Logo
FULL SITE MENU

OMC in-line 6 to 1971 165hp Mercruiser

K

kryptonitexp

New member
Hi,

I have a question. I have a 1971 Delta with a bad transom. The engine and outdrive work great. It has a 165hp Mercruiser (Chevy in-line 6 cyl engine) with, what I would guess is a Mercruiser I outdrive. I came across a guy that has a 1968 Sportcraft with an OMC in-line 6cyl. Engine is blown, but the OMC outdrive is good. Would my chevy engine mount into this? Would I need to put my outdrive on too (would it fit?)? What kind of problems am I likely to run into with this?

Thanks!
 
Re: OMC in-line 6 to 165hp Mercruiser

the basic engines are the same Chevrolet 250 cid, but it is not an advisable project.

A 1968 OMG is a nightmare
kryptonitexp said:
but the OMC outdrive is good.
Click to expand...
^^
that wasn't even true in 1968

You would be better off to find another hull with a mercruiser cutout, or just sell your parts and buy a nice running Mercruiser powered boat.
 
Re: OMC in-line 6 to 165hp Mercruiser

Hystat,

You hit the nail on the head for my dilema. I bought the Delta for $500 last year, knowing the engine and outdrive were likely good. Took a gamble on the hull. Got the engine running (very strong), got all hydraulics working, put it in and she ran like a top. Only problem (huge problem) was that the transom was rotten below the drive.

I pulled the engine and drive with the intent on redo'ing the transom, but found out that my life is much too busy for such a task at this point. What to do? Keep it around and hope to have enough time here and there to work on it? Sell the parts (sitting on a nice shorelander double axle trailer) for what I would guess to be about $1400 and see where that gets me? OR try to find a solid hull for my engine and outdrive and sell the trailer/scrap the hull.

Trying to get on the lake, but also trying to raise 4 kids, so don't have money laying around.

Thanks for the input as I have walked away a bit smarter.
 
Re: OMC in-line 6 to 165hp Mercruiser

I've done a lot of reading over the past day.

It appears to me that Mercruiser type "R" and Alpha-1 (generation 1)drives are interchangeable. Is that correct?

It looks like the generation 1 Alpha 1 was made up until 1990. If I find a solid hull and transom and the year is 1990 or older AND it had a mercruiser (other than a bravo) on it, I should be able to mount my Type R on it, right?

Thanks!
 
Re: OMC in-line 6 to 165hp Mercruiser

Hystat, I can't thank you enough.

As for the engine...

Do I need to be concerned about block length when looking at a hull? Such as, if it had a V-8 in it, the original block may be longer than my small block 6? Or will all Mercruiser equipped boats have a beam able to support/mount any mercruiser engine? (Sorry, I am very new to this working on boat stuff)

Do I need to be concerned with how the cooling system is? My Delta is freshwater and say the hull I am looking at had a closed loop system... Would I then be taking it down to just the cutout and putting my gimble housing, bearing, etc. in?

(Sorry for being a pest.)
 
Re: OMC in-line 6 to 165hp Mercruiser

If the hull had a V8, it probabaly needs a V8 -don't put a 165 where an 8 once was.

every engine bay is different. even on 2 identical boats with different engines, they may frame the bilge area differently and even locate stringer beams in different places.
 
Re: OMC in-line 6 to 165hp Mercruiser

Thanks for the info. I'm going to tomorrow to look at a 1979 Wellcraft hull.

If the guy is honest, the transom is rock solid, the hull isn't soft anywhere and the floor is sturdy. Had a small block chevy 6 in it that he pulled (I'm guessing a 165 given the year). Has a good outdrive on it and a good trailer. Hope he doesn't mind that I'm going to be pushing and poking at the boat, but I won't buy it unless I'm sure she's solid.

HYSTAT FOR PRESIDENT!
 
Back
Top