rookie boater needing information

[1972IMProokie]

i have a 1972 IMP not sure of which model .. has a cuddy cabin, is a stern drive..i recently puchased it because it was failry cheap but has no engine ...i purchased a 1985 mercruiser that was supposed to be running perfect but ended up having a blown head gasket ..so i got to do my first head gasket job ...it was pretty simple... engine is great now but it is not going to mount in my boat like it was mounted in the other boat..i beleive i am going to have to build up some type of blocks in the engine bay and fiberglass it to the boat. there is a part on the boat i took the engine out of that has a sticker on it that says MARINE j1171..i beleive it is the trim pump ...do i need this on my boat or not ? i think the guy has already sold it to someone else ...also how can i hotwire the tilt motor ?? to see if it works and to get the outdrive up so that i can pull the boat around without havin to wrry about the outdrive hitting the ground? i know this is alot of questions but i have many more lol this is my first boat and i want to do as close to perfect as i can and everyone on here seems to know what they are talking about..thanks

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: rookie boater needing information

Welcome aboard..

Others far smarter than I will chime in...

But if you dont have the trim pump...You wont get the arms or rams to move the outdrive up, down, any way..

The trim pump pushes the hydrolic fluid that drives the arms..

You CAN however simply remove the 5/8 (?) nuts on each side of the outdrive and pull the arms off, then use a strap to tie up the outdrive for towing...

As far as the motor, you will need to fab a motor mount block and I will leave that to the schmart guys...

 

[1972IMProokie]

Re: rookie boater needing information

well my out drive isnt like that it steers from a cable i think ...it doesnt have any arms or anything like that ...there is an electric motor that make the outdrive go up and down ...and also there is a red resivior mounted to the hull that has something to do wit hydraulics wit the flaps on the outside bottom back of boat.. that is the trim isnt it? would an electric pump run the hydraulics for that?

 

[dingdongs]

Re: rookie boater needing information

outdrive has to be turned by a steering wheel.sounds as if you r talking about trim tabs which r only for higher speed stabilising.you need both working correctly.get a manual as soon as you can to give yourself a fighting chance and understanding.look on youtube for videos for info you require.

 

[thumpar]

Re: rookie boater needing information

The trim and tilt pump should be the same unit just limits movement for trim.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: rookie boater needing information

well my out drive isnt like that it steers from a cable i think ...it doesnt have any arms or anything like that ...there is an electric motor that make the outdrive go up and down ...and also there is a red resivior mounted to the hull that has something to do wit hydraulics wit the flaps on the outside bottom back of boat.. that is the trim isnt it? would an electric pump run the hydraulics for that?

ok...do you have THIS (thanks lowkee...lol)

or this (God help you)

 

[1972IMProokie]

Re: rookie boater needing information

i have the second/bottom one ...y is that bad?

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: rookie boater needing information

Ok...well....
That is an OMC strndrive, OMC has been out of business for a number of years, parts can be very difficult to come by as well as tech support as far as shops to work on them.

You stated you bought a Mercruiser motor??? I can be wrong, however I am not thinking that will work for you as you need mercruiser everything. not a merc motor and a OMC drive...


This is now honestly outside of my realm of knowledge, so now that we know what you have, the schmart guys can chime in and help you

Good Luck and again, Welcome!

 

[thumpar]

Re: rookie boater needing information

i have the second/bottom one ...y is that bad?

That is why it was fairly cheap. Should have been dirt cheap.

Look at some OMC info.

 

[1972IMProokie]

Re: rookie boater needing information

ok sooo...now u guys are kind of scaring me ...but...the mercruiser will bolt up to the omc outdrive..so i really dont see any problem there...if there is anyone out there that knows if that really matters lemme know.....

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: rookie boater needing information

What size/type/year Mercruiser did you buy for this?
Do you know the exact OMC motor size/model that was in her previously?

 

[Bondo]

Re: rookie boater needing information

but...the mercruiser will bolt up to the omc outdrive..so i really dont see any problem there...

Ayuh,.... You Will....

 

[1972IMProokie]

Re: rookie boater needing information

i got a 260 mercruiser...i have no clue what size was in it before..but what kind of problems am i gonna be up against?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: rookie boater needing information

OK, let me see if I can be helpful or make things worse for you, I'll do my best as I am entirely a rookie myself!

You have a boat (glasser I assume) Merc engine (runs good), OMC Stringer Outdrive (obsolete by most pros standards)....

You'd be working on two different puzzles there as I see it.

So here is what I am thinking you are facing...

Option #1
Keep the boat, sell the Merc engine, buy an OMC Stringer engine, mount it up with the outdrive.
(This is a horrible, terrible, nightmare of an idea)

Option #2
Keep the boat, keep the Merc engine, find a good Merc outdrive, glass up the hole in the back of the boat, recut a hole that fits your new Merc setup. (I don't think this is a good idea either).

Option #3
Sell the boat, sell the outdrive, (you probably won't get much for either of those items though) keep the Merc motor, find a good boat that had a good Merc outdrive but needs a Merc motor.
(May or may not be a good idea but likely better than the first two.)

Option #4
Sell off the Merc motor, OMC Stringer outdrive and start looking for an Outboard and a bracket. (Likely a very, very bad idea)

Option #5
Sell off everything you have there, cut your losses and start your search for a new rig that has a complete, more up to date driveline (Merc or VP).
(Probably the best route to take)

Again, I am entirely a rookie at this whole deal and am working my way through a similar situation.

I do know that where I am off the vets that hang around here will certainly correct me.

All the best man!!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: rookie boater needing information

Option #5 above is your very best advice!

They have not made those type of OMC drives since 1984.....Obsolete and parts are very rare.
Sell it all and start over...

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: rookie boater needing information

I know even less about I/O's than I do outboards, but I agree with the choices outlines above.

I would opt for 3 or 5. There are a TON of boats out there that have bad motors, but good outdrives and can be purchased very cheaply and are already set up for Merc engines.

If you want to keep that boat it will a big job to rebuild the transom and then cut out to install a Merc outdrive.

The bracket idea is a viable one(albeit expensive), but without looking at a photo of the boat it's tough to say whether or not it is feasible.

Good luck, and remember that this site can help you get thru almost any hurdles you face as long as you are willing to work a bit and put some cash into the project.

 

[1972IMProokie]

Re: rookie boater needing information

so is there anyone out there who has done this before ??? if so did it work fine or not...is it even worth trying to do? is it even possible? i just dont much yet and dont know wut the big problem would be with doing it..

thanks evry1 for the help so far!!!

 

[Fishermark]

Re: rookie boater needing information

Is that an electric shift OMC you have, or do you know?

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: rookie boater needing information

Is that an electric shift OMC you have, or do you know?

I think we need a pic of what he has....I just posted a random pic for him to give us a reference..

 

[1972IMProokie]

Re: rookie boater needing information

i am pretty sure it is electric shift because there are no cables (except for steering and throttle) that go to the front of boat ..i looked up under where the throttle lever and shifter is and there are only wire going to the shifter part.. sorry if i seem like a clueless idiot but i sorta am with all this boating stuff but am eager to learn as much as i can to help some one out one day if they find there self in the same situation..or should i say "in the same boat" lol