Life of an OMC repower

[Salty Sal]

I've learned a great deal on this forum and have replied to my fellow boatsman on matters in which I have some knowledge of their problem. I've just repowered (new powerhead) a 1985 140 Rude VRO. One particular post had a link that sent you to a companies web site that repowers/ manufactures powerheads. They hint that their method is somewhat above others, and that the average rebuild (from another supplier) can sometimes only last 100 hours! This is somewhat disheartening to hear because I've sank some hefty money into this engine. How true is this claim? Thanks for your replies

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Life of an OMC repower

Rediculous! If it was done in the proper manner, you will get many hours more than 100 out of it. It's hard to tell the lifespan of any engine. But, with proper maintence and care, it should go for many years. As for hours, there are many engines that have over 1000 hours on them and are still going strong. I have a 91' 70 HP rude and I boat at least 100 hours a year. Runs perfect and never had any problems other than maintenence. Figure that one out.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Life of an OMC repower

I know the post you are referring to, I thought this would raise a lot of doubt in some people's mind's as to there rebuilds. That machinery is guite imposing, as are their claims. It takes more than a CNC machine to do accurate work, it takes a skilled, experienced operater, such as a trained machinest. A rebore on a block, or for that matter, a bore in any precision part, has to be round, and straight. Who do they hire to run this equipment? The young man that can't make change at K-Mart. These finished parts have to be measured. Micrometers, vernier scales, tool grinding, that is all baffling to most people today. They were making round, straight holes before CNC, they still do, with precision.

 

[Salty Sal]

Re: Life of an OMC repower

Thanks... is that a relief

 

[Solittle]

Re: Life of an OMC repower

Unfortunately quality and price do not always go together. An outboard, rebuilt to factory specs, should last just as long as a new one fresh out of the box. <br /><br />Unfortunately many make the decision on price alone and get exactly what they pay for. We get a few of them posting here. They typically start out with "I just got my engine rebuilt and now it --- -- -- what could be my problem?"

 

[kenneths]

Re: Life of an OMC repower

I had a 1977 115 Jonny I sold last year, That I rebuilt years ago, and I used it about 400-500 a year for 6 years, and it's still runnin' strong.<br />The engine is down the block-I still do the maintenance, and before we winterized it last month, I ran a comp check while I had the old plugs out and all 4 were at least 105, the highest, just over 110lbs.<br /> Kinda blows the 100hr therory to heck...BTW, I also read the link on the "powerheads & complete engines", and can't help but laugh at that figure in the terms they put it.......

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Life of an OMC repower

When it comes to precision work, Quality does not always come with a high price tag. I do repair work with another man who is also retired from his maintainance job, but has many years experience as an OMC machanic. We send are blocks to a local man that works alone out of his garage. That man has soom of the finest machines I have seen in any shop. That man is so fussy, you could do surgery in that shop, and his work shows it. I have a fair shop with 3 lathes, milling machine, drill press, grinders, bench center, , and most of the tooling, and assessories to go with them. I have the tools, and ability to check his work, but don't even bother anymore. This man has been building 2 strokes for years, and knows his way around them. If he was'nt local. I would want a shop like Rodbolt has found, even though it would mean shipping them out. Sounds like he has found a good shop also, and sticks with them. We are just lucky to have someone local, and is very reasonable price wise. I know other guy's that claim to machinst by trade who I would'nt let put a handle on a outhouse door.

 

[JB]

Re: Life of an OMC repower

Hi, Sal.<br /><br />I make it a practice to avoid doing business with any business that knocks its competition.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Life of an OMC repower

JB: Who do you feel is knocking who?

 

[kenneths]

Re: Life of an OMC repower

R.Johnson, I think JB is talking of the "people" (the link in question) that say "anything but their O/H" will only last 100 or so hours.....Am I reading you correct, JB????<br />Walleyehed

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Life of an OMC repower

I believe this is the link in question..........<br /> http://1outboard.com/Powerheads.htm

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Life of an OMC repower

hello<br /> I just checked out that link. wow!!I have been doing it all wrong for 30 years. I programmed and set up CNC lathes and mills for 6 years at GOEX explosives in cleburne TX. I also did tech schools for crank grinding valve work and block boring. the finnish for the OMC and Yammi is the same 45 or 60 degree call out as automotive. the big gigger is radius on the ports. some motors are critical. too big of a radius and the rings fall into the port and, whack!!. not enough radius and the rings snag on the sharp edge and, whack!!!. either way you cannot program a machine to do it right. you would not belive some of the junk rebuilds I have seen over the years. everything from a good job but they neglected to wash the grinding dust off the crank to rusty bolt Bob and a can of crylon. most rebuilders dont keep the parts clean enough.I did a motor down south last summer under a tin roofed leanto. down south is Rio Chico venezuela. no walls and the other tech spoke no english and I speak no spanish but the motor turned out nice. so my motto is use new parts where possible always use new rodbolts and bottom ball bearings and above all keep the parts clean.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[JB]

Re: Life of an OMC repower

KennyS, KennyB, Walleyehed.<br /><br />You got it. Exactly.

 

[willxuout2]

Re: Life of an OMC repower

I never heard such nonsense. I had my 1996 225hp Evinrude Ocean Pro rebuilt about six months ago and have about 50 hours on it. The engine runs great. I purchased the reman PH with a one year warranty that covers any failure inside the PH that wasn't the result of carb or detonation. The factory PH come with the SAME warranty. Nobody will warranty neglect. Anyway, the place was in Orlando, FL and is called EJB Marine (www.boatpartsused.com) They've been reman PH for about ten years now. The guys there were very helpful and seemed to know what they were talking about. I was a little leary about investing $2700 in a reman PH from a company I knew nothing about...but I said "what the H"...these guys sounded professional on the phone so I went for it. Well, when I received the reman PH I was impressed (so was my apprehensive mech)They did a great job! (all of this took place before I knew about iboats.com - there are several company's on this site that offer GREAT warranties and are not much more then I paid. If I would have seen this website first I sure I would have bought my reman PH here. This website wouldn't be in business if it sold junk.)<br /><br />I asked them how many hours I could expect out of the reman PH....they didn't want to speculate other than to say that if break it in right and you maintained the engine like your supposed to it should last just as long as a new factory PH. At the rate I'm going I'll have about 100 hours on the PH when my one year warranty is up. If I can get 500-700 hours on the reman I'll consider it worth the $2700 rebuild. (5-7years) <br /><br />You have to admit though, there are companies out there to do Sh!#$%#$% work and you may only get 100 hours out of their rebuild.

 

[NEECAPRS]

Re: Life of an OMC repower

There was one outfit that had a claim like that because no one else was using their diamond honing procedure. There's almost some credibility to that because rigid honing technology has improved so much in the last two decades.<br />However, their sales pitch/strategy puzzled me when they advertised a drive-through rebuild service: In by 9:00, out by 5:00.<br />Is this the outfit you're talking about?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Life of an OMC repower

That honing process has been around for years and several rebuilders and remanufacturers have been using it for quite a while now. They should not say they are the only ones using it -- they just don't know anyone who is.