omc out drive question

[Swampdawg805]

last night i bought a 1982 malibu daycruiser 21' boat. i learned a lesson on my first boat purchase dont buy a boat at night. i noticed that the omc out drive had a crack on each side of the case behind the prop housing that looks like something inside pushed outward causing the cracks. it has a 350 small block with an omc out drive. im looking to replace the bottom drive but am not sure exactly the model i have. the model number i could see on the drive is 980705. if anyone could point me in the right direction i would appriciate it

 

[southkogs]

Mechanical shift Stringer most likely is your drive - obsoleted around 1985. You can find the OMC model number on a tag on the engine. It'll read something like 502SPHCCNG 1982.

What kinda' shape is the hull in? The stringer was obsolete by 1985, and OMC was gone by the 1990s. You're into a vintage sterndrive and they can be a little finicky to take care of. If the hull is in rough shape, you may want to bail out now and find an alternative boat.

Welcome aboard.

 

[Bondo]

i learned a lesson on my first boat purchase dont buy a boat at night.

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,...... Unfortunately, lesson #2 is never buy a boat with an OMC outdrive, especially an old one,.....

 

[Scott Danforth]

. if anyone could point me in the right direction i would appriciate it

First, realize that you may need to fork out about $1000 for a good used stringer 800 lower....... That is in a 39 year old boat that may have other issues.

You probably have transom and stringer rot as well

The stringer drive has a few design flaws (besides being obsolete for over 36 years)

The shift cable is easily damaged and will cost $750 if you ever need one

The 3-piece vertical drive shaft splines tend to wear and if the shafts have not been replaced, you may want to inspect them. Lots of special tools are needed

We need pics of the damage. If the damage is superficial, and only the case near the bearing carrier is cracked, it can be welded up

Most likely the drive was stored up over winter and held water.

If you dont love the boat, i would consider selling it or parting it out. If you absolutely love the boat, we can help, just realize it may cost you more than what you paid for the boat in the first place

 

[Swampdawg805]

Thank you guys for the info. it is greatly appreciated. I am now looking a lower drive. When I pulled the drain plug for the drive oil it was full of water and metal chunks. I'm sure the shafts have never been replaced. I am going to order a water pump kit and replace that as well. The hull and the floor all feel pretty goo. The engine runs pretty good as well for being an omc 350. All else fails I might look for a newer boat with a blown engine and a good drive that I can swap my engine in to

 

[Scott Danforth]

The problem with a stringer..... You have a hole in the transom that you can drive a buick 225 thru. There isnt another drive that will fit that hole

If you want to change drives, you need to rebuild the transom and half the inside of the boat. Along with the drive you will be replacing. Everything attached to the longblock and all the attaching bits.

The only thing you would keep is the block and heads

As far as just replacing the lower, you need to inspect the upper as well.

When it comes to the impeller, you need to inspect the housing. I always recommend a complete waterpump kit with housing, etc.

Get a factory manual so you do not damage the shift cables

https://www.outboardbooks.com/