OMC to Mercury conversion

[73Steury]

Has anyone done a conversion from OMC to Mercury. I have a 78 Grady White with an OMC 5.0. I've read many bad things about stringer drives. I have access to a Mercury outdrive with lass than 400 hours. The drive has the bell housing, transom mount and drive. I need exhaust manifolds and the hoses to the drive. Can I reuse the steering components and water pump assembly from the OMC? Both are 5.0 Chevy engines.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC to Mercury conversion

before you worry about that stuff, you'll need to fill your boat's transom in with plywood and fiberglass, and recut the hole for a Mercruiser drive

Can I reuse the steering components and water pump assembly

you lost me there. the OMC drive has an impeller inside it
the Mercruiser drive has an impeller inside it
so nothing to reuse
you mean the circulating pump on the front of the engine? Yes, you can use that. if you are using the same engine there is no need to remove it

Steering is completely different. If you have power steering on your OMC, the helm cable and wheel can stay, but if you have drum/cable trucourse, everything is different......Even the steering wheel will have to change.

 

[Bondo]

Re: OMC to Mercury conversion

I have access to a Mercury outdrive with lass than 400 hours.

Ayuh,... Which Mercruiser drive,..??