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omc electric shift 73

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russellp

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I recently bought a 73 skiff craft with a 307 cui and an omc electric shift outdrive ( Half lower outdrive sold already) im looking for any suggestions on replacing this poorly designed electric shift. could i upgrade to a newer outdrive that will fit in the trandsom cutout. im open to all suggestions thanks russellp
 
Nothing but a another electric shift omc will fit that cutout. But what you can do if you in love with your hull and can't live without it is get a donor boat with a bad engine and good drive say a merc drive geared for a 5.0 / 305 ci. I am assuming your 307 is running good. Pull the engine in your boat, cutout around the cutout of the donor boat and then match the cutout in your hull you get the idea.
You need everything from the donor boat.. steering, throttle cables in short everything. all your keeping from your hull is the engine and the mounts.
Bond-o does this conversion all the time.
 
I believe this may be a "Stringer" drive in which case the stringers of the boat support the motor and the drive. The transom may not have enough structure to support a merc drive.
 
There is nothing wrong with the Electric Shift OMC, as I have one in my boat that wasn't maintained very well, but that side of it is perfect. Some say not, but not everyone likes things that other people like.

The biggest killer with an electric shift dying is using the incorrect lubricant, and trying to buy replacement ball gears for the Press-in type. The tapered bolt on ones are everywhere.

Bruce.
 
In all the stringer boats I've ever seen the transoms weren't strong enough to support an updated unit like a Cobra or Mercrusier. Unless you want to build the transom up.
 
Yes, the Transom in a "Stringer" boat is only there to keep the water out, a mounting plate for the rubber gasket, and a triangulation member for the bottom, sides and stringer mounts.

If you are onlu needing the Leg, to replace the missing one, in the long term, it should be easier to find one, than to reconstruct the stern to carry a load-bearing drive unit. It can be done, and has been done, but not for the feint-hearted.

Bruce.
 
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