1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP

[Celtichawk]

Hello everyone just joined the site as you can see, I have recently purchased myself a 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP, before anyone says if they do its junk, well to me the boat seems well off and worth some fixing up. Starts up without a problem and the original owner has explained thorough everything and anything about this boat. I just had her running today in my driveway and purrs like a kitten. I will ask though that the one major thing wrong with it is the transom seal is cracked and needs replaced. Could anyone point me in the best direction to whom and where to purchase? I will provide any more detailed information if needed to identify the proper part for this particular boat.

Again, to the best of my knowledge this boat was well worth the price of $700 bucks. Trailer itself was is in excellent shape. So to top it off if the boat sucks the trailer is worth it kidding. New to being a boat owner but young enough to consider a project. I have a couple very young kids and one boy about 7 years old itching to go fishing so I can not wait to get out.

Just needed some help determining what website to order from and what exact part I will need. I have found many sites but can not seem to track down the right transom seal. If you want pictures I will post them. Thanks guys.

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP

Hi and welcome to iboats! I have the same drive setup as you so I know it's not as bad as those Merc guys say.

For looking up parts, the BRP website has exploded views with part #s here: http://epc.brp.com/SiteMods/BRP_Pub...ang=E&s1=3ca1203f-5ff5-4c54-8883-672db6f34677
Click on 'view parts catalog', then under products select 'sterndrive' then select the year and model# of your drive. You can order parts from them as well.

You can also get many OMC parts from Sierra marine. Here's a link to their catalog: http://ww2.sierramarine.com/sierra/search/searchmain.html You can get Sierra parts at NAPA stores among other places.

For some more basic info on your drive check out my thread here: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=501126

Good luck and welcome aboard!

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP

Hi and welcome to iboats! I have the same drive setup as you so I know it's not as bad as those Merc guys say.

For looking up parts, the BRP website has exploded views with part #s here: http://epc.brp.com/SiteMods/BRP_Pub...ang=E&s1=3ca1203f-5ff5-4c54-8883-672db6f34677
Click on 'view parts catalog', then under products select 'sterndrive' then select the year and model# of your drive. You can order parts from them as well.

You can also get many OMC parts from Sierra marine. Here's a link to their catalog: http://ww2.sierramarine.com/sierra/search/searchmain.html You can get Sierra parts at NAPA stores among other places.

For some more basic info on your drive check out my thread here: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=501126

Good luck and welcome aboard!

^^^^^
Hey thanks for this information. Well the guy I bought the boat from provided me a number 416-751-7326 said the company is out of toronto, I called number and in fact I received a recording stating TC Marine. Obviously myself being on the west coast the shop was already closed so I was unable to talk to anyone. I will call tomorrow. However, he also told me the part # for the transom seal is 88700. Guessing he got this information from this company, but when I look online at other sites they seem to sell the Sierra model but the model number was 88600 I believe. So I was not sure if this was correct, seemed to have the 16 holes. Anyways I will take a gander at what you provided me and see if that helps before I make any phone calls tomorrow. Thanks again.

So you have the same sterndrive? How you like it and what size and model boat do you have?

 

[Redrig]

Re: 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP

I have the same setup you do as well.

I dont remember the OEM part number, but I would check Ebay once you have the number.

I saw OEM ones on there for I wanna say around 100 bucks shipped, and the guy had lots of them.
I have heard bad things about the aftermarket ones.

congrats on the new boat by the way.


Edit - I think this is it
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OMC-Stern-D..._Accessories_Gear&hash=item2eb40b33f1&vxp=mtr

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP

You know what your right, when I went out to the boat to take some photographs I noticed that exact OEM number on the seal. Great stuff, now will I only need the seal or suppose I will have to remove the old one before I know if I need to replace more. Fairly mechanic savvy so would this be something I could do myself? It does have the black flippers on the stern drive though so I may have to remove those to slip it over and put new one on. I have read some forums stating it is not that hard but a few key things to make sure on. I might try to stop by local marine shop and see what they will charge if I remove old and let them install new. Now that I know the OEM I will check out prices now.

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP

Here are some photos, and thanks about me acquiring new boat! Wife was not thrilled but I convinced her that this is a project the whole family gets to enjoy, kids are young so it will be a great boating experience and we can all enjoy it. Other than my 1969 Ford Mustang where my son and I only get to really enjoy it the most....and well maybe just me ! HA HA.

 

[Redrig]

Re: 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP

Do it yourself, if you are savvy it shouldnt be that big of deal.

removing that drive is simple, you can have that drive off in 15 minutes.

I would take off the drive and at least give it a look over to see if you feel that you can do it. If you dont think you can then take it in to a pro.

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP

Well removing the drive though will also mean disabling the shift cable too right and other things or is it a few bolts pull it out remove seal, then put new one on? Guess I could try to remove it, mark each piece and label then try to put it back together using correct seal and sealant. If it don't seem dooable then I will take your advice and send to shop. Wonder what it will cost the guy I bought it from said no more than 90 minutes of labor if anything more walk away. But if you say 15 minute job then I don't even want to pay that much to a shop then. Could only imagine the price per hour being over $50 I'm sure per hour.

 

[Redrig]

Re: 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP

get a copy of the manual, at least the Seloc. it walks you right through it.

plus for a "new to you" boat you really should change the impeller and grease the splines on everything, which you have to remove the drive anyways.

there is a link somewhere around here that you can down load the manual for free.

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP

Good advice from Redrig, change the impeller while you have the drive off. The drive is easy to take off, just unhook the shift wire, take off the pivot caps and it's off! (Make sure you mark the caps left/right as they are not interchangeable.) So easy a caveman can do it! Just be careful pulling the shift cable out as you don't want to damage it. The wire has 2 knife connections on the inside of the transom. Some people leave the the shift wire attached and just swing the leg over to the side and support it there. When you change the impeller make sure to grease the splines on the pump shaft real good. Once it's back together put a few shots of grease in the fitting that is under the plastic screw-in cap about halfway up on the front of the leg. (A lot of people don't even realize there is a grease nipple there.) Grease the pivot cap fittings too. While the drive is off it might also be a good idea to open the clutch housing and clean it up and re-fill with oil. If you find a bunch of water in there you might want to pull the clutch pack out and separate the disks and clean them up with brake cleaner then soak them overnight in oil before re-assembly.

The transom seal is simple to replace with the drive off. (I did mine with the drive still on and it still wasn't that bad. Hardest part is reaching the gear clamp on the inside of the transom.) Clean up the surfaces real well and use Sikaflex or 3M 4200 around the seal and a bit in each screw hole. Tighten the screws by hand as they need to be snug, but you don't want to strip out the holes.

My boat is an 18 1/2' Cal-Glass and the 175 works great. With a light load I can get almost 45mph out of it. The best thing I ever did to the boat was to install Smart Tabs on it. I used to have horrendous bow rise on takeoff and it was prone to porpoising and the tabs made a huge difference.

I used to have a red '68 coupe with the 289. Loved that car! Got a pic of your 'stang?

 

[Larry E]

Re: 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP

Hello everyone just joined the site as you can see, I have recently purchased myself a 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP, before anyone says if they do its junk, well to me the boat seems well off and worth some fixing up. Starts up without a problem and the original owner has explained thorough everything and anything about this boat. I just had her running today in my driveway and purrs like a kitten. I will ask though that the one major thing wrong with it is the transom seal is cracked and needs replaced. Could anyone point me in the best direction to whom and where to purchase? I will provide any more detailed information if needed to identify the proper part for this particular boat.

Again, to the best of my knowledge this boat was well worth the price of $700 bucks. Trailer itself was is in excellent shape. So to top it off if the boat sucks the trailer is worth it kidding. New to being a boat owner but young enough to consider a project. I have a couple very young kids and one boy about 7 years old itching to go fishing so I can not wait to get out.

Just needed some help determining what website to order from and what exact part I will need. I have found many sites but can not seem to track down the right transom seal. If you want pictures I will post them. Thanks guys.

Contact Jody at Sea-Way.com for parts. He has it all and is knowledgeable to answer your questions.
Larry E

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP

Hey thanks everyone for your support. I will take this all into considerations before attempting to disassemble my drive. Will conduct my own homework based on what all of you guys provided to me. Then I will decide what is best. I have heard others just soap it up and greese it up well and slip it over the drive. Just don't look promising seems like too many odd ball corners and manuverring to get it up and over the drive and into place. Although people say they have done it just like your self REDNECK, but I will have to see.

When I purchased my stang in 2006 it was said to have a blown motor but lucky for me having knowledge about cars in the first place and some mechanic skills I knew right away it was a blown head gasket. At the very worse maybe warped heads, but turns out $77.00 bucks replaced and she ran great. I ended up while having the heads removed to resurface them and replaced carburetor and intake as well. Just something I wanted to do since motor was not original any how. To this day no problems with my car and I will post pictures or at least a link to since this is a boat forum !!! Take me sometime to locate them as the car sits in upstate new york in a barn right now awaiting my delivery to the state of california very soon! Can not wait but in the meantime my boat is my priority.

Oh I almost forgot it was $1800.00 bucks I paid for my car. The original seller had no idea what he was doing, rich guy in orange county, CA and well his loss my gain due to his wife making him sell it as they were expecting another child. Seems like a good choice that time but I'm sure he regrets it now. If only he knew. Also I'm the third owner of the car and I have all paperwork including original sticker in window from dealer. How cool huh?

 

[JSMoore]

Re: 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP

My boat is an 18 1/2' Cal-Glass and the 175 works great. With a light load I can get almost 45mph out of it. The best thing I ever did to the boat was to install Smart Tabs on it. I used to have horrendous bow rise on takeoff and it was prone to porpoising and the tabs made a huge difference.

NW Redneck... Don't want to hijack this thread to ask about your particular setup. So, I'm sending you a PM about it.
Thanks,
JSMoore

 

[sam60]

Re: 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP

Contact Jody at Sea-Way.com for parts. He has it all and is knowledgeable to answer your questions.
Larry E

Get more quotes than just from Sea-Way.com. Google the part number and save $

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP

Thanks Transom Seal on order and being delivered as we speak. Just now while I wait figure out my homework on a how to, do it yourself swap out. I will try to track down that manual as well. Thanks everyone any issues I will be sure to come back and ask and also let you know how things turned out.

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP

^^^^

Google was my friend along with the part #.

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP

Here's a question for you guys, looking at the pictures could you tell me what model this boat is? It seems the original owner takes awhile to response. He has the manuals for it but waiting on him to locate and mail them to me. Knowing this may help later down the road for any other parts I may need specifically to the hull and not motor stuff. If you need any markings or specific information to identify let me know. Please reference to above photos unless you need another shot of something let me know.

 

[southkogs]

Re: 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP

Owner's manual isn't going to help you much with parts. Hull are hulls are hulls are ... as far as manuals go. See if you have a model ID on the registration, capacity plate or if you have a HIN somewhere on the boat. Otherwise, posting specific question on these boards will get you farther than any manual that would have come with the boat to begin with.

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP

^^^Southkogs^^^

Well that was not much for good advice, I have to say that maybe your right about the manual but that was not my question. My question was asking if anyone on the forum could identify my boat model type. I only mentioned that if I get the manual that its possible it could help. However, now that you have strongly encouraged me otherwise Then I suppose I was wrong.

You did however mention possible to find a HIN somewhere on the boat, so I ask now would there be any place specific to the location these are typically found? Or could it be anywhere? See I'm a automobile type of guy and as we see the car we can identify it, guess that is not always the case with boats and I learn something new everyday.

 

[southkogs]

Re: 1976 SeaSwirl OMC 175HP

Sorry Celtichawk, didn't mean to sound offensive:

Boats of that vintage may or may not have displayed a HIN on them. If they did, they'd be on the capacity plate (usually mounted near the throttle/helm) or stamped in the stern (usually just under the rub rail). In all likelihood, the model number of that boat is V180 or something of that sort ... V (v hull), 180 (18 feet). Sometimes they added something to help identify (in my boat's case it's a Comoro), but you won't gather much information from that detail. Generally the manual you get with a boat (especially the older boats) are a quick start guide on how to drive one without killing yourself.

What I was driving at regarding the hull is that there are probably few (if any) parts that are "SeaSwirl" specific. And any manuals that came with the boat won't likely give you any detail regarding the parts. Most everything will be available to you as an aftermarket repair option not an OEM part.

Engine and outdrive are a completely different story.

Hope that sounds a little more helpful.