OMC I/O reliability upgrade?

Malibu223

Recruit
Joined
Dec 5, 2004
Messages
2
I own a 1978 21' Searay 200sx cuddycabin. The uppergear case is unreliable and is an OMC I/O with a 225 HP(Chevy 351) stern drive with select trim. I have recieved some feedback from some of you on upgrade options which I appreciate. I was wondering if there is a mod I can do to upgrade the I/O to a more reliable unit such as a penta volvo or...?
 

Boatist

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2002
Messages
4,552
Re: OMC I/O reliability upgrade?

You can do it for about $10,000.00 or maybe a little less if the engine it self is in great shape.
 

piratedude

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 18, 2004
Messages
112
Re: OMC I/O reliability upgrade?

you could put a outboard on the stern. sell your motor- $500? and then buy a used 150 hp outboard and fabricate plates on your transom to hold it. you would have to brace the inside transom to the stringers...
 

WillyBWright

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 29, 2003
Messages
8,200
Re: OMC I/O reliability upgrade?

On that old of a boat I wouldn't spend that much time or effort. There's a huge hole in the transom that would have to be filled and reinforced to match the strength of a non-repaired transom. Then you'd have to put in the appropriate holes for the MC or VP. That doesn't even address the wiring harness and cable differences. There's a good chance you'd even need a completely different steering system. MUCHO DINERO! I wouldn't even consider it on a boat that's going to be 30 years old before long. You'd spend far less on a newer used unit.
 

piratedude

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 18, 2004
Messages
112
Re: OMC I/O reliability upgrade?

go look in this forum for "transom templets" and this is what you need to do. find the merc templete that fits your old transom hole and buy that drive. you may have to do some minor grinding to make it fit.
 

Boatist

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2002
Messages
4,552
Re: OMC I/O reliability upgrade?

Po19jkl<br />Malibu has a hole in the transom about 18 inches in size. The OMC Stringer outdrive does not bolt to the transom at all. The outdrive bolts directly to the engine. There is no Merc anyway where close. To change over he must build a new transom. Buy all the coupler/bell houseing assy. Then with a new Template cut out the transom for a Merc outdrive. After that must Buy a complete outdrive. Really will cost over $10,000 if he get a new Merc outdrive. With all used parts may make it for under $10K. Steering gear and throttle cables unlikely to be able to be used.<br /><br />You must really like the boat to make this change and still the boat will not have much value.
 
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