Please rate OMC outdrives

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Please rate OMC outdrives

The OMC is a good drive. The early drives were overdesigned.But serviacable.
Some time in the early 90's the started using Volvos Cone Clutch system.This greatly increased the reliability and (my opinon)value.
They are a Volvo drive with an OMC name.Much better unit.
Some people shouldn't be allowed to comment if they can be constructive.
Buying?? I wouldn't unless it's the cone clutch drive.
They are a lot more dependable,and easier to work on.(my opinion)
The Cobra mechnics are retiring or dying off pretty quick.
There are a lots of Cobra fans.I myself like Volvo or Mercruiser.
Outboards I will buy American everyday. I have twin Force outboards on my 21.

 

[sam60]

Re: Please rate OMC outdrives

Found this at GLMmarine

The new Cobra/Volvo hybrid sterndrive shared only the transom assembly with the 1986-1992 OMC Cobra. Everything behind the transom plate bell housing was Volvo engineering. Realistically, with the introduction of this sterndrive in 1993, we can say that the OMC sterndrive engineers were put out of business when the last of the OMC designed sterndrives finished production in 1992. On December 23rd 1998, Volvo purchased the Lexington, Tennessee factory and all of the production rights to the OMC sterndrives, thus officially ending the OMC sterndrive business.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Please rate OMC outdrives

Found this at GLMmarine

The new Cobra/Volvo hybrid sterndrive shared only the transom assembly with the 1986-1992 OMC Cobra. Everything behind the transom plate bell housing was Volvo engineering. Realistically, with the introduction of this sterndrive in 1993, we can say that the OMC sterndrive engineers were put out of business when the last of the OMC designed sterndrives finished production in 1992. On December 23rd 1998, Volvo purchased the Lexington, Tennessee factory and all of the production rights to the OMC sterndrives, thus officially ending the OMC sterndrive business.

It's really of no use to argue the merits of what people "think" of OMC drives, engines, etc since they no longer exist. There is however, a LOT of history on the origin of ALL popular modern marine sterndrives, but it doesn't help much either.

It's interesting to note that all sterndrive "roads" lead back to Carl Kiekhaefer and Mercury Marine.

You can read all about it in the book "Iron Fist", by Rodengen.

Iron Fist, by Rodengen. It is a biography of the life of Carl Kiekhaefer the founder of Mercury Marine. Chapter 26 (pages 360 to 379) is titled, "The Great Stern Drive Conspiracy."

Stern Drive The Invention of the Stern Drive

The only thing I get out of it is that the Stern Drive was conceived and designed by a very small group of people. They then moved out and either sold some or all of the ideas to other companies who either made production models or sold it to big companies that made it happen...... they all improved the original designs....

There's only a few of those companies left now. Mercury, Volvo(Marine), and some specialty racing drive companies who produce incredibly expensive "copies" that are made MUCH stronger than the consumer drives available to all the rest of us.

Please rate OMC outdrives

Back to the OP's request.

Ok....

OMC Outdrives rating: 1, 2, 3


1= usable, serviceable junk.

2= usable, unserviceable junk.

3= unusable, unserviceable junk,


If you can still buy most parts and find people to (or you can) fix your drive, You have a 1!!

But a 1 can become 2 or a 3 very quickly......and eventually (not-to-distant-future) ALL the 1's WILL BE 3's!


What does all this mean? probably nothing.

If it is just design that you are asking about, sam, then I think it is your drive, Cone clutch Cobra. I think why people react poorly is basically what would you do with that info? Go buy another one? I am an old Stringer user, and I liked some of their features, but I would NEVER recommend one. Just too easy to get a decent Merc or Vovlo. That's why these threads always go stupid.

Sort of like oil threads......



Yeah, if someone tells me they are buying a boat with OMC and I/O anywhere in the description.................. I try my best to talk them out of it!




ymmv.....



Rick

 

[sam60]

Re: Please rate OMC outdrives

I know a retired Marine Mechanic with a bunch of old OMC stuff and outdrives. He's in his late 80's and I was wondering if I could help him out by assisting in selling the parts. He has forgot more than he can remember. He has an old 888 mercruiser outdrive that is just like the one on my Dad's old tri-hull when I was a kid.

Thanks for the advice all.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Please rate OMC outdrives

My old time OMC mechanic just had a minor stroke last week. Does not bode well for local OMC owners. A lot of shops won't even work on them anymore, or they either screw them up or sent them to him, or both.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Please rate OMC outdrives

The best one is the one you can still get parts for and if you're really lucky you may have a mechanic who knows what they are doing and will still work on it.
I can get all the parts I need for the Cobra either from BRP or from the aftermarket (Sierra). To answer the OP's question more specifically, the garden variety Cobras (ie behind the Chevy V6/small block V8s) have the best parts availability. The ones behind the 460 Fords and the cone clutch models built by OMC themselves before the Volvo joint venture are hard to get parts from. So there you have it. I've had this one 11 years and so far I have not replaced any major parts, just normal wear parts, some seals, impellers, etc. Now and then if I come across hard to find parts that I might not need yet, but may in the future need I may pick them up, like the set of trim rams I got a couple of years ago.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Please rate OMC outdrives

I like not having U joints, gimbal bearings, and bellows which leak in water and ruin the other two which would otherwise likely last forever if it wasn't for water intrusion.

My upper unit, intermediate housing, and tilt/trim housing are all leaking in varying amounts of water (will sit all winter with oil in them and not drip a drop). I keep my Bayliner in a slip all season so I'd just keeping changing the oil. I've replaced all the seals and vacuum/pressure tested everything only for the wear on the shafts within the seals to ruin the seals and get everything leaking in water again. At the end of the season the oil ranges from a chocolate shake, to creamed coffee, to Ice Mountain. Bearings and gears seem to be alright when I've torn the thing apart though. I'm somewhat hoping the drive will either just survive till I can get my Chris Craft in commission and won't have to keep the Bayliner in the water or the drive seizes up one of these days while underway and I'll replace it with a Volvo Penta setup. All this water intrusion has made me hate sterndrives in general (I've made a serious post about converting to inboard V-drive...only one seal there and no oil compartments under water).

My opinion? If you have a good one, they're good drives. If otherwise, no, stay away from them.

 

[catfishr1]

Re: Please rate OMC outdrives

:thumb:Thank you sam 60 for this thread. Just purchased an islander with 400 stringer drive. Was pretty sure wanted to switch to mercruiser.This thread has helped me solidify that decision.