reman engine company's

jwalker306

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Jan 21, 2014
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I am new to the site and also to boats. I have repaired a few over the years but there's alot of aspects to the boats that I have not touched on yet. I am taking over a boat from a friend of the family who passed away about 12 years ago. The boat has just been sitting so its in need of alot of tlc. I have to replace the engine in it and was curious about what company's anybody would recommend to purchase a re manufactured engine from? Its a 4.3 liter in a 89 215 sundowner. the main thing im looking for is what company's to stay away from. I would hate to just trash the boat since he used to take great care of it. The exhaust manifold cracked on it and locked the engine when it happened. Any help would greatly be appreciated.
 

alldodge

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43,740
Re: reman engine company's

I am new to the site and also to boats. I have repaired a few over the years but there's alot of aspects to the boats that I have not touched on yet. I am taking over a boat from a friend of the family who passed away about 12 years ago. The boat has just been sitting so its in need of alot of tlc. I have to replace the engine in it and was curious about what company's anybody would recommend to purchase a re manufactured engine from? Its a 4.3 liter in a 89 215 sundowner. the main thing im looking for is what company's to stay away from. I would hate to just trash the boat since he used to take great care of it. The exhaust manifold cracked on it and locked the engine when it happened. Any help would greatly be appreciated.

:welcome: to iboats

I would not suggest a reman engine, I would suggest getting a new crate motor. You can pick one up for under 3K and swap all the other stuff
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
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71,389
Re: reman engine company's

I am new to the site and also to boats. I have repaired a few over the years but there's alot of aspects to the boats that I have not touched on yet. I am taking over a boat from a friend of the family who passed away about 12 years ago. The boat has just been sitting so its in need of alot of tlc. I have to replace the engine in it and was curious about what company's anybody would recommend to purchase a re manufactured engine from? Its a 4.3 liter in a 89 215 sundowner. the main thing im looking for is what company's to stay away from. I would hate to just trash the boat since he used to take great care of it. The exhaust manifold cracked on it and locked the engine when it happened. Any help would greatly be appreciated.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Who's motor, 'n drive,..?? Merc,..?? Volvo,..?? OMC,..??

Was it indoors, or outdoors for the 12 years,..??
 

jwalker306

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Jan 21, 2014
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Re: reman engine company's

:welcome: to iboats

I would not suggest a reman engine, I would suggest getting a new crate motor. You can pick one up for under 3K and swap all the other stuff

I was contemplating a new one just to be safe. Have never used a re manufactured engine.
 

jwalker306

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Joined
Jan 21, 2014
Messages
4
Re: reman engine company's

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Who's motor, 'n drive,..?? Merc,..?? Volvo,..?? OMC,..??

Was it indoors, or outdoors for the 12 years,..??

Unfortunately it has been outside for the 12 years. It was covered for most of them until the cover tore a while back. its a omc engine with a cobra out-drive i think, still have to get the numbers off of it and verify this. floors are still strong and no water is laying in the hull or the rest of the boat. And thanks guys for the welcomes.
 

Bamaman1

Lieutenant Commander
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May 15, 2011
Messages
1,895
Re: reman engine company's

I hate to tell you, but OMC is gone--bankrupt. Bombardier (ETEC) is not supporting the old OMC I/O's in parts, etc. and parts for that drive train are hard to find. I wouldn't put one red cent into repowering an old OMC I/O unit.

If the upholstery and carpet's great, you could drop the old engine pod and replace it with an outboard motor suppport. Modern outboards are light and so improved over the old generation I/O's. They're also available used.

See: Heavy Duty Motor Support for an example of what I'm talking about.
 

Fleetwin

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Nov 23, 2011
Messages
1,141
Re: reman engine company's

Probably the best (and cheapest) route for you will be to find a donor boat with a good engine and outdrive package. (V.P. or Merc.) and swap everything from the harmonic balancer to the prop. There just isn't a good reason to put money into that OMC drive or engine.

I agree. The OMC drive is difficult to support-SAD.

The good news is that a complete Volvo or MerCruiser is not that hard to fit.

As far as re-mans go. I wouldn't put a Jasper re-man in my lawnmower.
 

jwalker306

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Jan 21, 2014
Messages
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Re: reman engine company's

glad that i checked with everyone first since i was unaware that omc was no longer in business. i would hate to replace the engine then have the out drive go out only to find that I cant get the parts anymore. well I guess i will have to look around and see if I can find a transplant or just look for another boat. may look into the outboard option to see whats involved.
 

superbenk

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Oct 27, 2008
Messages
2,033
Re: reman engine company's

I believe the keyhole in the transom is the same size/shape for OMC as for Mercruiser. Not sure about motor mount locations. I'd be really sure the structure & transom are sound before dumping any money into this boat. Seems like it has pretty high potential for being rotten.
 

Bulbash

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
332
Re: reman engine company's

glad that i checked with everyone first since i was unaware that omc was no longer in business. i would hate to replace the engine then have the out drive go out only to find that I cant get the parts anymore. well I guess i will have to look around and see if I can find a transplant or just look for another boat. may look into the outboard option to see whats involved.


Currently I have Bowrider with very unpopular setup OMC 2.3 Cobra. For some reason people say that there is no parts available and maintenance is very expensive. I found this was not true, aftermarket parts are available from sierra and mallory, few rare parts as manifolds, drives etc... always available used on ebay or marinas, yes they are expensive, but how often would you need to replace a manifolds? Or OMC Cobra drives will run forever if you have it properly adjusted shift cable and replace fluid every season (make sure you fill through the correct hole!!!)...

In your case I would look around and maybe you can find a good used 4.3 motor. Those motors are very popular and lots of them available around used for a reasonable pricing, I'm sure I can find one used (here in Ontario, Canada) for around $1000, if you want to spend another $1500 for a rebuild you will get a re manufactured motor for $2500, which is not a bad price... If you take care of it it will last 10 -15 years easy...

Or you cxan spend $5000 for a used boat with the used merc or volvo motor with the used drive with no guarantee how long it will last until you will need to rebuild it...


Just my opinion....
 
Last edited:

tazrig

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Dec 20, 2012
Messages
1,752
Re: reman engine company's

You know your pretty entertaining just watching you stir the pot. :)

That's apparently because he has nothing better to do with his time. :lol: Since a remanned OMC obviously isn't a practical option, a complete remanned Merc set up would be the next best thing to new. (money aside)
 
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