Is there anything good to be said about OMC outdrives.

[1923waterbug]

I know Merc has it's share of problems but is OMC that much worse.

Are there any good ones?

I'm looking at a 70's with a 351 Cleveland.

 

[danond]

Re: Is there anything good to be said about OMC outdrives.

Yes, stay away if you can. The old OMC trim/tilt and drive systems are troublesome and challenging to maintain, very hard to find some parts and mechanics are getting scarce.

OMC Cobra is the only drive with reasonable support, but those were made in the late 80's to mid 90's, not the 70's.

I have an OMC Cobra and I have no complaints. If I have the boat long enough that the drive ever fails, I will be moving to a Merc setup.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Is there anything good to be said about OMC outdrives.

Is there anything good to be said about OMC outdrives

1964-1985:
unparallelled turning radius - full 180 degrees lock to lock
easiest non-power assist steering in the business with tru-course
trim possible with no hydraulic cylinders under water
selectrimtrim allows easy access to change engine oil filter and open drain plugs for winterizing
higher tilt than all other drives

I can put a positive spin on anything.
However, I can't think of a single feature or benefit on behalf of the Cobra over a Merc.
Unless you think a snake emblem is cool...

is OMC that much worse.

yes, it is

Are there any good ones?

No, not compared to Merc, but some are definitely better than others

70's with a 351 Cleveland.

That's NOT one of the better ones. A Ford and an electric or hydroshift stringer...
I'd name the boat "Insult to Injury"

My fave OMG strictly for performance and seat of the pants shift and steering (not serviceability or parts availablity), are the 1981-1985 Full mechanical shift 800 series drives when behind a Chevy V6 or V8 in a small runabout.
Butter smooth shifting, tight turning, easy steering, quiet running.

I wouldn't advise anyone buy one though.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Is there anything good to be said about OMC outdrives.

The Cobra drives were not all bad.I actually liked the one i used to own after installing a new shift cable and the correct adjustments.
It was so EASY to change the impeller.....that was a good point..

 

[1923waterbug]

Re: Is there anything good to be said about OMC outdrives.

Thanks, I'm going to pass on that boat.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Is there anything good to be said about OMC outdrives.

It was so EASY to change the impeller.....that was a good point..

Absolutely the best Cobra feature.

 

[Backyardhockey]

Re: Is there anything good to be said about OMC outdrives.

Anything good to say? Yes, they don't make them anymore!

 

[rjwoodrome]

Re: Is there anything good to be said about OMC outdrives.

Funny,... My poor old 1985 Penn Yann has a omc, change the fluids twice a season operates smooth so far.

 

[Don S]

Re: Is there anything good to be said about OMC outdrives.

When the Cobra's work, they are fine. The problem is with what happens when you do have drive problems.
OMC now stands for Obsolete Marine Corp. since they went out ouf buisness over 10 years ago. NO Factory oem parts, and NO new trained service techs.
No schooling, and the older Cobra guys are getting few and farther between.
Many of the Ford parts are NLA, like Exhaust and couplers on some models (Like the 460) if it isn't supplied by an aftermarket manufacturer, then you get stuck looking for used, and that is not always good either.
Same with Mercruiser, lots of the parts for the older stuff is NLA and you are stuck with used or getting things "On the spot" engineered.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Is there anything good to be said about OMC outdrives.

No schooling, and the older Cobra guys are getting few and farther between.

That to me is the bottom line with the OMC stuff. Unless you can work on these yourself - it is becoming increasingly difficult to find anyone willing, much less competently able, to work on them.