OMC or Mercruiser

[dakota1999]

Can a boat equipped with an OMC drive be converted to a mercruiser drive and how difficult is this to change.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: OMC or Mercruiser

First of all, which OMC drive do you have now? If it's a stringer the transom has to be redone, i.e., glassing in the transom after the new drive is installed. If it's a Cobra it's less labor intensive, but you will need a new Merc transom assembly, shift cables, I think manifolds, & a few other odds & ends. Either way, it's an expensive proposition.

 

[dakota1999]

Re: OMC or Mercruiser

The original drive was an OMC but it was stolen off the boat. I don't own it yet but have been looking at it. I have been told that the OMC was real expensive if you found one. I do not know what type of OMC was on it. I thought switching to a mercruiser may be cheaper. I have never owned a boat but I like this one and want to buy it if it is fixable. I work in the auto industry so the mechanics are not going to be a problem, just need some guidence.

 

[mkast]

Re: OMC or Mercruiser

just need some guidence.

There are thousands of boats for sale, find one that doesn't need this kind of work. Run the numbers, how much will it cost to complete? Now double it. How much will it be worth when completed? Less than you think. Who would buy a boat with this modification? Narrow market. The longer you look, the better the deal you'll find.

 

[danond]

Re: OMC or Mercruiser

dakota1999: You are wasting your time. No OMC drive is worth the trouble. They've been out of business for 10+ years. If you're already looking for a budget boat, you likely can't afford the cost to change the drive system.

Find another boat with a working Mercruiser or Volvo/Penta drive.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: OMC or Mercruiser

I do not know what type of OMC was on it. I thought switching to a Mercruiser may be cheaper.

Cheaper is a relative thing...

If you're looking at a boat that has the drive missing AND it's a Cobra engine then yes you can switch it.

To make it worth while there needs to be some preconditions:

1. It probably needs to be free. (or almost free)

2.There needs to be little or nothing wrong with the boat.

3. You need to be able to find donor boat that has a good condition "correct" Mercruiser engine, gimbal and drive for next to nothing.

It's probably easier to just keep looking for a boat with the "right" engine and drive. (that means early to mid 90's Merc or 95+ Volvo.

Choose a boat with the most common and (still) well supported engines.

That means 3.0L--4cyl, 4.3L--V-6 or 5.0/5.7L--V-8 etc.

Other engines may have limited support 230/250/292 GM 6cyl.

By limited I mean the exhaust manifolds may be prohibitively expensive or no longer available from Mercruiser or Volvo and the after market has everyone by the "short-hairs"


This is just a few examples of what you need to think about. There's more.....but you probably get the idea.....


Regards,


Rick

 

[cr2k]

Re: OMC or Mercruiser

If you really like the boat I would search for a used drive that is a replacement for the one that was stolen. Or maybe a donor boat with the correct drive.

If it was a cobra, yes they are expensive to replace but they are a good drive.

Everyone on this forum seems to freak out and choke on OMC. Yes they are no longer in business, but parts are available but somewhat costly. On the up side if properly maintained the Cobra Drive is near bullet proof.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: OMC or Mercruiser

Dakota, unless you like to tinker and you have tools, a lift, chain hoist etc, your best bet would be to find newer boat with a Merc or Volvo drive inside.


Cheers,


Rick