1980's OMC OD -- good? bad?

[mike...@hotmail.com]

I kinda know the ups and downs of Mercruiser outdrives, and a little
about Volvo, but next to nothing about OMC.

I'm looking at a 1982 Searay 225 with an OMC outdrive (mated to a 1989
260HP V8). The owner wasn't clear over the phone -- it was either
rebuilt or replaced with a like unit around 1989. Are there particular
warnings, cautions, and or notes about this type of OD? Can parts be
found easily enough? Is this OD sturdy enough for 260 HP? Does it
take a special/funny/hard-to-get prop?

Thanks, and regards.

Mike
Seattle

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

[Lifespeed]

I believe that year is known as the "Stringer mount" with a large
rubber accordian at the thru-transom.

You don't want one. They can be quite a headache. They'll work,
even at 260 HP, but it isn't worth the hassle.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Got questions? Get answers over the phone at Keen.com.
Up to 100 minutes free!
http://www.keen.com

[Ted G]

If it is a Cobra-no problem. They are strong enough to handle a 350 HP big
block and are relatively good. They use standard OMC/Evinrude/Johnson props
and share many parts with the present Volvo SX drives. Go for it if it is a
Cobra.

Ted

<mike...@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:8ll2i8$as8$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...

[John Krulik]

If its a model 400 or an 800 run away fast....... if its a Cobra then you
can just walk away. Have to look at this way......If a company can build
something as bad as the old OMC drives (400-800) than how could you ever
trust them to build anything better? Then ask yourself this question "Does
OMC still make sterndrives?" The answer is NO.......that should be the
definitive answer.

[Per-Olof Litby]

In article <8lnj42$p7o$1...@nntp9.atl.mindspring.net>,
kru...@mindspring.com says...

> If its a model 400 or an 800 run away fast....... if its a Cobra then you
> can just walk away. Have to look at this way......If a company can build
> something as bad as the old OMC drives (400-800) than how could you ever
> trust them to build anything better? Then ask yourself this question "Does
> OMC still make sterndrives?" The answer is NO.......that should be the
> definitive answer.
>

I beg to differ, at least about the Cobra. I've had several Cobras, I
have several friends who have them, and we all have 100% positive
experiences.

I'd say most people's problems with Cobras are caused by having them
serviced by non-Cobra specialists, e g Mercruiser mechanics, who tend to
do things which work fine with Mercs but can quickly destroy a Cobra
drive - the most notable example is shift cable adjustment.

I suspect the above problem is going to get more common as there are
fewer and fewer Cobra specialists around now that OMC doesn't make out
drives.

P-O

--
_______________________________________________________________________
Per-Olof Litby
Product Mgr - Client Operating Systems - Microsoft Nordic
Voice +46 8 752-2885, Fax +46 8 750-5158, Email: pli...@microsoft.com
Mobile +46 70 452-2885
_______________________________________________________________________
As I have discovered by examining my past, I started out as a child.
_______________________________________________________________________

[Barry]

I have one of the older OMC drives (1982). They're prone to leaking
(letting in water) because they have *lots* of oil seals on them.

Their reason for designing this drive was to avoid paying royalties
to Wynne's design, which used a gimbal type of drive. After the
expiration date, the Cobra ensued.

I still use the boat today. It's not really that bad in my case.
I have had the drive worked on once in its lifetime and it was an
issue related to a spun spline shaft at the impeller level.

The lowest part of the drive has a slight leak. I change the oil
yearly and do date, 18 years later, has not had an oil-related
failure (or any other type except for the one mentioned above).

The engine is one of the GM 3.8 litre ones.

b.