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    #1

    OMC Upper Unit-gctid389669

    My brother has a vintage 1985 OMC drive. The main gear in the upper unit is cracked and the drive was siezed.

    Got one quote from a local mechanic, $800 in parts, $1800 in labor for the upper drive unit alone.

    This seemed way high for me, though I am totally clueless when it comes to OMC outdrives.

    Outdrive model number is: 983842

    Gear serial or model number is: I0432217

    That's about all I know about it.

    Is this estimate completely out of the ballpark. Is there a source to purchase just a rebuilt or aftermarket upper unit?

    Too bad OMC isn't around anymore as the old OMC plant is a few thousand yards from our slip now.
    Tags: None
    #2
    keithjabber wrote:
    My brother has a vintage 1985 OMC drive. The main gear in the upper unit is cracked and the drive was siezed.

    Got one quote from a local mechanic, $800 in parts, $1800 in labor for the upper drive unit alone.

    This seemed way high for me, though I am totally clueless when it comes to OMC outdrives.

    Outdrive model number is: 983842

    Gear serial or model number is: I0432217

    That's about all I know about it.

    Is this estimate completely out of the ballpark. Is there a source to purchase just a rebuilt or aftermarket upper unit?

    Too bad OMC isn't around anymore as the old OMC plant is a few thousand yards from our slip now.
    I would check this site http://www.sterndrive.info/id130.html

    Comment

      #3
      Thanks, great link, definitely chock full of info on OMC's. I'll forward this onto him.

      Comment

        #4
        IMO, your brother needs to be brought up to speed on just what he has there.

        In 1985, this would be a Stringer Drive.... not a later Cobra drive.

        And again, IMO, he'd be throwing good money after bad if he was to have it over-hauled!

        He'd be better off to remove this drive system completely, infill the transom, and install a Stern Drive system.

        Or.... cut his losses, and purchase a stern drive boat of the same size, etc.

        .
        Rick E. (aka RicardoMarine) Gresham, Oregon
        2850 Bounty Sedan Flybridge model
        Twin 280 HP 5.7's w/ Closed Cooling
        Volvo Penta DuoProp Drives
        Kohler 4 CZ Gen Set

        Please, no PMs. Ask your questions on forum.

        Comment

          #5
          2850Bounty wrote:
          IMO, your brother needs to be brought up to speed on just what he has there.

          In 1985, this would be a Stringer Drive.... not a later Cobra drive.

          And again, IMO, he'd be throwing good money after bad if he was to have it over-hauled!

          He'd be better off to remove this drive system completely, infill the transom, and install a Stern Drive system.

          Or.... cut his losses, and purchase a stern drive boat of the same size, etc.

          .
          I've already given him the lecture on how he shouldn't have bought a 25+ year old boat without knowing exactly what he was getting. No survey of course either. Didn't even tell me he was buying it until it was in his driveway.

          I'm clueless when it comes to OMC.

          What is the reasoning behind abandoning the drive system completely? Obsolete, hard to get parts (expensive), unreliable?

          Comment

            #6
            keithjabber wrote:


            What is the reasoning behind abandoning the drive system completely? Obsolete, hard to get parts (expensive), unreliable?
            It's a Stringer Drive.... not a Stern Drive.

            Instead of the forward propeller thrust being placed against a structural transom, the thrust is placed against the engine, of which is transferred to the engine mounts (four of them), of which is then placed into the boat's stringers.

            If/when you loose stringer integrity, the engine can be pushed forward.

            If the engine is pushed forward and out of it's mounts......, the large rubber sealing boot (drive housing to transom shell) is compromised and will leak large quantities of water.

            Many of these boats (when they have gotten old) have sunk due to this.

            These use a Ball Gear drive, not a universal joint system. These are problematic.

            Stringer Drive boat sales advertisements often purposely omit which drive they are equipped with.

            There is absolutely nothing desirable about a Stringer Drive this day and age.

            If he loves the boat, if the engine is OK, and if he's up for a project, he can infill the transom and make it structural.

            Once structural, he could install a stern drive..... either an OMC Cobra, a Mercruiser or a Volvo Penta.
            Rick E. (aka RicardoMarine) Gresham, Oregon
            2850 Bounty Sedan Flybridge model
            Twin 280 HP 5.7's w/ Closed Cooling
            Volvo Penta DuoProp Drives
            Kohler 4 CZ Gen Set

            Please, no PMs. Ask your questions on forum.

            Comment

              #7
              As the title says, RUN don't walk away from this boat!
              2007 Discovery 246
              300mpi BIII
              Welcome island Lake Superior

              Comment

                #8
                Now he says it's an 86 and here is a pic of the drive housing. Looks like a sterndrive housing to me. Can someone confirm.




                Comment

                  #9
                  Cobra drive for sure. Sei makes a conversion.
                  Be good, be happy, for tomorrow is promised to no man !

                  1994 2452, 5.0l, Alpha gen. 2 drive. Sold ! Sold ! Sold !

                  '86 / 19' Citation cuddy, Merc. 3.0L / 140 hp 86' , stringer drive. Sold ! Sold ! Sold !

                  Manalapan N.J

                  Comment

                    #10
                    He'll be relieved to here that. Thanks to all for your help.

                    Is it worth trying to rebuild the upper, lower is fine. Or would a replacement drive make more sense.

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Go here: http://www.crowleymarine.com/Stern-D..._Alpha_Kit.cfm

                      Buy this.

                      Thank me later.

                      Comment

                        #12
                        If you can find a mechanic still familiar with the Cobra drives, rebuilding the upper should be the least expensive way to go. And there are used and rebuilt Cobra drives still to be found. Be sure to specify which size engine you have as you'll need to get the same gear ratio.

                        Don't worry about the Cobra drives. Properly adjusted they're at least as reliable and robust as a Merc Alpha.

                        Comment

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