Change out 78 omc i/o to vp or merc c.??

[richale]

Ive got a 28 ft fiberform executive 2800 with twin 302s and omc sterndrives.The sterdrives run strong and maybe Ive lucked out. Im inquiring about the ability to change outdrives if need be. Or just to upgrade the technology.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Change out 78 omc i/o to vp or merc c.??

That depends on the model of them OMC's......
If they are stringer drives, it won't be easy.....​

 

[JCF350]

Re: Change out 78 omc i/o to vp or merc c.??

It would depend on how much you liked the hull. I did this on my Stamas. I cut out and replaced the transom from the inside. Bunch of work but worth it in my book since I don't work eek: four letter word sorry) any more any way.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Change out 78 omc i/o to vp or merc c.??

Ayuh,.......... I think 1978 qualifies as a Stringer Drive,.............

And,..... I Totally Agree with JCF,.....

I've done a couple,+ have been Involved with a few more,.......
It comes down to whether the Hull is Worth it......

If it Is,....... Glass it in,+ just Start Over..............

 

[richale]

Re: Change out 78 omc i/o to vp or merc c.??

That depends on the model of them OMC's......
If they are stringer drives, it won't be easy.....​

They are stringers

 

[richale]

Re: Change out 78 omc i/o to vp or merc c.??

They are stringers. Can you recommend someone who does this kind of work. Im in Everett port and dont really think these mechs can handle it.

 

[richale]

Re: Change out 78 omc i/o to vp or merc c.??

The boat is probably worth 22,500. It is a nice 28 for the year. Do you think I could see a return to break even on costs if I then sold the boat after two years. At that time we would like to get our 40 trawler.

 

[Don S]

Re: Change out 78 omc i/o to vp or merc c.??

You're going to be hard pressed to get 22.5 out of a 28 foot boat that is 30 years old. It would have to looked and run perfect with no rot (ain't gonna happen on a 30 year old Fiberform). Twin Fords with stringer drives makes it even worse.
Short of 2 new engines and drives, newer technology is only a dream.
Merc engine packages is going to set you back, a minimum of 16,000 if you luck onto some really great deals on out of date stock. And that doesn't count install or new transom
.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Change out 78 omc i/o to vp or merc c.??

I would not put a nickel more into it than you need to keep it running.....
Boats like yours are gonna be real cheap soon, IMHO.....
No disrespect but, the credit crunch will force alot of sales even up here in Wa......​

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Change out 78 omc i/o to vp or merc c.??

Yeah.....Just run it and be glad there's nothing wrong with them....

It absolutely wouldn't be worth it to swap them out unless..... you could find a donor boat "for next to nothing"..... that "a tree fell on and didn't hurt the engine/drives"........

Then do the transom replacement yourself (because it's a hobby) and put the newer VP/Merc eng/drives in.


Then it might be worth it.



Cheers,


Rick

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Change out 78 omc i/o to vp or merc c.??

If keeping the boat, the only logical updating to do is change from 1978 drives to 1982-1985 800 series stringer full mechanical shift, add ESA modules and converter boxes. It's all just bolt on changing.
1978 was the first year of the hydromechanical shift stringer which was abandoned in 1981 - the worst of the worst - many lower unit parts not available and not considered reliable anyways.

I'll bet the update has already been done on this boat though if you research what you have....

 

[Bondo]

Re: Change out 78 omc i/o to vp or merc c.??

I'll bet the update has already been done on this boat

Ayuh,........

That'd be a 'ell of a Christmas Present..............