I have an OMC Saildrive. Am I doomed?

[Project_Mayhem]

I just bought a 78 O'Day 25 that has a Saildrive. The previous owner has a lot of records and has been very helpful in answering any questions. The current state of the engine is as follows:

• PO put a couple gallons of gas with stablizer in the tank before putting it on the hard a couple of years ago. Engine fired up fairly easy and ran well when we tested it
• The test was done dry and we let the engine run for about a minute before shutting it down. The owner does not know when the water pump was last serviced
• The engine to hull seal was last replaced/resealed about 8 years ago when the engine was "removed, disassembled and serviced"
  
• Lower end lube and fuel filter was replaced prior to putting it in the water in 2016. That was the last season it was in the water
• The wiring is a freakin mess! There's a solid copper wire that looks like its providing a ground. PO stated that it's a work in progress and has started installing weather pack connectors which I think this is an excellent choice. The wiring works and I will continue to clean things up as time allows
• Spark plugs and lower end lube will be replaced and engine will be ran for a several hours before setting sail

So right now my main concerns are the water pump and the engine to hull seal. Service receipts also state that the lower cylinder has flooded in the past. My main questions are what are the highest priority items? Are parts available? Is there anything else that I need to inspect or replace?

 

[kloudie1]

Click on "Boat Info" then "Owner Resources" then "General Downloads" and scroll down to "OMC Zephyr".. That is the owner's manual.. The power head is the same as John/Evinrude 25hp from back in the day.. Sounds like a good trip .. For sure replace the water pump impeller if the engine was run for more than a few seconds (maybe 10) as that will have fried the thing without water to lube the impeller blades.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Even if he didnt run it dry it really should be replaced. He's had the boat for close to 15 years and has no idea when it was replaced. My main concern about servicing this engine is breaking seals and not being able to find new parts such as gaskets

 

[JRT]

I found these links pretty easy maybe they will help?

http://impliedconsent.us/Zephyr_Saildrive.html

https://www.crowleymarine.com/johnson-evinrude/EI3699.cfm

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Thank for the links John!

 

[Kyedmcc]

Welcome to being an O'Day 25 owner!
I have a 1982 25 and I've been working on her for awhile trying to get her ready to take me to the gulf from Iowa via the Mosouri and Mississippi rivers. Hate to say it but by nrunnig it out of water you now have to pull the head from the adapter plate to replace the complete water pump along with gaskets on adapter plate, she must be out of water to pull head! My best and easiest source was a Facebook group, about 3 dozen active omc zephyr owners will help you out willingly, there is also a fb group for 25' O'Day's that just got started with active friendly members and lots of info on our sailboats. I've posted files to both sites and have lots more to give, let me know and I'm here for you with complete manuals service and owners along with the exact parts you need along with propper sealants etc. to fix your zephyr or 25 O'Day. The zephyr is a trusty easy to work on motor parts are available above adapter plate, so if your lower parts are good you should be OK for awhile. Make sure you have properly gotten any h2o out of engine because a frozen cracked block is bad but replaceable with standard outboard of same era. Check out other groups and this one and like USAID I'm here for you my new oday\zephyr brother!
Kyedmcc@gmail.com

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Thank you Kyed! I feel a lot better knowing that parts are still available!

The boat is in a marina that's an hour and a half a way and has extremely limited access hours. It's difficult to order parts since I dont have access to the engine. When I looked up '78 Evinrude 25 & 35 engines I came up with several choices. Any recommendation on which one to choose?

Do you know of a source for a new engine to hull seal as well as part numbers?
I understand that lower cylinder flooding is somewhat common. Is there anything I should check or do to prevent this issue in the future?