Outdrive

[Ramuschera]

[]I have a 1980 Cobalt that is in like new condition that I just acquired from the original owner. I was told that there is a problem in the out drive. I’m trying to determine what type of drive it is. There are no stickers or numbers on it. The only thing I see that’s different from what I’m used to seeing is that there’re no hydraulic cylinders to lift it up and down just a gear. Can anyone tell me what type it is and possibly a breakdown of the internal parts. I’d appreciate any help. Thanks

[Ramuschera]

IMG_1691.jpeg

[jwill323]

something like that?

[jwill323]

that's an old OMC outdrive, unfortunately OMC is long out of business and i don't think the parts are available for them. good news may be that you can find old complete drives for cheap so you may be able to swap a drive or piece a working one together.

[Stagdad]

Like Jwill323 said it's an OMC outdrive. Long gone.

[billk2632]

OMC stringer. Like mentioned not made anymore and parts are scarce. That gear is the trim system of the day that was later replaced with hydraulics. Called a stringer because the outdrive is mounted to the stringers of the boat like the engine and not to the transom. That huge rubber ring was one of the pitfalls of that drive - there are no bellows like modern drives, just that big rubber gasket - which will eventually leak. As a kid I remember our lake neighbor had a Century with one of those -- nice boat ran great until one night out on the lake that gasket started leaking and the boat literally sank out from under them! The next generation OMC drive was the Cobra which is much like a Merc Alpha I a decent drive, but then OMC went bankrupt and was purchased by Bombardier and that was the end of the OMC outboards / sterndrives.

[Kate]

". . . there is a problem in the out drive."

Can you give any specifics?

If it's the transom rubber gasket, check eBay.

[Ramuschera]

What kind of out drive can be used to replace it??

[jwill323]

unfortunately nothing but another working OMC. The way that drive mounts with the large rubber gasket and i believe actually the mounting location of the engine there is no economically feasible way to convert it to something more modern. Best bet is to see if you can find a working OMC drive replace the non working one and enjoy the boat for what it is. Does the engine run?

[Kate]

"What kind of out drive can be used to replace it??"

There's a conversion kit to replace it with a Merc drive.

My limited understanding is that the conversion is complex and expensive. Check with a local, trusty mechanic.

What model boat do you have? And pics of it?

[Titaniumboy]

Maybe these guys can help repair the OMC outdrive?

T.C. Electronics/Marine. https://www.sterndrive.info/


I have no experience with this company linked above. He also has a YouTube channel where he has some videos regarding OMC outdrive repair.

https://youtube.com/@waynecoll?si=kn6F55jBd2yF1XJl

[AsLan7]

.
So glad you found us Ram….

Hopefully you can find an OMC remanufactured or similar outdrive. Keep us posted.

And welcome aboard mate.

.

[bruceb58]

"What kind of out drive can be used to replace it??"

There's a conversion kit to replace it with a Merc drive.

My limited understanding is that the conversion is complex and expensive. Check with a local, trusty mechanic.

What model boat do you have? And pics of it?

If is was the OMC Cobra, there is a conversion kit. No such thing exists for the Stringer drives.

Problem there is a huge hole that needs to be filled in in order to allow a Mercruiser or Volvo to fit.