I can help in some way, I will. And I won't dog you for having it!!

BUT...... I will do everything I can to prevent someone else from buying one! ESPECIALLY IF THEY ASK!!

 

[parrisw]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

The thing is, the guys keep saying parts are hard to get or you can't get it. From my experience and reading on here, most people haven't experienced that yet?? So why??? I don't know. So until I experience problems getting parts, or problems with my drive, I'm not worried about it at all. We've had 20 years trouble free service from it, and its from 1976 I think, and its still going strong, and its been in salt water its whole life, that to me doesn't spell BAD!!!!!!!!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

I have had both the stringer and the Cobra. I have had some issue getting some parts. One reason why OMC was not an option when I looked for another boat.

 

[jkgregg]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

I have found new manifold kits - 2x risers, 2x manifolds and 2x gaskets for around $400 for SBCs. What kind of engine needs a $1600 manifold? An exhaust manifold is a wear item if you go out into the ocean.

I don't think your problem has to do with it being an OMC. I think the previous owner just didn't take care of it. I've seen quite a few of cracked blocks around Wichita. It got pretty close to 0? the last two or three winters.

trust me, i have looked around. people have used them all up here in the states. you can order one from australia and one from canada all fabricated and cost more than we pay for 2.3L OMC boat. i fortunately found an awesome welder that fixed my cracked manifold, for the time being. however, i am going to reapolster the interior and sell. i am not going to have a boat that i can only find used parts for.