please advise....OMC SWAP TO MERCRUISER, Possible???

[izzylatino]

I have a 1986 invader cuddy...it came with a OMC 3.0 AND OMC Stern drive.... The engine is siezed...someine offered a merccruiser 120.... it looks so much like my block and head... please advise if at all possible to bolt this engine to the OMC STERN DRIVE with not too many complications...any advise would be deeply appreiciated.

 

[alldodge]

I have a 1986 invader cuddy...it came with a OMC 3.0 AND OMC Stern drive.... The engine is siezed...someine offered a merccruiser 120.... it looks so much like my block and head... please advise if at all possible to bolt this engine to the OMC STERN DRIVE with not too many complications...any advise would be deeply appreiciated.

The short answer is no, the only thing that will swap is the long block, So if you take the all your stuff off your engine and install it on the Merc it could work. That said check to make sure the exhaust manifold will fit

 

[izzylatino]

Thank you Alldodge...If I may pic your brain a bit more... I do understand per the exhaust warning and will double check that first...what about the OMC STERN DRIVE...should I haVe any issues attaching the exsisting stern drive to that block??

 

[wrench 3]

As long as you change the flywheel, coupler and bell housing, along with all the other stuff from the old engine,you should be fine. But you will have to make sure that the bolt pattern is the same on both flywheels.

 

[southkogs]

Welcome aboard Izzy:

Just to make sure - I think '86 was the last year of the Stringer. Do you have a OMC Stringer (big rubber boot on the back) or a Cobra? If you've got a Stringer, you've got a very big hole in your transom to deal with.

 

[Boomyal]

Welcome aboard Izzy:

Just to make sure - I think '86 was the last year of the Stringer. Do you have a OMC Stringer (big rubber boot on the back) or a Cobra? If you've got a Stringer, you've got a very big hole in your transom to deal with.

Aktchooly southkogs, '85 was the last year of the Stringer. Some boat manufacturers may have had some end run Stringers in '86 but I think they were short lived for most '86 model year boats.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Moot point, as long as only the Long Blocks are swapped,....

 

[southkogs]

Aktchooly southkogs, '85 was the last year of the Stringer. Some boat manufacturers may have had some end run Stringers in '86 but I think they were short lived for most '86 model year boats.

Oh ... my bad. Thought it was '86.

Carry on

 

[izzylatino]

First of all many thanks to you all...i think i will go this way...change out the long block and along with flywheel and coupler ...reuse the exsisting OMC stern drive... and take my time rebuilding the Original engine... as long as exhuast fits I am hoping this will work...again many thanks and I shall get back to you all with my results....

 

[izzylatino]

And yes it is the stringer...big rubber boot.... i shall be using that as well...so hopefully no need to deal with the big hole issue as I'll be reusing that OMC stern drive assembly

 

[Scott Danforth]

And yes it is the stringer...big rubber boot.... i shall be using that as well...so hopefully no need to deal with the big hole issue as I'll be reusing that OMC stern drive assembly

If that is the case, you need to make sure the 2.5 liter is about the same vintage as the 3.0. there is no OMC coupler for the newer cranks.

 

[Bondo]

If that is the case, you need to make sure the 2.5 liter is about the same vintage as the 3.0. there is no OMC coupler for the newer cranks.

Ayuh,.... Pre-1990,.....

 

[izzylatino]

Yes it is the same vintage...thank you for your advise...I just wish some day I am able to repay you all for your deeply needed advise... God bless your hearts

 

[izzylatino]

Greetings higher rankers....hope all is well...update...so far 2.5 has been removed and exhaust has been verified...gasket does line up perfectly.....thats a good thing... but am wondering if anyone can forward me a link for a service manual or otherwise a youtube link that can assist me onremoving the omc sterndrive...I have no clue on where to start... it is the stringer unit...please advise

 

[southkogs]

I would highly recommend you go look HERE. They should have the manual you need. I don't know the process for removing that shift cable you've got, but I do know it's expensive to do it wrong