To OMC or not!

[jmatteo1]

:/I am considering moving up to a 24' Four Winns, specifically, I like the late 80's 245 Vista. I have been doing some looking, and they all seem to have been oufitted with OMC's. I have only owned Mercruisers and I am concerned about repairs/parts issues with the OMC. I have learned quite a bit from those of you on this forum and have done many repairs myself because of your expertise. Do any of you have any advice?

For the record, I like the 245 Vista for its lines, the basic: layout ,the aft cabin, and the fact that I can still trailer it. (The wife wants more space and a place to go potty onboard!)

Thanks for your help.
Joe

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: To OMC or not!

advice - avoid OMC
If you love that hull design for some specific reason, look for one with a trashed Cobra powertrain and do a complete repower to Merc.

 

[Don S]

Re: To OMC or not!

advice - avoid OMC

While that is good advise, here is why.
OMC stopped building the Cobra drive like that boat would have in 93. In 94 Volvo and OMC went into a joint venture and the drive (although it looks about the same) was completely different inside and is not a take the old style off and put on a newer style.
Then in about 97 OMC sterndrive went out of buisness completely. While there are many aftermarket places for some parts and many are still available, they are getting harder to find. Finding a mechanic to work on them correctly is another problem.
Engines are standard Chevy or Ford V8's and won't be a problem to get parts for. The drive and the connecting components to the engine are the parts that may cause problems. And avoid the 460 completely. The engine is fine, although a gas hog, but the OMC accessories are almost non existant.

 

[jmatteo1]

Re: To OMC or not!

Shortly after I posted my question, I found one with a 260 Mercruiser. I e-mailed the seller right away and, it was sold of course! I'm sure there are others out there, with the optional Mercruiser. I'm not sure that I'm up to a complete re-power, but if I choose to go that route, you'll be seeing a lot of posts from me!8)
http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/imageDetail,p,101,i,1337,00.html

 

[HT32BSX115]

I would suggest "OR NOT" !

I would suggest "OR NOT" !

I have to agree with Don on this one....My 460 runs fine and everything is ok so far...

I am not sure I could find a coupler though. They may exist but they'll probably be double or triple the price of a similar one for a Merc or Volvo.

Doug Russel has exhaust manifolds but they are more than $500 each! (they were $999 each a month ago!).


I think I'm ok since I didn't pay much for the boat, it's got a low time eng/drive, never been in salt, my brother bought it new and took good care of it. (with some exceptions...which resulted in a replaced engine/drive!!).


If I blow it up I will probably repower it with a Merc or Volvo. probably 502/Bravo 2 etc...



If I had it to do all over I would have not gotten it! (hindsight is always 20:20)


Regards,

Rick

advice - avoid OMC

While that is good advise, here is why.
OMC stopped building the Cobra drive like that boat would have in 93. In 94 Volvo and OMC went into a joint venture and the drive (although it looks about the same) was completely different inside and is not a take the old style off and put on a newer style.
Then in about 97 OMC sterndrive went out of buisness completely. While there are many aftermarket places for some parts and many are still available, they are getting harder to find. Finding a mechanic to work on them correctly is another problem.
Engines are standard Chevy or Ford V8's and won't be a problem to get parts for. The drive and the connecting components to the engine are the parts that may cause problems. And avoid the 460 completely. The engine is fine, although a gas hog, but the OMC accessories are almost non existant.

 

[Bondo]

Re: To OMC or not!

"Post Subject: To OMC or not! "


Not..........................

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: To OMC or not!

Yep, NOT OMC = Obsolete Marine Corp.

 

[boatgrunt]

Re: To OMC or not!

I had an OMC and ditched it for a Merc. That being said, I have to admit that getting parts for me was no problem. Further, people like to whine (rightfully so) about the cost of OMC replacement manifolds. What they sometimes fail to mention is that you can convert from the 1-piece batwing manifolds to the much cheaper, Merc manifolds usually without incident. Still, everything being the same, I'd go with a Merc.