Purchase 4.3L OMC 2b, 18ft EbbTide Riveria

[aldwill49]

I am considering purchasing this boat. It has been primarily used for skiing. <br />This is my first boat purchase and I would appreciate any suggestions on what to check and consider prior to finalizing the purchase. <br /><br />I plan to use this for family cruising and fishing.

 

[McKenzie]

Re: Purchase 4.3L OMC 2b, 18ft EbbTide Riveria

what year is it? If its older than 93, I'd look to see if it has the red transom shift cable, check to see that the manifolds/risers are cool to the touch when running, check the color of the outdrive gear oil, and check the color of the engine oil. If either oils have water in them, move back to the classified pages.

 

[aldwill49]

Re: Purchase 4.3L OMC 2b, 18ft EbbTide Riveria

This is a 87, 180 Riveria Stern Drive. Currently it is still winterized, drain plugs and hoses are disconnected. Engine is very clean. <br />What is the purpose of the transom shift cable? Why red?<br />The oil looks clean. <br />Where do I check outdrive gear oil?

 

[Juancho]

Re: Purchase 4.3L OMC 2b, 18ft EbbTide Riveria

I personally would never buy a boat with an OMC I/O no matter how good of shape it was in. I have read far too many horror stories about OMC, and I have learned to steer clear. <br />Compare the number of threads regarding OMC and Volvo Penta in this forum. That right there should tell you something. Also, OMC was sold off the Volvo about 7 years ago, so finding spares will become more and more difficult as time goes by. <br />Mercruiser is the exception, because there are twice as many Mercruiser I/O out there than Volvo or OMC combined. Mercruiser is an excellent I/O, but there are so many out there, that you see a lot of threads for them in this forum.

 

[McKenzie]

Re: Purchase 4.3L OMC 2b, 18ft EbbTide Riveria

I don't share Juancho's philosophy on OMC. OMC is a perfectly fine sterndrive company. Parts are available, there are numberous aftermarket companies that still produce its parts. You can occasionally find factory parts too. Some volvo parts will fit your OMC as volvo incorparated some of OMC's designs when they bought it. The reason OMC has such a bad reputation is it had a design flaw in its shift system. The transom shift cable was at fault and needed redesigned. The flawed cable is black, and the redesigned cable is red as to easily spot if your boat has the correct cable. Also, your boat should shift very easily. If not, that means there is trouble and the gears will soon eat themselves. I make sure that my boat is properly maintained and had it upgraded with the red shift cable. My cobra runs and shifts beautifully, and shows no sign of changing. Follow the advice in my earlier post, and it should tell you if this boat is worth deeper consideration. The gear oil is checked by unscrewing the largest and center of the 5 bolts on the top of the outdrive. Since the boat has been sitting, the water (if any) may have settled to the bottom, in which case remove the drain plug on the bottom of the outdrive near the skeg. Its alright if a little bit of water falls out, but anything over a teaspoon, back to the classifieds you go. Take a test drive before you give the seller any money, or you might get a raw deal. A clean engine is nice, but does not tell you how well it is inside. My manifolds and risers looked a day old when I bought my boat, when they came off after I found water in the oil, I found they were rusted though. Looks can be deceiving...

 

[aldwill49]

Re: Purchase 4.3L OMC 2b, 18ft EbbTide Riveria

Thanks for the help. We will try to get them to take us out with it.<br /><br />I am not familiar with cables, where is the best place to look for this red cable?<br /><br />Is the NAPA guide a good rough estimate for cost?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[McKenzie]

Re: Purchase 4.3L OMC 2b, 18ft EbbTide Riveria

The shift cable that comes from the transom to a bracket on the starboard riser.

 

[Lark40]

Re: Purchase 4.3L OMC 2b, 18ft EbbTide Riveria

To Juancho,<br /><br />Totally disagree with your opinion.<br /><br />I sold a new 2001 Bayliner with a Mercruiser to buy a 1987 Starcraft with an OMC drive.<br /><br />Best move I could have made. Engine is quieter, shifts much smoother, and is simpler to work on.<br /><br />Every part is available, as is local service from Johnson/Evinrude dealers.

 

[aldwill49]

Re: Purchase 4.3L OMC 2b, 18ft EbbTide Riveria

Thanks to all for the input.<br />Bought the Riveria 180, 4.3L.<br />It comes with manuals and I plan to<br />service it. <br />How long do plugs last? This probably <br />only has 50 hours on the current set.<br /><br />I need to oil the teak steps and rear platform.<br /><br />What hoses and such should I also change/check?<br /><br />Any other suggestions are appreciated.

 

[McKenzie]

Re: Purchase 4.3L OMC 2b, 18ft EbbTide Riveria

If you aren't sure about the age/condition of the spark plugs, replace them to be sure. As to the hoses, you only need to change them if they are damaged. They should be firm and not very pliable. Look inside them, they should be smooth, no cracks, frays, or delamination. Enjoy your boat

 

[joeG]

Re: Purchase 4.3L OMC 2b, 18ft EbbTide Riveria

I own a 1993 Four Winns 180 Freedom 4.3L V6 OMC. Bought it used 3 years ago and have probably put all the hours she has seen on it just in the past 3 years. I make sure to get it winterized by a mechanic, I change the oil 2-3 times during the boating season and I make sure to check the entire iginition system after dewinterizing. I also change the fuel filter every year and make sure to put Stabil in the gas tank every winter. My OMC runs like a champ, wouldn't trade it for anything! <br /><br />I am curious as to what Mckenzie is talking about..the shifting cable...I am not familiar with it and don't anything about the RED from the BLACK one. <br /><br />Shifting was rough the first couple of years, then I turned down the idle speed on the carb and noticed a huge difference in the shifting (much smoother now)...is the shifter cable easy to replace (if I have a black one)? or does it need to be done by a mechanic?

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: Purchase 4.3L OMC 2b, 18ft EbbTide Riveria

From what I've read, if you have a flawed shift cable you'd know because you already would have spent several hundred dollars replacing damaged gears and having the updated cable installed.<br /><br />I BELIEVE the shift cable problem was solved by omc in '88 and that 89's and newer omc's have the proper cable already installed. I purchased an '89 this past May and it already had the red one.<br /><br />I believe if you raise the lower unit and turn the wheel all the way to the left you'll be able to see the cable if you look up from underneath the drive unit - it should be red.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Purchase 4.3L OMC 2b, 18ft EbbTide Riveria

I have one too, and have been happy with it so far, I have a local OMC dealer that can get me just about any part I need. One thing I can suggest is that if your engine has the one piece OMC exhaust manifolds, and you are unsure of their condition, I would pick up a set because they are not available in the aftermarket, they were made only by OMC. They are expensive(377 ea) and are still available-- but better to have a set when you need em otherwise you will have to adapt a Volvo or Merc V-6 manifold to the OMC Y-pipe.

 

[pra51]

Re: Purchase 4.3L OMC 2b, 18ft EbbTide Riveria

I have a 1991 mariah with a 4.3HO OMC Cobra.It had the black shift cable on it.I purchased a brand new "red" shift cable on Ebay for it.You can tell the shift cable by looking on the side of intake manifold by carb.There will be a bracket with 2 cables,the lower one is the shift cable from your shifter from front.The top cable is the transom shift cable,which goes down to drive unit.This is the cable in question,it should be red,about as big around as a pencil.I replaced mine,with out to much trouble.You have to pull the lower unit to do so.Do a search in this forum on omc shift cable and you will find a lot of valuable info,including a link to a article that tells you all about this problem,written by a guy ,his name Hastings.Great info on OMC cobra.<br />As far as parts I am able to get a lot of my parts from NAPA,have to order.Get yours self a service manual.

 

[pra51]

Re: Purchase 4.3L OMC 2b, 18ft EbbTide Riveria

I might add.I have been very happy with mine.See abouve post.It runs great.It runs 51 mph by gps and will pull tubers and skiers with essy.Love my OMC,so far.

 

[aldwill49]

Re: Purchase 4.3L OMC 2b, 18ft EbbTide Riveria

this 86 4.3L 2V OMC, has the red cable. The person I bought it from had the gears changed last year. The mechanic told him not to push the level down quick and smooth. pushing it down slowly will grind the gears. I looked at the cables and both are red, so I guess I am set.<br /><br />I have 2 manuals , OMC Cobra Owner's-Operator's Manual & Service Manual. Weather permitting, our maiden voyage will be this weekend. <br /><br />Is it bad for the motor to idle for any length of time? Hopefully the manuals will tell me what oils I need to use.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Purchase 4.3L OMC 2b, 18ft EbbTide Riveria

In my 1988 4.3, OMC says to use straight 30 wt motor oil in the engine, and OMC HiVis gear lube in the outdrive. I use Chevron Delo 400 straight wt 30 and the OMC HiVis in the drive. If you decide to change the oil in the outdrive, you MUST follow the procedure in the service manual, otherwise you may wind up with an air pocket and that will ruin the upper gears (lotta $$!!) Most maintenance on these is pretty easy, chanaging plugs, points, etc. Nice simple engine. The OMC shop manuals are still available and are very good, only about 35 or so from the dealer.<br /><br />Sounds like the mechanic was telling him the right way to shift into gear--with a dog clutch system,you don't ease it in like a synchromesh trans in a car, a good quick shift works better. These should not shift hard (stiff), or grind. If so you need to get the cable adjusted. If you have trouble with it coming out of gear into neutral, make sure the idle speed is adjusted correctly, and that the ESA system is working.

 

[aldwill49]

Re: Purchase 4.3L OMC 2b, 18ft EbbTide Riveria

yeps, just read through the manual. One of the yearly maintenance items says to remove the outer unit. Is this really necessary. A hoist and all of that? Not to mention the different oils and grease required. Hopefully I can find a boat place with some of these oils.

 

[Lark40]

Re: Purchase 4.3L OMC 2b, 18ft EbbTide Riveria

From what I do and what I've read, most owners pull the Cobra outdrive every two years.<br /><br />You do need a hoist. A common car engine one that breaks down for storage will do nicely.<br /><br />All the grease/fluids are available at your local Johnson/Evinrude dealer.

 

[aldwill49]

Re: Purchase 4.3L OMC 2b, 18ft EbbTide Riveria

Maiden voyage,,, New battery was not fully charged. Had to take truck battery to jump start it. <br />The only other problem was the engine cutting out at about 3800 RPMs, give or take. Seemed like it was starving for gas. So I kept it at 3000rpm and everything seem OK. After I loaded the boat back on the trailer I noticed that the gas breather cap was turned and blocked the breather holes. At least that is what it looked like. Could this cause the cutting out at the higer rates?<br /><br /> One last newbee problem. when traveling in a no wake area (at idle), I felt like a new car driver, I could not stop over steering. I could not keep the boat from going back and forth. It this normal for a stern drive.