OMC SternDrive Alternative?

[1977SeaRay]

I have just bought a decent shape 77 V-197, I got a great bargain on the boat, because of the high cost of the complete stern drive it needs.<br />Do I have any alternatives to spending 3500 on a rebuilt unit? i.e. Should I be considering converting to a unit other than OMC, where perhaps parts, service, etc. are more readily available, both now and down the road? The motor is a Ford V-8, unable as yet to identify exactly what.

 

[rbezdon]

Re: OMC SternDrive Alternative?

Search the site for this info, there are a bunch of postings. Basic answer is you are pretty much stuck with the OMC, especially that old one. Get the numbers off the drive and post them and you'll get a better answer. I am betting you will be getting the rebuilt OMC and not tackling the conversion as most of them require repalcing the transome first and the cut a new hole. I know later OMC Cobras can be changed to Volvo SX drives but the cost is over double the number you posted for the rebuilt. I sure hope you basically paid nothing for the boat and are ready, willing and ABLE to do the work your self or even free is not going to be a good enough price to have paid.

 

[1977SeaRay]

Re: OMC SternDrive Alternative?

Thanks for the reply Ron, yes fortunately I only paid 100 bucks for it on the trailer. The stern drive model # 990231G.<br /><br />Rebuilding the transom to begin with sounds like a larghe job, so that does not seem the obvious way for me. Rebuilding an old sterndrive does sound like something I could tackle, but from what I hear so far, stern drive mechanics seem to be elevated to a pedestal up there with formula one mechanics, so maybe I just need to save up and cough up? <br />Brian

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: OMC SternDrive Alternative?

or wait for another $100 boat with a blown engine and buy it for the drive...

 

[marunr]

Re: OMC SternDrive Alternative?

Originally posted by 1977SeaRay:<br /> Rebuilding an old sterndrive does sound like something I could tackle, but from what I hear so far, stern drive mechanics seem to be elevated to a pedestal up there with formula one mechanics, so maybe I just need to save up and cough up? <br />Brian

A lot of that has to do with the cost of the special tools you need to do the job.

 

[Bondo]

Re: OMC SternDrive Alternative?

fortunately I only paid 100 bucks for it on the trailer.

A Trailer for $100.00 Isn't such a Bad Deal,.......... <br /><br />Basicly,..... The Entire Driveline needs to be Replaced......<br />Nobody is using Ford Power anymore,....<br />Of Course,... That old OMC was a Marginal Drive in the 1st place,... $o $pending Thou$andS of Dollar$ to Re$tore a Dino$aur $eem$ counter-productive To Me.........<br /><br />It Might be a Good Time for You to become an Ebay Powerseller................. <br />There are some people out there Still Trying to Patch up that Old Iron,......<br />I've got Several I'd like to See Gone........

 

[rbezdon]

Re: OMC SternDrive Alternative?

I agree, part it out on ebay to the guys desperate for those old Ford parts and what ever ig good on the drive. Keep the trailer for 100, good deal for that and use the profits toward a better boat. Seems the guy that sold ot to you already figured it out!!!

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: OMC SternDrive Alternative?

I could find a home for a 351 ...JK

 

[1977SeaRay]

Re: OMC SternDrive Alternative?

Thanks for the info, all, I will have to digest all this for a while, hate to kill off the dream just yet....<br />Brian

 

[Phantom17]

Re: OMC SternDrive Alternative?

Before you dream of that day in the sun too much.....and especially before it turns into the nightmare day in the sun, get rid of the drive. <br />You really will be disappointed with the time, money and aggrivation in pouring $$$ into this. Sorry, just trying to be helpful. Pour a stiff one, and check the classifieds, a bunch of boats are coming up for sale this time of year and you'll have it ready to go for the spring.-Jeff

 

[1977SeaRay]

Re: OMC SternDrive Alternative?

I notice there is no one suggesting removing the inboard motor and just putting on a large (90hp?)<br />outboard? Again, I'm not interested in going fast, just to reliably drive the family around the lake. Does anyone have any experience on doing this, or is it just a bad idea for some obvious reason I can't see? I do appreciate the straight talk I'm getting here.<br />Brian

 

[MSmith3615]

Re: OMC SternDrive Alternative?

Well if ya do that I would suggest alittle more power than a 90hp. A 90hp is underpowered for that boat. You also would have to due alot of work on transom. Since you would have a big hole in transom where sterndrive was, but I guess you could do it.

 

[1977SeaRay]

Re: OMC SternDrive Alternative?

Reply to J.kopec...<br />Seattle is a long way from Loveland, Colorado, so I guess It's not real likely you would be buying it, but according to the firing order, it is a 351. Any idea how much the whole motor is worth?<br />Or do two green grins mean you were only kidding?<br />Brian

 

[Phantom17]

Re: OMC SternDrive Alternative?

They say you can fill in the transom. I have been looking at alteratives for this myself, but that is a H U G E hole to fill, and then the weight of an OB on it. I'm a bit weary of it, even from an ex fiberglass repair bodyman....(I hate Corvetts)....<br /><br />I guess if you cut the hole at 45 degrees, countersunk some lags (make sure the filler (probably wood) is a bit thinner than the transom, then glassed in the area (grind it wider than the hole a couple of inches) and sanded it all down nice, then primed filled and painted it, you'd be OK. But thats a lot of extra for a "fix".

 

[Bondo]

Re: OMC SternDrive Alternative?

You'd Still have to build in Knee Braces from the Transom to the Stringers to support the Weight,+ Leverage of the Motor,.... And a Long Setback Jack to clear the transom when the Motor is Trimmed,.. Or Tilted...............<br />And Then,........ The Center of Gravity is Too Far Back,+ the boat Handles like Crap............<br /><br />It's Almost Easier to Refit a Mercruiser into it............Been There,..... Done It,........ Doing It...........

 

[supercab78]

Re: OMC SternDrive Alternative?

1977searay; I've owned a 1975 searay OMC for 20 years. How do you know the whole outdrive is bad? It's basicly three seperate units that go together to make one. If you only need one of the three the cost might not be so bad. Would you be able to work on it youself?

 

[1977SeaRay]

Re: OMC SternDrive Alternative?

supercab78; The boat came without any of the outdrive: only has the part that sits in the seal.<br />I'm glad to hear that one is still going, though.<br />My plan at this point is to not do anything rash, and see what comes along, without spending too much. I like the boat because it is the right size, big enough for the family to sleep on, at a pinch.<br />thanks for your input.