Changing out engine and outdrive for another

[Doug S]

I was wondering if someone can answer the following. I have a 1990 omc 120 hp motor 3.0L (chevy) with a omc cobra outdrive, i have the opportunity to purchase a 2.3 L ford with a cobra outdrive....low hours and freshwater use. Do they both have the same outdrive?, and do you see a problem with the engine fitting?

 

[JoChek219]

Re: Changing out engine and outdrive for another

whats the need for the swap? your going from a bigger chevy motor to a smaller ford...and both are omc drives

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Changing out engine and outdrive for another

If your going through the time and trouble to repower why swap to a dead player?? Find a viable Merc or Volvo propulsion system and at least move in the right direction.

 

[Doug S]

Re: Changing out engine and outdrive for another

I have had this 1990 trophy in storage for the last couple of years, due to me working in the Pacific Nortwest.....the last time out with it, a belt broke...ran a little hot, changed belt...ran fair....but didn't have time to mess with it, a friend tried to start it, wouldn't crank over...no telling...could be anything from motor to bad gas.....i ran across a 2.3 L ford engine and cobra outdrive, still in the boat.....heard the engine run...low hours, still need to checkout outdrive....it is a fresh water boat...engine and outdrive seem to be in great shape.....could get them both for about $300, its not like it is laying in pieces on some garage floor and have to put it back together.....as far as Merc or Volvo propulsion system.....i have read all the posts on here and understand there is the merc / volvo camp and the omc camp.....would the transom hole have to be modifies for the merc / volvo setup?

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Changing out engine and outdrive for another

..............................................i have read all the posts on here and understand there is the merc / volvo camp and the omc camp.....would the transom hole have to be modifies for the merc / volvo setup?

OMC went out of business over ten years ago................those in their camp are clinging to a dwindling player. Parts and techs are, and will continue to be harder and more expensive to come by. As for the cut out it's the same as Merc and Volvo use so its not an issue.

 

[Don S]

Re: Changing out engine and outdrive for another

As for the cut out it's the same as Merc and Volvo use so its not an issue.

It's the same as the SX style Volvo, not the ealier 290 syle drives (pre 93).

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Changing out engine and outdrive for another

Clinging is a great word. Ha. But with 4 kids, house, cars, quads, and a wife who hates boats, did i mention the dog, who has money for a new boat.

So I like so many others, buy, steal, or do whatever we can with any old pos we can get our hands on to enjoy boating.

Yea wouldn't I love to get a new,even 2 year old boat.

And yea to save even a few bucks we do our own tuneups, oil changes, and anything else we can to save money.

I even cut my own grass, only one on my block that does his own. Oh yea I didn't mention the 62' snowblower, old pos riding lawnmower.

Yea clinging is the word I would use.

 

[danond]

Re: Changing out engine and outdrive for another

Welcome to the "OMFG You Bought An OMC And Are An Idiot Plus I Saw One Of You Pee On God's Shoes (FYI please rip all of it out for merc/volvo and/or return your boat, you sinner)" club.

There's still plenty of parts readily available for the Cobra. Scrapping a working Cobra drive/engine you already own is just dumb. Drive it 'till it breaks big. Until then, get used to spending money you probably should be investing in your kids' college fund on a hobby.

Besides...if you can't wrench and you buy an almost 20 year old boat, it doesn't matter what you bought, you're screwed. If you can wrench and enjoy a challenge, you have one on your hands, my friend!

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Changing out engine and outdrive for another

Welcome to the "OMFG You Bought An OMC And Are An Idiot Plus I Saw One Of You Pee On God's Shoes (FYI please rip all of it out for merc/volvo and/or return your boat, you sinner)" club.

There's still plenty of parts readily available for the Cobra. Scrapping a working Cobra drive/engine you already own is just dumb. Drive it 'till it breaks big. Until then, get used to spending money you probably should be investing in your kids' college fund on a hobby.

Besides...if you can't wrench and you buy an almost 20 year old boat, it doesn't matter what you bought, you're screwed. If you can wrench and enjoy a challenge, you have one on your hands, my friend!

Dude...............take a pill!! No one told the OP to scrap his working engine drive combo. HE said he was thinking of repowering. I just suggested he upgrade to a propulsion system from a currently viable company. And just think if he does opt for a Merc or Volvo he'll be able to part out his OMC giving some one still loyal their drive the parts they may need.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Changing out engine and outdrive for another

Yea wouldn't I love to get a new,even 2 year old boat.

Ayuh,.... Personally,....I'd consider a 20 year old Hull to be about Brand New........

'ell,..... I'm about as Happy as a Clam in Mud right now,.....
I just closed a Deal on a very early vintage Bravo drive,... Cheap....
To install in My 35 year old Hull....

But at least it's Still building with Current technology, from a company that Still sells parts for it.....

I agree with the sentiment above,....
Run her til she Pukes,.....
Then worry about a Total refit,.....

But when it Comes,... Atleast move in a Forward direction.....

 

[mcleaves]

Re: Changing out engine and outdrive for another

Maybe I missed something here, but the OP is willing to invest the time and money into a smaller Ford over a chevy before spending some time figuring out what is up with the existing setup?

While I understand the idea of probing for info on a repower in case the worst is up, I'd not pull the trigger on a new setup, ESPECIALLY if it's a Ford (I own a Ford, trust me - Good engine, expensive and difficult to find parts for).

Spend a weekend and case of beer on the old engine. In the time it'll take a guy to perform the pull on both boats and install them in your boat you could be running with a better setup.

Just my .02

M

 

[miles917]

Re: Changing out engine and outdrive for another

Clinging is a great word. Ha. But with 4 kids, house, cars, quads, and a wife who hates boats, did i mention the dog, who has money for a new boat.

Chief, keep the dog, keep the boat, ditch the wife......too late you made 4 kids......

Doug, I bought my first boat, OMC Cobra, a few months back. Its been fun learning but half the guys on here won't give any advice other than re-power with merc/volvo. Parts are still easy to find, just not too easy on the pocketbook.

If what you have is shot, $300 plus gaskets and all to get you boating ain't bad. First, I would exhaust all avenues with what you got (inexpensive avenues), and like everybody else said run it till its dead and re-power with with a merc or volvo.

Just 2 cents from a future bravo owner.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Changing out engine and outdrive for another

A guy is walking down the street, on a telephone pole is a poster that read:

Wife and dog missing REWARD for dog.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Changing out engine and outdrive for another

The motor mounts are very different between the 3.0 Chevy and the 2.3 Ford. The swap discussed would require adaptations to the hull of the boat to mount the 2.3 engine. Depending on the original construction of the boat this may be very extensive. The 2.3 is mounted on both sides of the motor while the 3.0 is mounted to a single point at the front.

 

[Doug S]

Re: Changing out engine and outdrive for another

Thanks Rotary Racer....that clears that up .....and miles917....i agree with you

 

[paulrfrancisco]

Re: Changing out engine and outdrive for another

Buy the motor / drive package for $300, keep the drive as a spare, sell the motor and get you motor operational professionally... Probably a break even expens over all and you end up with a spare drive.

 

[Doug S]

Re: Changing out engine and outdrive for another

Another question;
whats the best repair manuals....Clymer, Seloc, or the actual factory manuals...and if factory manuals....should i get all three (service manual, owners manual and parts manual) . The Clymer and Seloc run in the $30 range and the factory set of manuals are around $145. I was wondering what manuals everyone here uses?

 

[Doug S]

Re: Changing out engine and outdrive for another

I guess my previous post refers to OMC owners...since Merc or Volvo owners really have no need for repair manuals.

 

[danond]

Re: Changing out engine and outdrive for another

I just suggested he upgrade to a propulsion system from a currently viable company.

Yeah I know. Half of that was tongue-in-cheek, the rest was frustration from hearing "repower" as the overused answer to questions about OMC.

It's pretty tough to get me stressed about much, and I think I'm going to register omfgyouboughtanomcandareanidiotplusisawoneofyoupeeongodsshoes.com, maybe start my own forum.

 

[mcleaves]

Re: Changing out engine and outdrive for another

Another question;
whats the best repair manuals....Clymer, Seloc, or the actual factory manuals...and if factory manuals....should i get all three (service manual, owners manual and parts manual) . The Clymer and Seloc run in the $30 range and the factory set of manuals are around $145. I was wondering what manuals everyone here uses?

Strictly OEM manuals. I could fill a separate manual with the errors I've found in the aftermarkets, some of them REALLY BAD. Like the distributer rotation is BACKWARDS for the Volvo AQ125 in one of them.

M