hi all,
has anyone ever removed an omc (chevy v8) stern drive and either... repowered the boat with diesel (with existing OMC stern drive) or replace the stern drive and engine with a different combo. i'd rather use the same mounting/transom setup, hence the use of the existing outdrive. but with the demise of OMC, i need to consider replacing this as well. current combo works, so i'm not in a hurry, but i am looking down the road of removing all gas from the boat (much prefer diesel).

thanks,

johnny


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Posts: 10 | From: atlanta, ga | Registered: Sep 2002 | Logged: 208.21.112.200

pirate
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posted 09-12-2002 06:58 AM
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I have an idea that I have not seen applied, back in the 70s GM had chevy and Oldmobile diesel engines in cars, they were a flop and had problems. I think you may be able to refine that for a boat and all your housings etc would bolt up. Putting a diesel in can be very expensive because of the marine application, water manifolds etc. You do not see many diesel powered houseboats and this is one of the reasons.I am sure you could find the componants in a junk yard and go from there. Weight and space and performance were other reasons. This would not add much to the weight and would be inexpensive. Just an idea.
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Ed Orton,The Pirate.


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Posts: 909 | From: Decatur and Florence AL. USA | Registered: Feb 99 | Logged: 205.188.209.108

johnqx4
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posted 09-12-2002 01:02 PM
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hey ed,
btw, i have not had the opportunity to say hello... hello. i love the board and have read all (most of the archived post and have enjoyed it and found it most informative!

now that you mention it, i have friend that pulled one from an oldsmobile and replaced it with gas. i believe that he still has it sitting in a shed. if i could get it running good that would be by far the easiest way... then i could one fuel source for the engine and the generator...

thanks for the idea, it just might work.

johnny


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Posts: 10 | From: atlanta, ga | Registered: Sep 2002 | Logged: 208.21.112.200

stmbtwle
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posted 09-14-2002 07:38 AM
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I replaced a pair of chryslers with a single 30 year old Perkins, and have never regretted it. It ALWAYS starts, the fuel economy is phenomenal, and I feel a lot safer than I would with gas. Chevy and others still make diesel pickup trucks, and they're quite popular. One of those engines may be a match-up for your outdrive. Make sure you can find manifolds to fit whatever engine you choose, BEFORE you spend money on it. Without them you're pretty well out of luck.
In any case the changeover isn't going to be cheap, and if you just "putz around the lake" the fuel savings probably won't be worth it. However you can't put a price on peace of mind!


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Posts: 136 | From: Ruskin FL USA | Registered: Mar 99 | Logged: 67.243.83.110

OLD HOUSEBOATER
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posted 09-14-2002 11:52 AM
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1. THE OMC WON'T HANDLE A DIESEL.
2. THE OLDSMOBILE _base_D GM DIESELS WOULDN'T EVEN HOLD UP IN A CAR MUCH LESS A BOAT.

3. THE OLD EATON/CHRYSLER DRIVE 90S WOULD HANDLE A DIESEL AS WELL AS WELL AS SOME MERCRUISER TRS UNITS.

4. YOU WOULD BE MUCH BETTER OFF TO GO VEE DRIVE.

5. MOST OMC UNITS ARE OBSOLETE AND YOU WOULD END UP PUTTING MONEY INTO A DOG THAT NOBODY WOULD WANT.

6. COST OF CONVERSION COULD EXCEED THE VALUE OF THE BOAT.

I WOULD SUGGEST YOU OVERHAUL WHAT YOU HAVE. YOU WILL BE MONEY AHEAD AND STILL HAVE A BOAT YOU CAN SELL. MOST BUYERS SHY AWAY FROM BOATS THAT ARENT IN THE ORIGIONAL CONFIGURATION.


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Posts: 359 | From: ROGERSVILLE, AL. USA | Registered: May 99 | Logged: 216.231.187.3

johnqx4
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posted 09-16-2002 01:01 PM
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to: old houseboater
jeeze, you just had to toss in a little reality didn't you. what'd you go and do that for?

just kidding. thanks for a dose of common sense,

johnny

why do the call it common sense when so damn few seem to have any ?


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Posts: 10 | From: atlanta, ga | Registered: Sep 2002 | Logged: 208.21.112.200

pirate
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posted 09-22-2002 08:59 PM
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The boards have been down so I have not responded till now. Old Houseboater is correct as usual but if you wanted a diesel the Omc would have handled it using the Oldsmobile appication as you would have no more power than you do now. He is rt they were not dependable. you could do it for less than a $1000 tho. I agree that you should just leave it as is, OlD Houseboater is a retired Senior GM engineer, he knows, that is why he drives Lincolns. My name is Henry Edsel so I do too. Had to say it.
[ 09-22-2002: Message edited by: pirate ]

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Ed Orton,The Pirate.


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Posts: 909 | From: Decatur and Florence AL. USA | Registered: Feb 99 | Logged: 152.163.189.230

stmbtwle
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posted 09-23-2002 06:15 AM
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Seems like most of the diesel-on-a-gas-block have LESS power than the original gas engine, but an "original" diesel would have a lot more torque... they're just built different.
Ex #1 once observed that all the GM mechanics in our town drove Fords or Dodges, while all the Ford mechanics drove Chevys or Dodges, and all the DODGE mechanics drove Fords or Chevys. They ALL have their problems.... A retired FORD engineer might drive an Oldsmobile diesel.


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Posts: 136 | From: Ruskin FL USA | Registered: Mar 99 | Logged: 67.243.35.222