Straight 6 Chevy w/OMC outdrive

[SRosaJr]

As stated in my previous topic I am new to boating. Was wondering how reliable the 6 cyl Chevy and OMC outdrive was. The boat being a 1972 I would imagine that the motor/outdrive combo is too.

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: Straight 6 Chevy w/OMC outdrive

The inline 6 251 cubic inch Chevy is as reliable as they get...great motor. Might not be able to say the same about the outdrive. Do you know which one you have? If it is the stringer drive it will have a huge rubber boot around the drive leg on the outside and an odd looking quadrant gear assembly for the tilt. These drives have "issues". Let us know if this is what you have & we can discuss them.

 

[rons boat]

Re: Straight 6 Chevy w/OMC outdrive

I have owned several. The only problem I have had with earlier OMC drives is the electrical gear trim on the drive. This is not a tilt and trim unit as there is no trim. Mine had broken the shaft, fried the electric motor, and basically is not in the class with the hydro operated units employed by others and OMC themselves in later models. But for this defect, I loved it.

 

[SRosaJr]

Re: Straight 6 Chevy w/OMC outdrive

Thanks for the replay guys. To answer the first question yes it does have a large boot around the entire drive unit and the odd looking tilt mechanism with a gearbox and a halfcircle gear that lifts the unit. The Select a Trim does not work. The electric motor that is supposed to be there is half missing, the armiture is there but the rest of the motor is not. The jackshaft looks to have a good amount of grease on it (its not rusted ) so I'm wondering if maybe the motor just went south. Don't even know if it's worth fooling with. All I know is it makes changing the belt for the Alt / waterpump a real pain! Glad to hear that the motor is a good one, guess I'll hold my breath on the rest!!

 

[Boatist]

Re: Straight 6 Chevy w/OMC outdrive

Main problems have been water leaks in upper gear box, hard to fix. Water leak in tilt clutch, easy to fix. Water pump drive know to fail, which means no water pump or drive shaft. Mine failed one time Last year and i had it since 1980. Might want to read post "older OMC 1981 problems.

 

[magster65]

Re: Straight 6 Chevy w/OMC outdrive

Great engine but the leg... buy something better. Every brand has it's nightmare stories but older OMC's are maybe the worst case. A couple of tows back in and you'll be into the old OMC for as much as a better drive. This gives me an idea for a new thread; What's the worst marine equipment ever made? Look for it, you'll see more on this drive.

 

[SRosaJr]

Re: Straight 6 Chevy w/OMC outdrive

To let you guys in on alittle history of my boat the previos owner has installed all new ironwork on motor (all new manifolds and exhaust piping made from stainless) also the exhaust has been routed out the stern of the boat rather than thru the drive itself since its been new, don't know if thats good or bad. It also has a list of repairs done to the drive one season ago and they are:<br />Rebuild on upper gearcase<br />Replaced upper gear sets<br />Install new water pump<br />Replaced ball gear<br />Reseal ballgear shaft bushing<br />Replace lower seal housing (used)<br />Bearing and race sets (4)<br />New prop and pin<br /> Well this is what the paperwork says that I have from the previos owner, tell me if they are the "usual" parts that fail on them or if I'm in for more fun!