1984 OMC 800 Stringer

[dbismyname]

Hi all,
I've read about 250 threads today researching this boat.
I'm looking at an '84 Ebbtide Catalina 5.0 OMC 800.
The stringers that the motor mounts to were replaced with new treated wood and then refiberglassed. The motor runs strong. The spark arrestor has been replaced with one from a mercruiser and does not have the vacuum lines to the valve covers. Brand new seats throughout. All lower unit trim works, however, the lower unit gave out and knocked a hole in the side of the lower casing.

First should I steer clear of a stringer all together?
Second where should I be looking besides ebay for a lower unit?
And what other things should I be looking at on this boat?
Really really cheap and I am pretty handy with anything motor related, would be my first boat though.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 1984 OMC 800 Stringer

If i were you i would look at my feet and say don't fail me now.

No matter how cheap it is don't buy it unless you want to put the motor in another boat with a merc or Volvo drive.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1984 OMC 800 Stringer

First should I steer clear of a stringer all together?

Ayuh,.. Welcome Aboard,...

You do Not want that boat,...
The driveline is a Dead Horse,... So is the company that built it...

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 1984 OMC 800 Stringer

does not have the vacuum lines to the valve covers.

red flag #1
those aren't vacuum lines, they are crankcase vents. Without them, the engine will build high pressure in he crankcase and blow all the gaskets out and blow oil all over the place....

should I steer clear of a stringer all together?

yes
I personally like those drives, but unless you know their quirks, love to tinker with them, have a source of free spares and have experience with them, they are a drive that can really sour a newbie's boating experience altogether

 

[Ridemywideglide]

Re: 1984 OMC 800 Stringer

red flag #1
those aren't vacuum lines, they are crankcase vents. Without them, the engine will build high pressure in he crankcase and blow all the gaskets out and blow oil all over the place.

I think he means they are not hooked to the flame arrestor. If there is a hole/valve/hose of any type in the valve cover, you will not blow any seals or oil all over the place.

 

[dbismyname]

Re: 1984 OMC 800 Stringer

I think he means they are not hooked to the flame arrestor. If there is a hole/valve/hose of any type in the valve cover, you will not blow any seals or oil all over the place.

There is still an elbow on both valve covers, just no hose hooked to the spark arrestor anymore.


Yeah I am going to take ya'lls advice and walk away from this one. Thanks for the quick replies!! I will definitely be back when I go to look at the next one. Once I find the boat I'll figure out the drivetrain and then get to searching on here again. It's great to find 100's of threads that pertain to the boat you are looking at.