OMC STINGER 351 MISSING

[phatboats]

Hi there, I've just bought a 77 trailerable houseboat, the complete motor and drive are gone(had the OMC stinger 351. Should I try to replace all original, or upgrade to a complete set up, I prefer GM. Thank you for any help or advice?

 

[alldodge]

Welcome
OMC has been out of business for years.

I would rebuild the transom and replace with a Merc motor and drive. Should be able to find a rotted out hull with a good motor

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard.

your houseboat will move just as fast with a 50hp outboard as it will with a 260hp Ford 351.

as indicated above, OMC has been out of business for decades.

the two things to avoid when buying an older boat is OMC and Ford.

however you bought it. what maintenance have you done that the prior owner didnt do

such as:
raw water pump
drive service
points, condenser, plugs, wires, cap, rotor
carburetor overhaul?

 

[phatboats]

welcome aboard.

your houseboat will move just as fast with a 50hp outboard as it will with a 260hp Ford 351.

as indicated above, OMC has been out of business for decades.

the two things to avoid when buying an older boat is OMC and Ford.

however you bought it. what maintenance have you done that the prior owner didnt do

such as:
raw water pump
drive service
points, condenser, plugs, wires, cap, rotor
carburetor overhaul?

There is no motor or drive installed.

 

[Scott Danforth]

There is no motor or drive installed.

then rebuild the transom and stringers, and get a motor/drive/controls/wiring combination from a rotten boat.

to rebuild the transom/stringers, expect to have $1500 in materials
to get a working longtail with controls and wiring, expect to pay $2k+
then about $1k in incidentals, PPE, and misc.

 

[phatboats]

then rebuild the transom and stringers, and get a motor/drive/controls/wiring combination from a rotten boat.

to rebuild the transom/stringers, expect to have $1500 in materials
to get a working longtail with controls and wiring, expect to pay $2k+
then about $1k in incidentals, PPE, and misc.

I have been told that the motor and drive are with the boat, (picking it up next weekend in Colorado, long block needs rebuild. Should I stick with original equipment? Thanks for your advice!

 

[phatboats]

I have been told that the motor and drive are with the boat, (picking it up next weekend in Colorado, long block needs rebuild. Should I stick with original equipment? Thanks for your advice!

I'm okay with throwing some money at this project and prefer GM products.

 

[Scott Danforth]

It's up to you to stay with the stringer and either rebuild the Ford motor or get a 1985 or older GM motor and the appropriate intermediate gear box

Or

Rebuild the transom and go with a Mercruiser setup.

 

[southkogs]

First thing I would do with a Stringer, before you do anything else is try to determine if the drive is free and shifts properly. If so, and the transom doesn't need rebuilt - then the Stringer isn't horrible to work with. Be aware that parts are getting a little harder to find, and the Stringer is kind of a drama queen: they can be a little finicky and like a lot of attention.

If the drive isn't working properly, I'd look at rebuilding the transom and going a different route for power.

If the transom needs rebuilt regardless; then I'd certainly look to go with some other driveline.