OMC VS Mercruiser

[tubinglvr]

Looking for any input as to how OMC differs from Mercruiser.
I have owned many run-abouts but only mercruiser.
I am currently looking at a 1984 Sea Sprite with a Volvo 3.0
When I go to do the final check before closing the deal is there anything I should pay close attention to that would be OMC specific?

Thanks for any info you can provide.
Steve

 

[Don S]

Re: OMC VS Mercruiser

OMC doesn't exist anymore, they went out of buisness about 10 years ago.
Mercruiser is the sales leader in I/O's

 

[tubinglvr]

Re: OMC VS Mercruiser

I realize OMC is no longer in business.....had to sell the Sea Ray for financial reasons......but I still need to have a boat....even if it is not what I want.....I'll have my Baja in a couple years when I can afford it.

 

[jspringator]

Re: OMC VS Mercruiser

I had a Volvo AQ 131 that was a real nice drive, except it didn't have power trim. That was the reason I sold it.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: OMC VS Mercruiser

Ok,

I'm not sure what you're asking.

You want to know the differences between OMC/Merc and you're looking at a Volvo?

How does info on OMC help you buy a Volvo?

It appears that you are considering buying a Cobra SX (which is similar and in some ways identical to the Volvo SX)

If it's ALL Volvo, then no problem. Look for normal I/O problems, maintenance records, drive oil condition, etc.

If it says OMC anywhere on it, well, go find another boat with a Mercruiser or Volvo in it.

If you're looking for similarities.....well they use the same GM engines (now) OMC Cobras (drives) were similar to Volvos and some years were identical.

Some OMC engines have parts that are no longer available. Namely the Ford 460 V-8. You cannot buy new exhaust manifolds, couplers, certain electronic ignition parts, and other stuff that you find out about when you go looking for it!

Bottom line. Don't buy a boat with an OMC stern drive in it.

Get a Volvo or a Mercruiser.


Cheers,



Rick

Looking for any input as to how OMC differs from Mercruiser.
I have owned many run-abouts but only mercruiser.
I am currently looking at a 1984 Sea Sprite with a Volvo 3.0
When I go to do the final check before closing the deal is there anything I should pay close attention to that would be OMC specific?

Thanks for any info you can provide.
Steve

 

[Flukinicehole]

Re: OMC VS Mercruiser

I bought a boat last year and it had a Ford/OMC set up in it(Cobra drive). I was restoring a boat with a Merc/Chevy set up in it(Alpha one drive). Long story short they had the same transom cut out and bolt pattern. I took the Merc assembly and bolted it into the new boat in a weekend. The engine plug was even the same I didnt have to cut not even a wire. OMC was trying to be interchangeable with Merc towards the end of there demise. (so the mechanic behind me says)

 

[dmcb]

Re: OMC VS Mercruiser

I had an OMC Cobra for over 15 trouble free years so you are not gonna see me say don't buy one.
King Cobra, yes. There are parts that are hard to get (not impossible). There is a new coupler on Ebay now. Manifolds are available but hard to find.
That said I would not buy a King Cobra because of part availability. That is the big block engines.
However the Cobra (small block) parts are available.
Saying don't buy one is like saying don't buy an Oldsmobile. They are no longer made but parts are available.
Just enjoy the savings because of the lower price because people say don't buy them.
Jmo.
Doug

 

[Lou C]

Re: OMC VS Mercruiser

If you're looking at a 1984 Volvo that's way before the joint venture OMC-Volvo product came out.
My experience with the OMC Cobra has been the same as dmcb's, it has really not been much trouble at all other than having to find parts and a mechanic that knows how to work on them. Mine has been slipped in salt water for 6 seasons I have had it, (longer if including past owners) and in that time I replaced the manifolds (no failure, but they were 14 years old then and didn't want to take a chance), trim lines (barnicles cut one) a bearing carrier (corrosion), bellows (barnicles) gimble (because of bellow leak), and some seals. That's it, not bad for a 20 year old sterndrive.
HOWEVER, would I advise someone to buy one now, with Bombardier not supporting the parts, probably not, I wouldn't want to advise someone to venture into what could be a frustrating experience, when owning a Volvo or Merc is so much easier.
That said if OMC was still in business, or if all the parts were available in the aftermarket, I personally would buy another, but what I do and how I advise others is two different things........

 

[dmcb]

Re: OMC VS Mercruiser

My total repair was one very slow leaking seal. The new owner has had 2 trouble free years so far.
It was trailered and had only fresh water use.
Perhaps finding a good used unit and rat holeing it wouldn't be a bad idea.
It would be an investment and could be sold later if not needed.
Or any parts not supported.
Just an idea.
I have been tempted to buy up any King Cobra parts that come up.
Just for an investment.
Haven't and likely won't but I have been tempted.
Doug

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: OMC VS Mercruiser

Yes, that 460 coupler from Doug Russell (ebay) is one of very few new ones left out there. If I still had the 460 in my boat I would probably pay the $600+ price for it just to have a spare!

It's great example of what has happened to parts for obsolete units.

The sellers of these parts use the market and charge what the market will bear. It's probably not fair but it's the free market. I wouldn't have it any other way. They will get as much as someone with a 460 King Cobra will pay for it (since it's a REAL "show stopper")

Exhaust manifolds are the same. They'll be double what you "should" pay for them and a set of good shape used manifolds will sell for almost what new ones should sell for!!

That's how it is with stuff that someone needs and someone else has. The needy will usually pay a lot for things they need etc!!

I'm sure I'll probably have no trouble selling my King Cobra drive, gimbal, and other stuff I still have lying on the floor.......when ever I get around to listing it that is!

I was lucky, the only thing wrong with my 460 was the engine needed rebuilding. The drive was in perfect shape and I probably should have just rebuilt the engine and put it all back together.


If I had it to do all over again I would not have bought the OMC powered boat in the first place.... (even though my brother, who bought it new, sold it to me)

As cheaply as I got the boat, and as good a deal I got on the Merc Bravo III, and as nice as the boat is now with the Bravo, I probably would have been money ahead just finding a newer boat with the "right" eng/drive in it!


My original suggestion stands. Don't buy an OMC Cobra powered boat.

If you must buy one however, DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Find out EXACTLY what model you're getting into and check with several parts sources to ensure that you can find normal wear parts such as couplers, exhaust manifolds/risers/elbows and electronic ignition/injection parts if so equipped. Be especially sure you can find drive parts unique to the drive you have.


Regards,



Rick
A former King Cobra operator!

 

[Don S]

Re: OMC VS Mercruiser

Nothing lasts forever. Even the good running Cobras now are getting even older. Rebuilding a drive takes special tools to do properly, Lots of them. Without those special tools, it's a hit & MISS rebuild.
If you don't have the ability or the tools to do drive work, it may be almost impossible for you to find someone in your area that does.
Not many Edsel or DeSoto mechanics out there that can fix your tow vehicle either.

 

[Bondo]

Re: OMC VS Mercruiser

Not many Edsel or DeSoto mechanics out there that can fix your tow vehicle either.

Ayuh,.........

Yugo Mechanics are few,+ far between too.........

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: OMC VS Mercruiser

Wow!


I guess I was wrong about prices for OMC 460 exhaust manifolds!!


Doug Russell now has them listed for about $1350 EACH!! (a discount from $1500!!)


What a deal! Maybe I should have kept the 460?

Regards, y'all


Rick

 

[Lou C]

Re: OMC VS Mercruiser

Hytek Marine in Austraila makes one piece replacements for inboards and they have a set listed for the 460, but since they are stainless steel you can imagine what they cost!
I have the batwings on my V-6 that are pricey and hard to get too, but when I replaced the originals about 4 years ago, I got another set and stashed them in the garage when I saw the price starting to go up. Now there is a conversion kit out there to convert them to a two piece set up. The shop I use tells me they can get the parts needed to to a rebuild if needed and since they were a OMC dealer back in the day they have all the special tools. Still I think it'd make more sense to do a Volvo SX conversion even though that would cost a lot more initially.

 

[dmcb]

Re: OMC VS Mercruiser

Again there is a HUGE difference between the King Cobra and the Cobra.
It is the King that has the parts problem.
Don makes a very good point about finding a mechanic.
Even when I needed a seal I did a lot of research to find one.
What I did (and it was in Florida where there are a lot of boats and mechanics) was ask every place I could where I could find a good OMC mechanic. Auto parts places like Napa that also sell boat parts, marinas, and so on.
Soon the same name came up.
It wasn't a dealership but they did a lot of OMC work.
There is a lot of guys that call themselves mechanics.
Then there are mechanics.
Dons remark is certainly valid.
Doug