1980 OMC Sail Drive

[jhubben]

Engine problems: Engine taking on H2O in lower chamber (again). Had engine worked on five years ago and fixed cracked/damaged adaptor plate when it was taking on water in similar fashion before. Ran OK then but have not used much in last 2 years. Boat otherwise in good condition. Can have it pulled but need to know about replacing all or part of engine. Comments?? Thanks John

 

[LarryWP]

Re: 1980 OMC Sail Drive

Had the same problem two years ago. It turned out to be a bad exhaust gasket. Replaced it and it has run fine since. No problems. Good engine, but there aren't very many people who work on them.

 

[gdead3@aol.com]

Re: 1980 OMC Sail Drive

Either of you guys still around? I have a water problem as well. What adapter plate and which exhaust gasket? help<br /><br />thanks

 

[gdead3@aol.com]

Re: 1980 OMC Sail Drive

please see my "water in cylinder" thread

 

[flashback]

Re: 1980 OMC Sail Drive

gdead3, I have had several experiences with sail drives, none of them good. they are what I call a hybrid that does nothing well........It takes a triple jointed person to work on them, parts are hard to find, and if you can find parts..., then you need to find someone to install them.... and even if the darn thing works, you still have a 10 inch diameter hole in the bottom of your boat. trust me, trash the sail drive and get a nice little outboard to hang on the back.. your on a lake, no tides to mess with, its the best deal........

 

[BillP]

Re: 1980 OMC Sail Drive

I lived aboard in busy marinas back when the saildrives hit the market big (70s). There were quite a few around but I don't remember too many folks who didn't have problems with them. If memeory serves right they had problems when mounted way below the waterline. They lasted a couple of years and disappeared from the market. But the racing guys loved the light weight...and they were installed in the racing (but not really fast)Morgan 33Ts.