OMC or Don't OMC ?

[Torontocity]

hi all...iwas planning to buy a 1988 bayliner with COBRA OMC i/o,
i spoke with a machanic who said BAD IDEA!!
there is no parts for it and very expencive....I like the boat but i'm scared now..What to Do? any advice will help..THX!!!

 

[thewooddogg]

Re: OMC or Don't OMC ?

Uh-oh... Hopefully we don't get too many flames.

This question has been asked quite a bit on the forum. A search will get you lots of info. Basically, it boils down to this:

1.) OMC is gone.. parts are still available, but sometimes rare and more expensive then Mercruiser (there's even a few said to be completely unavailable.) It will probably only get worse as time goes on.

2.) OMC's dog clutch mechanism is different (pre-1994). There are lots of competent boat mechanics that can easily fix Mercruiser or Volo's but they don't know how to adjust or fix an OMC correctly. Therefore, it's not uncommon to hear about gearcases ruined from something as simple as an adjustment.

That being said, I love my OMC. I lucked out and got a boat that had been taken care of and I've done lots of reading on how to fix it myself. However, if I was going to do it all over again I might have eliminated OMC's from my search criteria. It would simply make life a little easier knowing I can download manuals, buy parts anywhere, and know that every shop can fix a Mercruiser.

 

[Don S]

Re: OMC or Don't OMC ?

If it has a 460 Ford with King Cobra, RUN
Everything else, walk away from.
About all parts are available as aftermarket except for the 460.
Since parts aren't the problem in most cases, finding someone qualified with the proper training for outdrive repairs and having the proper special tools to do the job is going to be the problem. Engines are basic Ford and Chevy small block engines, no real OMC specific parts. But the drive system is going to be the big downfall, especially if you don't do your own work or have OEM service manuals.

 

[Torontocity]

Re: OMC or Don't OMC ?

I Thank You Very Much...Seems like i would'nt be getting a boat this soon..THX

 

[thewooddogg]

Re: OMC or Don't OMC ?

Sorry to hear that! Keep looking and reading though! Lots of great information on these forums that can help with your decision!

Welcome to iboats by the way!

 

[Torontocity]

Re: OMC or Don't OMC ?

Thanks All..I'm Really Glad To find this site...

 

[ziggy]

Re: OMC or Don't OMC ?

Seems like i would'nt be getting a boat this soon..

i dunno man. there's lots a mercruisers and volvos out there. just look for something that's common. something everyone else has..... there's lotsa boats out there that meet the criteria... ya just eliminated a few so ya can narrow in on what ya want......

 

[Bondo]

Re: OMC or Don't OMC ?

hi all...iwas planning to buy a 1988 bayliner with COBRA OMC i/o,
i spoke with a machanic who said BAD IDEA!!
I like the boat but i'm scared now..What to Do? any advice will help..THX!!!

Ayuh,.......

Listen to your Mechanic,.......... He's a very Wise Man....................

 

[4winnsskipper]

Re: OMC or Don't OMC ?

Ayuh,.......

Listen to your Mechanic,.......... He's a very Wise Man....................

look at it this way, OMC is out of business for a reason. they are "the suxxors"

 

[thewooddogg]

Re: OMC or Don't OMC ?

I wouldn't go that far.. OMC made some nice stuff for a very long time.

 

[Don S]

Re: OMC or Don't OMC ?

look at it this way, OMC is out of business for a reason. they are "the suxxors"

I'm with wooddog. The drives were fine when they work, problem is, if you have problems (Nothing different than Merc or Volvo) and you can't find someone to fix them, what do you do?
If you have some basic mechanical skills and tools and plan on working on one yourself, you will need an OEM service manual to guide you and most of the normal service items are very much a DIY project. But things like rebuilding drives aren't. That takes special tools. Without those tools and the ability to use them properly, you are just throwing a lot of parts at something and it will fail again shortly.