Converting 1977 OMC Stringer electric to newer cobra drive.

[calh]

I should have read the post in this forum first before I bought this boat. 1978 19' Century Cuddy Cabin. 235HP I/O OMC Stringer Electric shift Drive. My question is what options are their for conversion to a different drive, like a newer cobra? The present stringer drive pops in and out of gear and takes out the shear pin some times. It also has metel in the oil, so I know that it's probably done for. I can't see putting much money into the drive,as it must be prone to problems. The boat is nice, but the drive sucks. Any suggestions? P.S the engine is a 351 Ford that is in good shape.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Converting 1977 OMC Stringer electric to newer cobra drive.

Converting to the Newer Cobra is the Same amount of work as Converting to a Mercruiser...........<br />So,<br />Why convert to a Cobra.........<br />It's Still an Out Of Production Drive............

 

[jimmbo]

Re: Converting 1977 OMC Stringer electric to newer cobra drive.

The biggest job will be making the transom strong enough to handle the Cobra/Volvo or Crusier mounting system. That means more than a wood plug to fill that big hole left after the OMC is gone. Talk to a shop that knows its fibreglass.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Converting 1977 OMC Stringer electric to newer cobra drive.

I see some electric shift lowers on ebay from time to time. That may be your only real option if you want to keep the boat and do not want to service the existing unit.

 

[calh]

Re: Converting 1977 OMC Stringer electric to newer cobra drive.

Thanks for the comments. I have a couple more questions for you knowledgeable I/O guys. The hour meter on the boat shows 745 hrs,isn't this rather low hours for a 1978 boat? From the general condition and what the guy I got it from told me,I believe that it was taken care of. So would this drive shoot craps with that many hours? And also does anybody have any good comments about these drives?

 

[tommays]

Re: Converting 1977 OMC Stringer electric to newer cobra drive.

it not a question of its bad in 1978 it was a good drive but its out of production and new drives have had 26 years to become much better drives with far less problems<br /><br />i dont think any brand of 1978 drive is going to worth putting big money into<br /><br />tommays

 

[Alexo1us]

Re: Converting 1977 OMC Stringer electric to newer cobra drive.

Fix it if you like the boat dump it if don't.<br />Unless you buy new the shop rates are the same if you don't do it yourself and parts. <br />Parts for for older machines are not any more expencive unless your supplier is trying to rip you off. And from my experence not much harder to get ether. I had lotso fun with mine this year finally got her fixed to me she is worth it she a very nice ride I did all the work myself.<br />Got maby 200 in parts. wasn't hard to get them ether lots of aftermaket parts out there. and some enginuity as well for example my head gasket is from a merc 140 and I run a 120 OMC didn't want to wait the long weekend for the gasket about 20 hrs on it now and still working fine.<br />Just wanted to add that do not beleive the hype that they are not as good as the rest they are. <br />Alex

 

[tommays]

Re: Converting 1977 OMC Stringer electric to newer cobra drive.

if it could be repiared for 200 dollars everybody would still be runing them and they would be the best drive every made at this point its more like 2000 dollars worth of parts gears and shafts are big dollars for old or new drives<br /><br />tommays

 

[Alexo1us]

Re: Converting 1977 OMC Stringer electric to newer cobra drive.

Originally posted by tommays:<br /> if it could be repiared for 200 dollars everybody would still be runing them and they would be the best drive every made at this point its more like 2000 dollars worth of parts gears and shafts are big dollars for old or new drives<br /><br />tommays

Not saying all repairs are cheap but they are no more expecive then the rest.<br />Mine was only 200.00 parts labour was mine.<br />Alex

 

[Rainmaker]

Re: Converting 1977 OMC Stringer electric to newer cobra drive.

Larry,<br />IMHO it's Mercruiser or a bracket and an outboard. Don't commit to OMC sterndrive, especially Stringers. They have a history of problems, and now parts are becoming very hard to find. I speak from experience, having owned one for 6 years or so. Although I enjoy mechanics, I had to work on it a little too often. Would have liked to use it more and have the parts money for other things.<br /><br />An outboard would leave lots of under-deck storage.<br />mike

 

[Drew44]

Re: Converting 1977 OMC Stringer electric to newer cobra drive.

I wanted to ask the same thing. I have a '77 Sea Ray cuddy 351w 235 thats in GREAT shap for her age. I love this boat but not the out drive. Did you have any luck on the convertion? How much did it cost?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Converting 1977 OMC Stringer electric to newer cobra drive.

I wanted to ask the same thing.

Ayuh,.. Then start your Own thread,+ ask away.... Welcome Aboard,...

August 17th, 2004

The archives are for Learnin'... Not posting too....