New To This Old OMC

[live4thedai]

Okay Im not sure what I got myself into but Im not in to far yet. I bought a 18,1 1981 Sea Sprite with a Buick 3.8 and a OMC 800 for a few hundred dollars, with a nice easy loader trailer. The previous owner said it hasnt been ran in about 5 years but it was winterized properly. Where do I start this spring on restoring this thing Ive been reading all the scary stuff on OMCs. My basic boat knowlodge says to change all the fluids and I was figuring on the impeller, transom boot(dry rot) and checking the gimble bearing while Im at it? Throw me some good knowlodge. This is my first boat

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: New To This Old OMC

first is get a manual
yes change all fluids and filters

 

[live4thedai]

Re: New To This Old OMC

I got a manual A seloc I believe.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: New To This Old OMC

just read over that
i would do plugs, cap, rotor, plug wires
i would also pour oil down the cylinders and let it sit overnight

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: New To This Old OMC

The Seloc manual may get you by but an original OMC manual is the way to go.
You can get one on ebay,the seller is Searayman13,great guy and has a ton of oem manuals for OMC.
First off,a boat that has sit that long will need the fuel drained and fuel sytem cleaned.Probably a carb rebuild.
Drain the drive and see what the lube looks like.
Like Justintime said,pull the plugs and pour a little marvel mystery oil in the cylinders and let set a couple days.
Charge the battery and see if she turns over or better yet turn it by the harmonic balancer to see if it will move.
Parts still can be found for those drives so don't be to scared off.
Before you invest alot of money you need to know the condition of the engine,drive and if the floor or stringers are rotted.
Welcome to Iboats!
There are alot of very good people here that can help a bunch.

 

[Bondo]

Re: New To This Old OMC

Better Yet,.......

Junk the Boat,....
Part Out the Motor,+ Drive,.... The Parts will bring you some Good Money on ebay.....
Keep the Trailer,..... 'cause boats Without trailers sell Cheap,+ you'll already Have 1.....
And,.....
Take all the Profit,+ Go Buy a boat with either Volvo, or Merc Power...........

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New To This Old OMC

prime the oil pump before trying to start.

 

[THE BEEF]

Re: New To This Old OMC

Hey,
I got a 1981 800 stringer too. Not to bad to work on. If you need a manual I can copy mine, It's a OMC factory one.
Beef

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: New To This Old OMC

1981 Sea Sprite with a Buick 3.8

It's Not a Buick. That 3.8 is a 229 cubic inch Chevrolet V6.
Buick = Distributor at front of engine
Chevy = Distributor at rear of engine

 

[live4thedai]

Re: New To This Old OMC

Okay Im not sure what I got myself into but Im not in to far yet. I bought a 18,1 1981 Sea Sprite with a Buick 3.8 and a OMC 800 for a few hundred dollars, with a nice easy loader trailer. The previous owner said it hasnt been ran in about 5 years but it was winterized properly. Where do I start this spring on restoring this thing Ive been reading all the scary stuff on OMCs. My basic boat knowlodge says to change all the fluids and I was figuring on the impeller, transom boot(dry rot) and checking the gimble bearing while Im at it? Throw me some good knowlodge. This is my first boat

I found my serial number on the stern drive could someone decipher it for me 982566 then theres w268555 thanks