75 OMC 245 w/Jet drive

[jasperpso2]

i recently aquired a '75 18ft sea shark with a OMC 245hp jet drive on a tandem axle trailer..

the starter wont pop over, and i am gonna try replacing the selenoid.. so i know what i need to do next.. but i have been searching and searchng for some info on repair and parts, and have found virtuallty nothing.. as far as i know the outdrive is sound today, but is there any fixing it in the future? if there is more wrong with the engine, would any small block chevy work? or is it a special marine engine?

bottom line is the boat is decent looking, and i would like to invest some money and get it going, but not if it just plain isnt worth it..

opinions?

jason

 

[WizeOne]

Re: 75 OMC 245 w/Jet drive

....the starter wont pop over, ...

And what exactly does this mean? Can you hear the solenoid when you try to crank it? Has the boat sat for any period of time? Did it need to be or was it winterized? If so did you try turning the engine over by hand? The best of starters will not turn over a siezed engine.

 

[jasperpso2]

Re: 75 OMC 245 w/Jet drive

sat for 2 years, last time it was on the river my friend went up the river a couple miles, stopped the motor to swim, then it never started again..

i realize the motor could be seized, but i dont think that is the case, but would be willing you rebiuld it or replace with another small block chevy motor (would any small block work?), so my question is more, if the OMC jet drive would take a dump, is it fixable? and is it inevitable for them to have troubles? i got this boat to settle a debt, and i am just wondering if i should invest money in getting the engine going, and run it for a couple years or more, or sell it to recoup some money and buy a better boat.. in either case i am gonna try to get it to turn over, and see if the engine is any good.. i am told the jet drive worked fine last time the boat was in the water. but i really dont know. the roller trailer is in good shape. i only have 500$ in the boat, and i could see myself putting 1000-1500$ in repairs, if i thought the boat would be trustworthy and maintainable..

jason

 

[WizeOne]

Re: 75 OMC 245 w/Jet drive

As far as I know OMC jet drives were never that numerous. Methinks you will have difficulty finding anyone with any experience on them let alone any parts or manuals. IMHO jet drives were never more than a novelty that did have some valid purposes in certain conditions.


I think you got paid with counterfit currency. I'd give it back and find another boat to spend your 2k on.

 

[jasperpso2]

Re: 75 OMC 245 w/Jet drive

well, it was either take this boat, or nothing.. so i took it... it wont be the end of the world if i dont do anything with it.. this guy owed me the money for 2 years.. i wrote it off long ago.. the trailer is probably worth something..

i figure if i can get it started with a new selenoid or starter,or something else simple then cool, but if it needs a new motor, i will just sell it.. maybe if i get it running i can sell it for a decent profit.

thanks for the info..
jason