I have an 87 Sea Ray Sundancer with twin 4.3 (V6)'s and OMC Cobra outdrives.
The outdrives are in sad shape, and need major work. Since I plan to keep
the boat for a while, I was wondering on the practicality of switching to
mercruiser outdrives.

Rebuilt mercruisers seem to be less expensive (and easier to get parts and
service) than my OMCs.

I don't have much experience working with outdrives, but have worked on
engines and such for a while - pretty handy with a wrench. I think I could
do most of the install work with the help of the manuals.

Anybody have any experience/opinion on this type of project? I understand
(?) that the transom cutouts are different, so I might have to do some
fiberglass work. Is this a major deal? Will my existing engines mate up to
the different drives, or would the engines have to be remounted?

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks in advance,
Bill

I'm not entirely sure but if I remember right when OMC started the Cobra
line the designed it with the same transom cutout as the Mercruiser Alpha's.
It's possible that has since changed or I'm mistaken.


--
Keith & Laura Koether
Pleasure Island
Blue Ribbon Marina, Hogans Creek
Ohio River Mi. 497 RDB
http://thebayguide.com/rec.boats/koether.html

"Bill Netterville" wrote in message
m...
I have an 87 Sea Ray Sundancer with twin 4.3 (V6)'s and OMC Cobra
outdrives.
The outdrives are in sad shape, and need major work. Since I plan to keep
the boat for a while, I was wondering on the practicality of switching to
mercruiser outdrives.

Rebuilt mercruisers seem to be less expensive (and easier to get parts and
service) than my OMCs.

I don't have much experience working with outdrives, but have worked on
engines and such for a while - pretty handy with a wrench. I think I could
do most of the install work with the help of the manuals.

Anybody have any experience/opinion on this type of project? I understand
(?) that the transom cutouts are different, so I might have to do some
fiberglass work. Is this a major deal? Will my existing engines mate up to
the different drives, or would the engines have to be remounted?

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks in advance,
Bill

I would check to see that the Gimble housing hole is the same size. You
could make it bigger if neccessary. Making it smaller would not be a cost
effective option.
"Bill Netterville" wrote in message
m...
I have an 87 Sea Ray Sundancer with twin 4.3 (V6)'s and OMC Cobra
outdrives.
The outdrives are in sad shape, and need major work. Since I plan to keep
the boat for a while, I was wondering on the practicality of switching to
mercruiser outdrives.

Rebuilt mercruisers seem to be less expensive (and easier to get parts and
service) than my OMCs.

I don't have much experience working with outdrives, but have worked on
engines and such for a while - pretty handy with a wrench. I think I could
do most of the install work with the help of the manuals.

Anybody have any experience/opinion on this type of project? I understand
(?) that the transom cutouts are different, so I might have to do some
fiberglass work. Is this a major deal? Will my existing engines mate up to
the different drives, or would the engines have to be remounted?

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks in advance,
Bill