OMC King to Mercrusier

[Captain Jack L]

I have a 1989 Renken 2688, purchased it a few years back and intended to replace the engine as it was shot from non use. The years have passed and now I am wondering if I should also replace the drive as well. I intend to start work on this in the spring. The boat was only used for 6 seasons prior to my aquireing it from its former owner. It was stated when I purchased the boat that the outdrive was just replaced. I guess the big question is do I replace it all orjust the motor,that is the 300 hp. small block chevy.

 

[wire2]

Re: OMC King to Mercrusier

I'm gonna suggest do the whole assembly at 1 time, rather than wait until you have a problem with the K Cobra, and find that discontinued parts are hard to source.
I converted from OMC stringer a few years ago, got late model Merc alpha parts (except 5.7) for ~$2200, then sold my OMC outdrive for $2k, other parts for $400.

 

[Captain Jack L]

Re: OMC King to Mercrusier

So put the drive up on craigs list and move forward with the Mercrusier. Does anyone produce a Bravo to OMC Kit?

 

[Bondo]

Re: OMC King to Mercrusier

Does anyone produce a Bravo to OMC Kit?

Nope,... It's ALL or nothin'.....

Atleast the cut-out in the transom is the same....

A Donor boat is the Best, Cheapest way to find a new Complete driveline....
Otherwise, the little bit's, 'n pieces will Kill the price of the project...
OMC used a lot of Ford equipped boats in 89

 

[Don S]

Re: OMC King to Mercrusier

I guess the big question is do I replace it all orjust the motor,that is the 300 hp. small block chevy.

Actually, the BIG question is exactly which "King" did you have and what engine.
Kings had both dog and cone clutch drives, whiich do you have.
Changing just the engine may be a lot more of a problem if you had a Ford engine.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: OMC King to Mercrusier

I have a 1989 Renken 2688, purchased it a few years back and intended to replace the engine as it was shot from non use. The years have passed and now I am wondering if I should also replace the drive as well. I intend to start work on this in the spring. The boat was only used for 6 seasons prior to my aquireing it from its former owner. It was stated when I purchased the boat that the outdrive was just replaced. I guess the big question is do I replace it all orjust the motor,that is the 300 hp. small block chevy.

Howdy,


My suggestion is that you replace the entire engine/combination.

If there's nothing wrong with the drive, you should be able to easily sell it and the associated parts.....

A few years ago I replaced my 87 460 King Cobra with a 454 + Bravo III set up I found on craigslist from a boat that had a tree fall on it.

I paid about $5k for it and over the next couple of years I sold ALL the OMC "stuff" piece by piece for a total of about $3500.

With a boat that big, look for at least a 300hp EFI 5.7/6.2L or BBC V-8 Volvo Penta or Mercruiser with a dual counter-rotating prop drive. Either will fit.

I found several Mercruiser set-ups for sale in the Seattle area at the time when I did mine......... I didn't find any suitable Volvo Penta setups.


Regards,


Rick