OMC questions

[jitts3]

OK, I'm new to this site. I found it looking for parts for a boat I am buying. As embarrasing as it is i'm not sure of the year. It's a 24' sea ray. The owner (of sorts) says its a 1972. Reguardless of the year this is what I know for sure. Its in excellent condition except for 1 thing...The engine and outdrive are missing. The owner aquired it from a friend (owed money) Title is still in friends name. The friend blew the engine and removed the engine and outdrive. Ran out of cash (Money problems) then soon to be ex wife sold parts (engine and drive). Boat has the large hole in the rear an old OMC settup. I'm looking for a unit to fit into the original hole. Some recomend me to have the transome replaced and go with a newer Mercruser. I am getting the boat for cheap. Not looking to spend a fortune in modifying things. I'd rather replace what was there.
When I was young my father bought a new 1986 16 ft Arrow glass powered by the 130 hp OMC. This was the last year of the stringer unit. This boat ran great for us. He sold it after 10 years of service doing practicaly no repairs, just regular winterizing and maintence. The Sea Ray I'm looking had the OMC stringer with the electric shift. Were these good units or problem plagued dogs.
Anybody have advise and or a combo ebgine, sterndrive to sell?
Steve

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: OMC questions

DO NOT!!!!!!! go with original.Old OMC is JUNK!!!!!! Regardles of the shape of the boat. Spend the money on a boat already complete.
Redoing the transom isin't that expensive.The cost to buy and maintain an old OMC you could spend the money and get a good Mercruiser or Volvo.
Believe me the parts for the old OMC are getting hard to find and not many want to work on them.Jerry

 

[mthieme]

Re: OMC questions

Welcome to iBoats.
My neighbor has a SRV240 of the same vintage. It is an extremely well built boat. Whatever you put into it will be worth it.
Refitting with OMC doesn't make sense. This project is going to hit your wallet a little bit. If this is an issue, you might search for a donor boat. A 5.7 would fit that boat nicely with an Alpha hanging off the back.
If for any reason you don't want to take this project on and are close to 21122 - pm me. (Neighbor won't get off his!)

 

[Bondo]

Re: OMC questions

Boat has the large hole in the rear an old OMC settup. I'm looking for a unit to fit into the original hole. Some recomend me to have the transome replaced and go with a newer Mercruser. I am getting the boat for cheap. Not looking to spend a fortune in modifying things. I'd rather replace what was there.

Ayuh,....

That's Great Advice,... Take it,+ Use it...

Going back together with a POS drive is Not a wise investment...

 

[mthieme]

Re: OMC questions

My 19' Ray was repowered just before I got her. Originally, it had a straight six and an OMC Stringer. It now has a 4.3 V6 and a Cobra. They "added" to the transom rather than replace it. I'll try to post some pics later. It's very well done. I don't know how they dealt with the extra thickness - it's easily 3" thick! But, there is an easier, cheaper way.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: OMC questions

The large hole from the stringer drive will need to be glassed in.The only correct way would be to rebuild the transom just not patch over the hole.
Sounds like a ton of work.
By the time you do all of that and find another engine,drive and controls you will have a ton of money invested.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: OMC questions

If your like me and have more time than money I would get started on that transom. That sea Ray sounds like it would be well worth restoring the driveline. Search the forum, I recall someone refitting the transom hole (with photos) if the transom is solid why not just plug the hole and recut the opening, if you do it right, it should be just as strong as before.

 

[jitts3]

Re: OMC questions

Found a bunch of donor boats on craigslist. I also found a bunch of sites that have professionally rebuilt sterndrives for some money, The most expensive was 4k. I do all my own work so I'm not worried about finding a mechanic. I do not want to get into rebuiding sterndrives but more than willing to tackle engines. Ive done plenty of those for automotive uses. I'm still not fully convinced to get a different power plant yet. I need a full combonation, changing to somthing other than OMC just adds to the cost. As I said before Dad had an OMC for years and NEVER had trouble. I'm just wondering now if the older electric shift is ok or is the "cable shift" the better way to go. Both will fit.

 

[jitts3]

Re: OMC questions

Oh Im in North Eastern PA.

 

[Bondo]

Re: OMC questions

I need a full combonation, changing to somthing other than OMC just adds to the cost.

Ayuh,...

By the time you buy a 20+ year old Stringer,.. Then Rebuild it...

It'll be Cheaper in both the short run,+ the long haul to go with Anything but the Stringer drive...

And,...
Yes,...
The Electric Shifts are the absolute Worst of the Worst....

 

[jitts3]

Re: OMC questions

I know at only 31 years old I'm a bit old school. Heck I drive a 75 f-250. I don't want to sound rude but why does it appear that most people are anti OMC. Now I understand that they are no longer around, but with that in mind I still can cet brakes for my 55 Cadillac. The only thing I can find that is based in Logic is the electric shift problems. They get stuck in gear if they fill with water. I'm considering using a newer Cable Shift like the one my dad had. He NEVER had problems with it. So with that in mind I don't understand why everybody is Anti OMC. I look online and find used units and Rebuilt ones.
Basicly other than the obsolite part. whats so bad about them. I seem to get more opinions based on an ideas rather than facts. You know the "Ford vs Chevy" thing.
Long story short I cant afford to buy a rebuilt engine and a rebuilt outdrive, then add another 2k in transom rebuilding. Used equipment is still used equipment, no matter who makes it. Its easy to call OMC a POS, what I want to know is why?
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the feedback, But I'm looking for specifics. My buddy says always buy Ford. Never gives reasons. I have both, they both have there troubles.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: OMC questions

The stringer drives are so obsolete,Parts are scarce and very costly.
The Cobra drives are still fairly easy to find parts for but that would call for a transom rebuild anyway.
The transom should not cost no where near what you think to rebuild.Just time and labor is the main thing.
Find a donar boat with a good Merc or Volvo and you won't be sorry.
The stringers were good drives in their day but that was 30 years ago...
My bet is a boat of that vintage already needs some transom work anyway.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: OMC questions

The way I look at it is, I can scarf up all that junk OMC stuff nobody wants for a song and use it to keep mine going for a long time, yet still I find the OMC parts guys want an arm and a leg for the stuff, go figure.

 

[Bondo]

Re: OMC questions

The only thing I can find that is based in Logic

Ayuh,.... Logic,..??

At this point,.. You have a Hull.....

You have to buy on the used market, a COMPLETE Driveline....
You find a used boat with an out of production driveline from a company that's no longer in business...
The Only Reason you're buying it Cheap,.. Is because it Already has Problems,...
Sooo,...
You have to gut the donor boat. rebuilt the driveline, provided the parts you happen to need Are available, as some are NLA,...
Then shoehorn it into your Hull....

Total Expence,... Probably More than an old running boat with an old Mercruiser...

Or,.........
You find yourself an insurance claimed boat, or other boat with other problems, than it's driveline...
We'll say it's Merc. powered, just because I'm a Merc. guy...
For a couple hundred bucks worth of Epoxy, fabric,+ plywood,... You close in the hole...
From the donor boat, you rob the entrie driveline,+ cut-out from the hull...
When you're closing in the hole, you use the fiberglass part from the donor to build the New 1...
Bolt in the driveline,+ Go Boating...
Knowing that you have a Newer updated driveline, that if broken, parts,+ Help is available at Any Marina...

That's just Common Sense....

 

[jitts3]

Re: OMC questions

OK, got that. I just found a rebuild engine and drive with 100 hours on it. Nice price. Now the next question. The boat is a 24 ft 70s deep v Sea Ray. The unit is a long shaft. The short shaft was used for what application. Is this the stern drive that came orig with the boat. I was told that the short shaft was for the tri hull or flat bottom, pontoons. Is that the case?
I respect all your opinions but bear in mind I am the type of guy that can do anything mechanically. I alwasy say I can do anything you want to a car, just don't ask me to pull a dent or paint. To patch the hole in the transom is for sombody else to do. I wouldn't trust my work. The OMC pushes on the engine, the merc pushes on the transom, or so i'm told. My luck Id hit WOT and the engine and drive would go accross the lake and leave me sinking and swimming back. That is if I do the glass work.
Now I just need to know if the OMC long shaft I what came with the 70's deep v Sea ray?
Steve

 

[chiefalen]

Re: OMC questions

yes

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: OMC questions

I think we OMC guys are gonna be like AMC guys...we repair and enjoy our old machinery that's no longer produced, and while things can be difficult sometimes and engineering might not have been the best even when new, they still get the job done and we have fun.

Would you rather have a classic Mustang (Mercruiser?), Camaro (Volvo Penta?), or an AMX? (OMC )

Nothing's wrong with being different

 

[chiefalen]

Re: OMC questions

F14 yep we do have it good, why let it out, keep it our secret.

But the electric shift long one he has is a nightmare.

If he can find someway to switch to what we have he will be ok.

 

[THE BEEF]

Re: OMC questions

Chief
I called you back in the end of NOV. I had to work fire watch and got bored
so I fired up the copier and printed 2 manuels. PM me your address and I'll fire one off to you,if you want it.
Beef

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: OMC questions

The older OMC was poorly designed and built.OMC is just not a good way to go.
It shouldn't cost anywhere near 2k to re-do the transom.
Look around in the area where you live.Ther are lots of boat setting that could be bought cheap. I have bought used boats with a good Mercriser motor and drive for as little as 300$. I salvaged boats and sold the parts.
Most cases the interior was shot but the drive gear was still servicable.
They performed a test years ago.They hooked up 3 motors a Volvo and a Mercruiser and an OMC. The OMC drive broke after 48 hours.The Mercruiser broke after 250hrs The Volvo was shut down after 2000hrs it had absolutly no signs of wear when dissasembled.
OMC is JUNK!!! Jerry