is OMC really that bad?

[ryendube]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

why purhase something that parts avail. is not gaurenteed. everyone defending OMC has said "i found junkyard blah blah ebay blah" great good for you if your a diy, but no mechanic is going to fart around looking for used parts and who wants the hassle if your not doing the work yourself?

Regardless of design pros and cons unless your willing to have to go that extra step when something breaks dont bother.

 

[parrisw]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

I love my old 82, 83, 84 slash GLM slash OMC Stringer 800. It's a hybrid for sure, because I bought a cheap piece of junk, then had to learn everything about it. Memorized it and built it and rebuilt in the daytime then dreamt about it in my sleep. A lot of the info I read was just plain BS. Like "cables stretch" which you will find on this site in re the mechanical shift issues...they don't strectch...they break...but they dont stretch...

Anyway, pound for pound OMC 800 stringers are faster, quicker on the turn, and flat racier than Mercruisers of similar era. OMC built an outdrive the way Porsche builds cars not the way Ford does.

I love the fact that people hate on OMC stringers. Sometimes people flat give them away, having no idea what they have. Watching Ebay I have about three full outdrives in parts - shift cables included - all for under a grand. Parts are plentiful - don't buy the hype. Mechanics are not.

I can't speak for the pre 79/80/81 - 800 Stringers, but from about that point on until they went bankrupt, the outdrives pure animals. The bashing comes from folks unwilling to take the time to learn how they work.

Well said, and the last part, or from people who have never owned them.

 

[KRH1326]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

Yeah, what he said!

 

[thannah84]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

I have had my 84 Stinger 400 for 4 years now....Rebuilt the upper with new seals, water pump shafts, and impeller....Parts were not hard to find at all....Also have 2 mechanics here in town that are very knowledgeable. Like stated above, if you take care of them, you shouldn't have problems. I don't care what kind of drive you have, if you get water in it, it's not gonna be good. I find them fairly simply to work on...No bellows, no gimbal bearings....Ball gears are easily viewed for inspection, tilt is simple- no hydraulics, gears are heavy heavy duty. Just my opinion...My buddy has a Merc Alpha one, and he has had his in the shop way more than mine, and his is 6 years newer....And professionally maintained where mine is maintained by myself. Matter of fact, his is in the shop right now for the second time this year. Lost forward and reverse for the second time this year...

 

[rs2k]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

I don't know of one part that you can't get brand new for the OMC 800 stringer. You can still even get brand new drives from GLM, not to mention the slew of rebuilt drives available. If you don't mind shipping the drive off there are even some places that will gladly work on the for you. I happen to know of a few local guys who still work on them though. The stringers are very easy to remove from a boat. Simply remove the shift cable, the two end caps and bumpers and the trunnions from either side and the drive comes right off. You don't even have to worry about breaking any bolts. The best part is that a boat with a missing string can still float thanks to the ball gear and boot design.

In ten years it might be difficult to find parts, but not now. Of course in ten years Mercruiser may have gone the way of the dodo by then as well.

I believe that if you're looking at a great boat with a stringer, there's no reason to pass it up just because it has a stringer, but a boat with a trashed stringer is another issue.

OMC can't be all that bad if there are still so many people unwilling to give up good running 40 year old drives.

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

Now that I've owned my '75 electric shift stringer for 4 years and done some work on it, and also having helped my FIL work on his mercruiser drive I'd say that the stringer is a less complex and easier drive for the DIY guy to work on. Fortunately I haven't had to replace any drive gears or anything that requires a 'special tool' yet, but those can still be found. I have been able to find new parts for everything so far and the motor is a 175hp ford 302 which i've liked since I had one in a '68 Mustang. I'm planning on keeping this boat a long time as it is structurally sound as a rock and rides and handles great. (Even better since I put the smart tabs on!) I have a line on a boat with a 190 drive package (same 302 block) that I want to grab just to tear the drive out and flog the hull and trailer so I have a complete spare drive package for my boat! OMC's are not for everyone, but especially for the DIY'ers they can be a great deal.

 

[parrisw]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

Now that I've owned my '75 electric shift stringer for 4 years and done some work on it, and also having helped my FIL work on his mercruiser drive I'd say that the stringer is a less complex and easier drive for the DIY guy to work on. Fortunately I haven't had to replace any drive gears or anything that requires a 'special tool' yet, but those can still be found. I have been able to find new parts for everything so far and the motor is a 175hp ford 302 which i've liked since I had one in a '68 Mustang. I'm planning on keeping this boat a long time as it is structurally sound as a rock and rides and handles great. (Even better since I put the smart tabs on!) I have a line on a boat with a 190 drive package (same 302 block) that I want to grab just to tear the drive out and flog the hull and trailer so I have a complete spare drive package for my boat! OMC's are not for everyone, but especially for the DIY'ers they can be a great deal.

Sweet man, that's the exact same setup I have in my boat. 18' Canavanture with ford 302 175hp 800stringer, 1976 I think.

 

[rs2k]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

Another two benefits of the stringer drive:

1. No stress on the transom so there's much less chance of rot because of the lack of flexing forces that other out drives place on the transom.
2. Boat stringers must be beefier to handle the extra stress of a stringer drive placed through the motor mounts.

i.e. The boat tends to be better built if they were designed for a stringer drive. I have looked at a slew of 60's 70's and 80's boats. In most cases the stringer driven boat did not suffer from rot, but I've seen TONS of rotten mercruiser powered boats from that era.



I have one electric shift stringer and two mechanical shift stringers. I like the electric shift stringer has it has been 100% trouble free, but I do not like the lack of choices presented if one ever needed to replace the pin drive prop.

 

[duke3478]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

It's kind of like GM's 700R4 transmission. If you don't know what the hell you're doing and don't adjust it right, it will eat itself. If you do, and maintain it and treat it right, it will go forever. The thing is, adjustment instructions are readily available.

 

[Paul eagen]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

Just wanted to put in my two cents. I have had 400 series stringer drive for three years now and had no trouble with it. You just have to take care of them as with any thing else. Although it is a boat, so it is more work than most things, the only thing I can think of that is more work is a wife.

 

[BLC]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

Glad to here so many defending OMC because I just bought one lately, 89 2.3L cobra. Then I found this site and every one was bashing them, had me a bit concerned about my purchase. The guy that I bought it off of is a close freind and had it since 1994 and said that the engine and drive has never been touched except for routine maintenance. Unfortunatly I am in the process of replacing the upper gear set right now, BUT that was a huge operator error on my part. (it still hurts and I don't want to talk about it ):redface: But on the bright side it will all be new
I am a diy guy and I will learn everything about my boat. This was my first stern drive boat so I was a bit hesitant to pull it apart my self, but with a good manual and lots of info from this site, It's actualy a simple set up to work on.
I'm the kind of guy that likes to know how my things work, and now I do.
Would I buy one again? Don't know, haven't had it long enough to answer that question, but for what I got, for the price I paid, Am I happy? You bet I am.

 

[sssmokin99]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

Another two benefits of the stringer drive:

1. No stress on the transom so there's much less chance of rot because of the lack of flexing forces that other out drives place on the transom.
2. Boat stringers must be beefier to handle the extra stress of a stringer drive placed through the motor mounts.

i.e. The boat tends to be better built if they were designed for a stringer drive. I have looked at a slew of 60's 70's and 80's boats. In most cases the stringer driven boat did not suffer from rot, but I've seen TONS of rotten mercruiser powered boats from that era.



I have one electric shift stringer and two mechanical shift stringers. I like the electric shift stringer has it has been 100% trouble free, but I do not like the lack of choices presented if one ever needed to replace the pin drive prop.

Hi, guys. This is my first post here, and I have an OMC 400 stringer in/out in my Carlson CVX16SS. I have to agree that there is nothing inherently wrong with this engine/outdrive. But mostly, I wanted to emphasize something that I notice some of you make a point of- that is, to get a copy of THE ORIGINAL FACTORY OMC SERVICE MANUALS!!! They are absolutely ESSENTIAL to understanding the operation, adjustment, repair, etc of these units. Yes, the GM engine (in my case) is pretty easy to figure out from a Merc manual, etc., but the rest of it sure isn't. And that original manual was very well written and illustrated, in my opinion. It wasn't cheap, but nothing in boating ever IS !!

A good plan is to buy the manuals, which are loose leaf, and put them into a suitable binder. Then, as you go along, make notes about what you do when you have problems, or do maintenance. That way you will have a log and record of what works (or doesn't) and when you last changed that oil, etc.

And thanks to everyone who I have learned from while lurking here these past few months!

 

[Don S]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

Misery loves company.
If you own an OMC, you have to be able to justify your owning one. The fact remains. OMC is Dead>>>>>>> DOESN't exist anymore.
If you can fix the drive and all the OMC stuff yourself. then you will have problems.
Why BUY that problem to begin with.
If you can't fix the drive, and there aren't any techs around to fix them. Well, you are just flat stuck with buying used junk off the internet.
Why put yourself in that position to begin with.

 

[MRS]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

You mean like the VW bugs? I also own a 67 VW I don't think they make those any more but you can still get parts for them.

 

[rs2k]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

Misery loves company.

AHHA! That explains all the Mercruisers.

 

[jkgregg]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

If you have had an OMC for a hundred years and took care of it. Sure it will give you great service.
But will the boat you buy from someone you don't know, but yet it's real cheap, been taken care of like that........ I doubt it.
People sell boats with locked up engine and drives, water in bellows, cracked blocks and all of them say "Runs great"

That circus guy was right, there is one born every minute.

amen. i was sold a complete pile of rust. i dont have time to list all the things that have gone wrong with my boat. but, i will say that EVERYTHING HAS BROKE! i have spent the last three weeks dumping cash into my boat. was it worth it??? idk. i am now able to take the family out on the lake for a day. but, remember i have replaced almost everything from electrical wires to a new motor. i will say this, the item that i have had the least amount time/cash etc on is the omc cobra. just had to replace a few maintence items but it has not failed as of yet. i spent two hours last night on the lake jsut cruising around. everything seemed to work fine.

however, the question is would i buy another omc? most likely not. i have not had any problems finding parts but i am so scared from reading on iboats that my next boat will be something different. the one part i am keeping under my pillow this winter is the exhaust manifold. i cant replace that for less than a grand. so i will make sure it is safe all winter.

 

[rs2k]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

I have found new manifold kits - 2x risers, 2x manifolds and 2x gaskets for around $400 for SBCs. What kind of engine needs a $1600 manifold? An exhaust manifold is a wear item if you go out into the ocean.

I don't think your problem has to do with it being an OMC. I think the previous owner just didn't take care of it. I've seen quite a few of cracked blocks around Wichita. It got pretty close to 0? the last two or three winters.

 

[fishseeker]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

I bought a project boat that had a OMC. Got the boat home and pulled the stuff out(had to anyway,doing transom?stringers) sold everything for what I paid for the boat. Will be pluging the hole and going Mercruiser.Would not have bought it if I wasn't doing a restore. Looking for a donor boat for power now. Just my 2 pennys.

 

[Don S]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

AHHA! That explains all the Mercruisers.

Mercruiser still exists. Can't say that about OMC Sterndrives. They became NLA over 10 years ago.

So what's your point.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: is OMC really that bad?

I hate these threads, yet it's ironic I still read through them.... outcome will never change.