omc ????should I??

[RIDEPATE]

O.K. fellows,contemplating purchasing a boat with omc driveline. I've owned about 25 plus boats in my lifetime,always did my own work, and always bought mercruisers.<br /> What if anything do I need to be on the alert for in an OMC?? The boat is a 1987 Chaparral 225xlc w/5.0 v-8. Very clean,low-time boat(no salt, 160hrs.) and I feel like I'm stealing it for the price. <br /> Are all the OMC out drives this year Cobras?? Anything in perticular to check/lookout for other than the normal stuff (water,bellows ect.)?? Do these lowers come in different gear ratios like the mercs?? How would I tell the ratio of this one?? numbers I suppose?? Any help,tips, comments appreciated.<br /> Jimbo

 

[Bhamil]

Re: omc ????should I??

I believe the answer is yes, it's a Cobra but I need to check my shop manual. I'll get back to you soon, within 24hrs. Someone else will probably answer sooner, though, so hang in there.

 

[Lou C]

Re: omc ????should I??

I have an 88 OMC shop maual and the ratio for the 5.0 is : overall 1.50:1 (0.666)<br />upper gears: 21.17<br />lower: 14.26 the 5.7 used the same lower but with a 21.16 upper ratio. <br />Overall ratio for the 5.7 was 1.41:1 (0.709)<br /><br />The first thing is that since OMC is out of business, see if you can find a local OMC shop that can get parts for you. I have had no trouble so far getting parts. Even if you do all your own work, you may need someone who has worked on these before for certain things. Many shops won't touch OMCs but I have found a really good one that has all the special tools, service bulletins, etc. If you do buy it, get an OMC shop manual, it is the same price as the generic ones and a lot better. <br />They had a recall on the shift cables (old was black, newer is red) but any shifting stiffness needs to be checked out and fixed. Filling the drive is a little differnt than a Merc, you have to do it by the book or you will toast the upper gears. One nice thing is that the impeller is easy to change, 3 bolts removes a cover on the upper housing and there it is. Biggest thing is that an OMC boat probably will never have the resale of a Merc or Volvo, so bear that in mind.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: omc ????should I??

Normally a 1987 should have a Cobra but if they had some left over 1986 Stringers they might have dropped one in. If you can see the drive see if it has trim rams on each side similar to Mercs, if it does then it's a Cobra, the serial number off the engine will give you some info if you can post it. Everything Lou said is right especially about the manual. Here is a link to a fellow "Stuart" cobra site, info in there is meant to help not "scare"....good luck Stuarts web page

 

[Bondo]

Re: omc ????should I??

I've owned about 25 plus boats in my lifetime,always did my own work, and always bought mercruisers.

Let's See,<br /> Mercruiser Drive lines You Know All About, Parts are EveryWhere, Parts are Still being Made, Parts are Reasonably inexpensive, Service is EveryWhere, etc......<br /><br /> OMC Drive lines You Know Little or Nothing About, Parts are Drying Up, or NLA,+ Expensive....<br />Service you'll need to Beg for, IF you can Find a Mechanic that'll even talk to you about it.....<br /><br />It would be an Easy Decision for ME......

 

[Bhamil]

Re: omc ????should I??

Bondo, Bondo, Bondo, what are we going to do with you? Your "subtlety" reminds one of one of those MOAB's they used in Iraq! I wish you would just come out and say what you mean, my friend; quit this beating around the bush. By the way, OMC parts are easier to find than Studebaker ones.

 

[RIDEPATE]

Re: omc ????should I??

Bob-good info,did scare me a little tho.But didnt scare me enough to totally rule out this boat. But what Bondo said made me think a little harder. I'm gonna go relook at a couple of others I passed on because of cosmetic work,but they all had mercs..... and what's a little vinyl/carpet work compared to out-drive work?especially one I dont know much about.But again,I'm not totally ruling out the OMC just yet.When it sounds like you need an Injuneering degree to adjust a shift cable........thats a little scarey!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: omc ????should I??

I'm Truly Sorry.......... <br /><br />I've been Accused of being Brutally Honest before........ <br /><br />That,+ Common Sense, are the Only Redeeming Values I Have......

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: omc ????should I??

Unless you plan on getting burried in your boat, you will have many years of enjoyment with a Cobra drive. What you pay less now, will be what you get less in the future( same difference)...but what can I say I'm an OMC owner and I like my drive. Personnally, I've always thought the Cobra drive is a huskier looking drive than the Mercruiser.<br />Although, the drive is not made anymore, there are thousands of boats out there with OMC drives. I have a hard time believing parts are drying up and that mechanics don't want to touch them. If there are customers wanting to repair and spend dollars, there will always be someone there to meet that demand.

 

[Bhamil]

Re: omc ????should I??

Hey, Cobra, /<ool! Where can I get some Studebaker parts? Just kidding! I know Bondo was merely replying to the guy's post, and the fellow stated in his own words the mitigating factors in his decision for or against an OMC, and Bondo was just "stating the obvious", I guess you could say. As for their reliability, I have some experience with an '88 OMC on a Bayliner Trophy, and it can be stiff shifting sometimes, but that's an irritant, not a problem. I wouldn't pass up an OMC if it ran good just because they're out of production. Sierra, and others, sell parts made by someone according to OMC's original specs. So, as long as they're making money, someone will make the parts to sell, seems to me. I was having fun at Bondos' expense, that's all, kind of adding a little humor to an otherwise gloomy winter's day.

 

[Lark40]

Re: omc ????should I??

Parts aren't a problem at this time for a 1987 Cobra, and repair shops are available in larger cities, but future resale value will probably be lower than for a Merc or Volvo.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: omc ????should I??

Ben, I wasn't trying to come off "bent out of shape" or anything...<br /><br />I just keep hearing (on this site) how OMC may become a problem in the future and I'm thinking "Yeah, when I'm a real old man... maybe!"

 

[Bhamil]

Re: omc ????should I??

Cobra; I'm just a jokester, sometimes even I don't know when I'm serious. You can still buy Type I VW parts, Willy's, Studebaker, Model "T's" and so on. As long as there's a market, someone will make parts. I'm with you, I'll be long gone before OMC parts become scarce. I live at the beach in Virginia, OMC is very popular, and any mechanic who chooses not to wotk on them will cut themselves out of a lot of work unnecessarily. What I'm saying is, if you want an OMC and there is no local (intrinsic) reason to do so, don't let the fact that they're out of production stop you from buying one. It will only be used, not new.

 

[jeremyp111]

Re: omc ????should I??

I had an OMC Cobra for 4 years and had no problems with it at all. All good advice from above. If I were you I would just make sure that if you do buy an OMC powered boat you take the time to find a local dealer who can support you. Where I live I have a very good OMC dealer so that would ease my mind. You are obviously getting a very good price because it is powered by OMC. That will also hurt the resale value when you go to sell it in the future.<br /><br />Also, keep one thing in mind. If you ever have to replace the drive, you can swap in a Volvo SX pretty easily. Volvos make a conversion kit that sells for about $900 plus the cost of the drive. I looked into this myself last year because one of the boats I looked at had Cobra drives. I would have bought the boat if the survey didn't show the resst of the boat to be a POS. Looked great, really wasn't. OMC power didn't scare me away.<br /><br />Good luck,

 

[RIDEPATE]

Re: omc ????should I??

OK I got talked out of it............ ,Bought a merc-5.7 alpha uno. A boat which honestly I'd never looked at until today,and man I'm really glad!!! <br /> I was just ment to be I guess. Took the dogs to the vet today and thar she was 87 Chaparral villian II 19", crawl-in cuddy,thru-hull, the works,exactly what I've been looking for in someones yard with a sign on it.<br /> Mechanically in great condition,needs a little buffing and de-chalking,some minor vinyl, but otherwise a sweet boat. Appreciate the wise words from all,but I gotta go with what I know!!!Jimbo

 

[Bondo]

Re: omc ????should I??

Great... Congrats.....<br />A bud once had a Chap. Villan..... Real Nice Boat....<br />Don't remember the year... had a 454 in front of an Alpha...... That was his only Problem....<br />He's since moved up a couple times....<br />He's Now in a Checkmate... 30'er...