Before I buy

[familyfun]

I'm looking at a '77 viking deck boat with a 175 mercrusier. I noticed when I turned the prop around there was a little oil on the bottom side. Is this something I should be concerned with? On a scale of 1 to 10 how difficult is it to replace the seals in the lower unit? What else should I look for or ask about before I buy? I know for the price i'm looking at i'm not going to afford a brand new boat, not scared to get my hands dirty or apply some elbow grease. I'm mechanically inclined just new to the boating world. Just don't want to buy a lemon. Thanks in advance.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Before I buy

with a 175 mercrusier

Ayuh,... What Motor,..?? If that's a 4 cylinder,... You Don't want it....

On a scale of 1 to 10 how difficult is it to replace the seals in the lower unit?

About an 11,... It takes several different Speciality Tools...

What else should I look for or ask about before I buy?

Look for Rotten Stringers,+ the Transom...

 

[ziggy]

Re: Before I buy

i'm not familar with a 175hp mercruiser in that era. what engine is in it? a mercruiser 470?.. if so, that'd be enough for me not to get it.
as for the lower seals. i've never done them, but if you go to the adults only sticky at the top of the i/o page and get #2, it'll have instructions and pics as to what is necessary to replace seals in the lower. it don't look easy to me from the reading i've done on it.
if there's gear lub leaking, prior to buying, i'd drain it and see if it is milky gear lub or if it has any metal shavings mixed in it... if milky, water intrusion into the drive has occurred. that's bad. if metal fragments are found, metal pieces (like gears and brgs.) in the drive are starting to fail. you could also do a pressure test of the drive after the lub is drained. instructions for that are also in the adults only sticky.

 

[Don S]

Re: Before I buy

Are you sure you aren't talking about a 175 MERCURY Outboard?

 

[familyfun]

Re: Before I buy

When I looked at the engine it said 175 OMC. I might have been mistaken on the mercrusier. I do know it is a V8.

 

[Don S]

Re: Before I buy

1. OMC went out of buisness over 10 years ago.
2. The stringer drives stopped production in 1985.
3. Since OMC went out of buisness, OMC trained mechanics to do drive repair are getting harder and harder to find. Along with OEM parts.
4. A better choice would be a boat with a Mercruiser or Volvo engine/drive combination. Both companies are still in buisness.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Before I buy

When I looked at the engine it said 175 OMC

if that's what it says, then for sure walk away. omc's are obsolete and there's better fish to be had somewhere else. especially in these economic times. when i was buying, mercruiser 470 version engines + omc's were on the no look at list, no matter how cool the boat was.. do a search on the fourm for omc and 470. you'll find some that like them, but not many. and the ones that do like them, have one. so of coarse they'll will defend them.. i'd pass on it myself...

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Before I buy

So it's a inboard/outboard OMC correct??

Run fast and don't look back thats the worst of the worst.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Before I buy

said 175 OMC.

Ayuh,.. You Don't want it...

 

[familyfun]

Re: Before I buy

Thanks for you help. I think i'm going to steer clear and keep looking. I have a few more i'm going to check out. One with a 165 mercrusier 6 cyl and one with a 350 chevy.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Before I buy

Thanks for you help. I think i'm going to steer clear and keep looking. I have a few more i'm going to check out. One with a 165 mercrusier 6 cyl and one with a 350 chevy.

Now you're talking!

The 165 straight six Mercruiser is a great set up and very easy to work on. Parts are plentiful and it is fairly economical on gas. A 350 Chevy is also easy to work on and parts are anywhere and everywhere... but it is not so "gas friendly." If you are looking for a simple engine that is dependable, I would look long and hard at the 165. Keeping in mind all the other stuff as well - solid stringers, transom, etc.

 

[td8]

Re: Before I buy

If he boat is in good shape and you can get for a good price then go for it.Don't be scared of the OMC get yourself a good manual and if you are a pretty good mechanic you can work on it.

 

[familyfun]

Re: Before I buy

Alright, if it is an OMC then i'll steer clear. If I miss read something and it is a mercrusier I might go ahead and purchase. So, any idea about the leak. It was just a small amount and it looked more like a 10W30 not real thick or heavy. I'll try to contact the guy and go look at the boat again.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Before I buy

mercrusier I might go ahead and purchase. So, any idea about the leak.

If it is an old Mercruiser 1 and it is leaking it may not be possible to fix without breaking something. I've seen the lower prop carrier be so corroded up that no amount of penetrating oil or heat will allow it to be removed. That said, a brand new complete aftermarket outdrive only costs around $1,300.

That's IF it is a Mercruiser. As you say, run away if it is OMC.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Before I buy

The inline six is bullet proof,but how much boat is it pushing?

The 350 is a real nice motor also but it all depends on the rest of the package.

And once again i have a OMC stringer drive, and i would not recommend it.

But a 77 is electric shift the worst of the worst.

And yes it could have been motor oil on the prop from the clutch housing leaking, they all do. There is a way to metigate the leaking but they all do eventually.

 

[familyfun]

Re: Before I buy

the 165 is on a '72 deck boat and the 350 is in a '86 century cuddy cabin.

 

[Don S]

Re: Before I buy

Alright, if it is an OMC then i'll steer clear. If I miss read something and it is a mercrusier I might go ahead and purchase. So, any idea about the leak. It was just a small amount and it looked more like a 10W30 not real thick or heavy. I'll try to contact the guy and go look at the boat again.

Before you make the drive over there, a couple of thoughts.
What color was the engine and drive? Do you remember?

White drive & blue engine = OMC

Black drive & black engine = Mercruiser

Mercruiser did not have a model number of 175, OMC did.

 

[familyfun]

Re: Before I buy

It was most definelty an OMC then, it had a blue motor and a white drive. I'm going to leave this one for someone else. I found a smaller open bow which will work better for me, an '88 bayliner with a 125 force outboard, for about $400 less. I'm going to go look at it Friday, hopefully with more luck. Thanks for everyone's help greatly appreciated.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Before I buy

an '88 bayliner with a 125 force outboard,

Ayuh,...

Sounds like you're going from the Frying Pan,.. Directly into the Fire...

 

[familyfun]

Re: Before I buy

I guess Force isn't that good of a motor either??