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Seeking Advice on Potential Purchase

M

mirafiori1

New member
Hello...just joined this board...what a great resource!! Anyway, I am new to Checkmates, but not new to boats. I am checking out an '84 Diplomat I/O. The boat looks extremely clean and well cared for. Everything is original and in great shape. It has the 3.8 liter V-6 with OMC outdrive, and that outdrive is my hesitation. I've always owned Mercruisers and NEVER had a motor or outdrive issue in many years. I am also fanatical about maintenence, but I know the Mercs have a great reputation. As far as this boat, I do not know which OMC unit it has, but whatever the 84's would have come with is what the boat has. If anyone knows which one it likely has, please chime in. I am thinking it is a Cobra??

So anyway, are my fears with the OMC drive justified? Would you pass on an otherwise nice boat because of the OMC unit. The current owner says the entire outdrive was recently rebuilt because it was stored up and water trapped in the lower unit, froze and cracked it. He wants $3900 for the boat and he seems pretty firm because the boat is so nice. Lastly, does the price seem fair?

Thanks for any and all feedback!!
 
i don't like those old omc's, you are dealing with an 800 series drive, cobra's didn't come out till 86 and were junk drives - they basically copied merc's design but screwed up with the shift cable and lower gears. a big recall that required omc to sell lawn boy to cover the costs.

the older 800 drives shift smothly, and turn very sharply, and all in all weren't a bad drive but they are old and parts are getting scarce especially since omc was sold to brp. i think you are better off finding something with a merc and pay a little more, at least parts are still plentiful for the r/mr/alpha drives. the omc's are also a pain to remove for servicing. just my 2 cents.
 
This is simple. Call Chris at Sterndrive Specialists. He is the best in the north east. His number is 315-623-7642 . Located near Syracuse NY. Ask him if you can readily get parts. He will point you in the right direction. He is the expert why go with opinions when you get answers.

My friends and I have had work done. He services all brands and models.
 
It is possible to replace the complete omc package with a mercruiser, but it means totally rebuilding the transom and cutting a new smaller hole for the merc at a cost of say 2500.oo if you have someone do it for you. then figure 8 to 10,000 for a new package. I love the V8 in my Diplomat but it is heavy in the stern.
 
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