Omc or merc

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invader86

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i have a 86 invader with a omc cobra stern drive and considering switching to a merc? good idea bad idea? is it a easy switch?
 
Kainon

Kainon

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Re: Omc or merc

Not an easy switch, would require fiberglass work on the boat. Engines are the same, it's the outdrives that are differnet, I believe the Cobras are a good drive, actually I would choose VP over Merc, though right now I'm a Merc guy.
 
H

HT32BSX115

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Re: Omc or merc

Kainon said:
Not an easy switch, would require fiberglass work on the boat. Engines are the same, it's the outdrives that are differnet, I believe the Cobras are a good drive, actually I would choose VP over Merc, though right now I'm a Merc guy.
Click to expand...


If it's a Cobra, it's a VERY EASY switch. (you sure it's a Cobra? 86 was the first year for them)



No fiberglass work required at all (unless you discover a rotten transom, stringers, etc....... before and after pics at the bottom.




Cobras are NOT good drives (any more).

They were when there was a company behind them and people who worked on them went to OEM schools etc.

That is no longer the case.


VP might be OK but finding used and after market parts for a VP is somewhat more difficult.

Do a search on EBAY Motors: BOAT PARTS for "Mercruiser" and "Volvo"..........

On any given day, you'll find nearly 3 TIMES more Mercruiser parts than for Volvo. (today it was about 11100 to about 4400)


There's NOTHING wrong with Volvo.

When I swapped out my 460 King Cobra and bolted in the Mercruiser 454/Bravo, I looked for a Volvo BBC DPS combo. I never found one. I did find (locally) several SBC/BBC Bravo I/II/III setups of various years...

SO I bought one!


Cheers,


Rick
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Bondo

Bondo

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Re: Omc or merc

Ayuh,... I Agree completely with Rick, but I'll add,...

If you Swap, it means Swappin' EVERYTHING from the Pulleys to the Prop....

The headaches, 'n heartaches of marrying an OMC dressed motor to a Merc drive, just Ain't worth the Troubles....
 
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invader86

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Re: Omc or merc

thanks for all the info i did find out that my drive is not a cobra its before and my mechanic said pre cobra was way better and my drive alone is very valuable but i asked him and there is alot of give and take as far as parts are very available for mercs but some aren't as reliable any comment on that? :D
 
QC

QC

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Re: Omc or merc

invader86 said:
my mechanic said pre cobra was way better and my drive alone is very valuable but i asked him and there is alot of give and take as far as parts are very available for mercs but some aren't as reliable any comment on that? :D
Click to expand...
I would expect a lot of comments :eek: The "way better" thing for what we call a "Stringer" is . . . uh . . . not so much. This is the drive that requires fiberglass work and you are pretty much stuck. The only reason it is worth something is that parts are so hard to find that they are valuable. Yes, they can be had, and people sell them on eBay and elsewhere 24/7, but just be aware you are not in any real position to consider a Merc replacement . . .

Sorry to be frank, but kind of the deal ;)
 
ezmobee

ezmobee

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Re: Omc or merc

If you have a pre-cobra drive then I'm pretty sure that's a Stringer drive. You will not be able to easily convert that to a Mercruiser set-up without major modifications to the boat which would quite honestly not be worth it.
 
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invader86

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Re: Omc or merc

You guys are just full of good news:( but i guess it is what it is thanks again is there any benefit to take out the omc 5.7 and replace with a merc engine? or is that just a whole new world of problems?
:confused:
 
H

HT32BSX115

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Re: Omc or merc

invader86 said:
You guys are just full of good news:( but i guess it is what it is thanks again is there any benefit to take out the omc 5.7 and replace with a merc engine? or is that just a whole new world of problems?
:confused:
Click to expand...


Well, you can replace it with most ANY 5.7 GM V-8 engine. You'll just have to use all the OMC accessories bolted to the old one.
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Re: Omc or merc

Ayuh,.... Like I've already said,... Mixin' Merc, 'n OMC Ain't worth the headaches, 'n heartaches......
Your first question is about the same as tryin' to put a Chevy transmission in a Ford pickup truck...
Your 2nd question equates to puttin' a Toyota motor in a Dodge pickup truck...

There really ain't no Mixin' 'n Matchin' like that...
 
I

invader86

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Re: Omc or merc

Bondo i would do a full replacement to all merc not mix matching i have just heard lots of bad reviews on certain years of merc
is there one better then another? but i get what your saying they would just cause more issues by not being designed to go together:D
 
Bondo

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Re: Omc or merc

Ayuh,... You want a Complete driveline, Volvo or Mercruiser, with a Chevy based motor...
For Mercruiser, I'd say 83 or Later model.. With a Chevy based motor...

Buy a runnin' Donor boat,... That way you get ALL the pieces...
 
ezmobee

ezmobee

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Re: Omc or merc

An entire Merc driveline ain't gonna do you a lick of good in a boat set up for a Stringer....
 
Bondo

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Re: Omc or merc

ezmobee said:
An entire Merc driveline ain't gonna do you a lick of good in a boat set up for a Stringer....
Click to expand...

Ayuh,... Alittle plywood, 'n resin, 'n glass can fix That....

I've done several, with several more in the works....;)
 
F

full stringer

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Nov 8, 2009
Messages
184
Re: Omc or merc

if you do the anually maintenance on that stringer outdrive it will last many good years the turning radius is awsome on em steering is smooth as silk only thing is you must must must split the drive upper and lower and grease the water pump shaft splines but once a year is ok maybe two years if less than say 30 hours
 
I

invader86

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Re: Omc or merc

i really would like to keep the stinger and the boat has only 144hrs. but its been sitting in storage for 10 years i hope i dont need any major over hauling
 
I

invader86

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Re: Omc or merc

So after further inspection block seized and bearings shot looks like merc here i come?does anyone have any good suggestions about where to get omc engines and are these reverse turn?
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Re: Omc or merc

looks like merc here i come?

does anyone have any good suggestions about where to get omc engines and are these reverse turn?
Click to expand...

Ayuh,... The motors are standard CCW...
Which is it yer Doin',..??
Searchin' a replacement OMC, or Merc swap,..??
 
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