OEM vs. Aftermarket parts

[Yegboats]

In the interest of saving $$ (Generally speaking) What aftermarket parts should be avoided, and when should you only consider OEM? Rick Stephens

 

[GA_Boater]

For me - It depends on what I'm working on. For fuel system parts and impellers, I try to use OEM because they seem to be more durable. Aftermarket works for pretty much everything else.

 

[Rick Stephens]

In the interest of saving $$ (Generally speaking) What aftermarket parts should be avoided, and when should you only consider OEM? Rick Stephens

Kind of a long list. Most rubber stuff, like bellows should be OEM. Water hoses often are just as good from aftermarket. I have seen a distinct difference between OEM lower shift cables and after market - however, I don't know if there is a longevity difference between them. Riser gasket - always OEM.

Stuff like that, seemingly no rhyme or reason, and no list I have ever seen. I think you are best asking, other than the bellows and riser gasket, those for sure.

 

[NHGuy]

I'll bite...I found the OE cap & rotor outperformed one from a major aftermarket supplier. This was on my 1988 5.7 with Thunderbolt IV ignition. Aside from that; bellows, exhaust manifold to riser gasket, bellhousing to transom hose, lower unit impeller & related. Other than those I go get good quality Chevy stuff
I have bought a couple of sets of aftermarket marine stainless core ignition wires, one for each boat. I haven't installed the 2nd set yet. I'm under construction!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Depends on the part. Mercruiser makes a bunch of parts, however buys their castings from a variety of sources, their gaskets, hoses and heat exchangers from a few suppliers. Long story short, some aftermarket parts = OEM, some dont.

What part are you looking for?

 

[Yegboats]

I work for a boat dealership that sells almost primarily OEM parts. However in the last year we have a new competitor in town close to us that sells primarily after market parts. Recently I've found myself explaining the price difference more than I would like too. Not to mention losing customers to cheaper aftermarket parts. To top it all off they sell their aftermarket parts above their actual aftermarket retail, but just cheaper than the OEM. It's so frustrating.

The only experience I've had with aftermarket parts is Sierra starters, and I've never had a problem. I'm certainly not naive to the fact that a lot of OEM parts are made by the same manufacturer as the "aftermarket". Just one example of this is 8m0060041 it's the same filter as Racor 31871 and the OEM says Racor right on it. You can buy a (2) pack on iboats for 53.00. The Merc filter retails for 45.00 for (1). The sierra 18-7981 retails (1) for 30.00 However I can tell the sierra is not made by Racor.
The parts I'm most interested in quality wise are gaskets, seals, w/p pump kits, and impellers. Any ignition components.

 

[Rick Stephens]

I work for a boat dealership that sells almost primarily OEM parts. However in the last year we have a new competitor in town close to us that sells primarily after market parts. Recently I've found myself explaining the price difference more than I would like too. Not to mention losing customers to cheaper aftermarket parts. To top it all off they sell their aftermarket parts above their actual aftermarket retail, but just cheaper than the OEM. It's so frustrating.

The only experience I've had with aftermarket parts is Sierra starters, and I've never had a problem. I'm certainly not naive to the fact that a lot of OEM parts are made by the same manufacturer as the "aftermarket". Just one example of this is 8m0060041 it's the same filter as Racor 31871 and the OEM says Racor right on it. You can buy a (2) pack on iboats for 53.00. The Merc filter retails for 45.00 for (1). The sierra 18-7981 retails (1) for 30.00 However I can tell the sierra is not made by Racor.
The parts I'm most interested in quality wise are gaskets, seals, w/p pump kits, and impellers. Any ignition components.

What he said. I'd agree completely.

Some of those folks who buy the cheaper stuff will have some poor results - many will never know the difference. It is what it is and many people will pick the cheaper just for that reason. Might even be dangerous, but cheaper is still cheaper. Kind of like my business - computer hardware. Is very tough to compete with the Amazon model where profits aren't as important as market share and support is non-existent. In the end, the whole business will change and it will work out, even if work out means some of us no longer are in business.

Rick

 

[Scott Danforth]

competition is a good thing for the consumer.

Motor gaskets and seals are usually Fel-Pro (I wont even consider sierra gaskets), Cap and Rotor type components are usually Standard Electric, Prestolite, or Delphi. The electronics - get OEM.

Water pump kits - in some cases, the Sierra components are Mercruiser or Volvo, however in many cases they are not.

Items like bellows, water pumps, outdrive components, outdrive seals - I recommend OEM.
Bearings, I pull the OEM bearing, then cut out the middlemen.
For motor related components - I go performance aftermarket