1977 OMC 165hp

[NZ-Kevin]

Hi, I've posted on Iboats before, but never in this forum. I'm hoping for some more positive advice, all anyone else will say is "don't buy a sterndrive". I am looking at buying a boat with a 1977 OMC 165hp fitted, it was fitted to the boat from new. It's the straight six engine. The boat has been unused for a couple of years, and looking at the big rubber gasket on the drive that will need replacing before it goes back in the water, and I would change the oil in the leg as well. I've heard the engine running, and it sounded fine -and the gearbox selected forward and reverse OK. Is there anything in particular I should be looking at, and what are the potential problems? Is this a reasonable set up generally? My thoughts are if it's still running and working after allthis time it can't be as bad as many people tell me it is -but most boaties here dislike inboard engines (not sure why). I'll be doing all my own servicing and work on the engine and drive, so hopefully that will keep running costs under control.

Regards
Kevin

 

[GMC2003]

Re: 1977 OMC 165hp

Parts can get pretty expensive for the OMC Stringers... and are becoming pretty hard to find. Is it an electric shift or mechanical?

 

[NZ-Kevin]

Re: 1977 OMC 165hp

I didn't know there were different shift types, so didn't look. Is there anything I might remember about the boat that would tell me?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 1977 OMC 165hp

it's electric shift. The 165 inline 6 was only mated to electric shift by OMC, and not in 77, so it's older - could be 76 in a 77 hull. 76 last year OMC used the I6
I would avoid that system unless you know and witnessed it's maintenance history from day one. even then, only if it's free and you like tinkering. Best investment would be a good kicker on a bracket if you do buy it. What are those fragile clutch springs selling for these days? about $500?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 1977 OMC 165hp

ah.. they're only $390 each right now, but BRP is ruthless...if stock gets low, they'll crank the price out of the stratosphere...
expensive slinky
0313455 SPRING,Clutch hub 2 $390.46

 

[NZ-Kevin]

Re: 1977 OMC 165hp

Would a boat with a 140 mercruiser be a better choice? -looking at two virtually identical boats, but slightly different engines. Double checked the date and it is a 1975, not 1977 -which fits better with your comments.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 1977 OMC 165hp

Would a boat with a 140 mercruiser be a better choice?

generally, yes.

Mercruiser is the only way to go on a 20+ year old boat in my opinion. to compare: You can buy a brand new outdrive with a 3 year warranty for that Mercruiser powered boat for about the same price as 2 of those OMC clutch springs, a transom boot, impeller, and a set of ball gears

 

[southkogs]

Re: 1977 OMC 165hp

I'll second that Kevin - If you've got the choice between identical boats with an old OMC or and old Merc, grab the Mercruiser. I've got an old OMC, and honestly it hasn't been that hard to keep it alive - but it's making a mechanic out of me. I'm enjoying it on the overall, but it's definitely a lot of garage time.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: 1977 OMC 165hp

If you said cobra, I would say maybe. Stringer, no!!!!! Parts are too hard to find.

 

[NZ-Kevin]

Re: 1977 OMC 165hp

Looks like the OMC isn't a good choice then. If anyone is interested I did find this company www.sterndrive.info who do all the parts forthe older stringer units, including "new" units. But they do seem to be the only people in the world doing a full range of spares, which isn't great when they are the other side of the world -I think freight alone would cost me a fortune, not to mention waiting for parts.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 1977 OMC 165hp

Looks like the OMC isn't a good choice then. If anyone is interested I did find this company www.sterndrive.info who do all the parts forthe older stringer units, including "new" units. But they do seem to be the only people in the world doing a full range of spares, which isn't great when they are the other side of the world -I think freight alone would cost me a fortune, not to mention waiting for parts.

I didn't even catch the NZ thing - TC MArine is a 90 minute drive from me and still not worth it.

 

[NZ-Kevin]

Re: 1977 OMC 165hp

Thanks for all the advice, I'm now looking at a boat with a V6 mercruiser in it. It's a replaement engine with 250hours on it, so should be good for a while yet, and as it's a 2002 engine spares should not be a problem.