Venom,vendicator & Ocean Pro

[Jim_Pat]

Been reading alot of posts just to get some knowledge and seeing several 225 V6's being talked about. From what I can see in the mid 90's OMC had several models, the Venom,Vindicator,Limited Edition Finger Ports and Ocean Pro's. Can anyone sum up the differences, which one is a better choice for performance, some more pron to failures or was it just paint and decals. From a reliability standpoint I havent really read anything bad, but I'm sure some will soon point them out.

Thanks

Jim

[Ronnie C.]

http://2strokeonly.com/LOOPER_INFO_HISTORY.html

Good info here.

[Markus]

From a reliability standpoint I havent really read anything bad, but I'm sure some will soon point them out.


If you have not read anything bad about the reliability of mid-nineties OMC V6 engines, I wonder what you have been reading. :)

Remember that these engines were made in the final years before the bankruptcy.

I once had a long list of the problems of OMC V6 engines in the mid/late nineties that a frustrated OMC mechanic posted on a bass board. The top ones from what I can remember:

On some of them, the bolts holding the top bearing holder were not properly fastened. It was not a good thing when the top bearing holder came loose. I think that was the Limited Edition.

On others, due to improper factory jetting or changed piston manufacturing procedures depending on whom you ask, the piston rings caught the exhaust ports after a long run in the upper mid-range. I think that was the Venom/Vindicator.

The best thing about the electronics is that they can be replaced by Yamaha electronics. Yamaha electronics live longer than Yamaha's aluminum alloy, so used Yamaha electronics are not difficult to find. A few guys out there perform the conversion.

Further, the oil injection system (VRO), although bullet-proof from the beginning according to some, for some reason caused a lot of factory long-block replacements under warranty, as well as a lot of people swearing never to buy another 2-stroke when the engine blew up outside warranty, and was redesigned every few years to make it even more bullet-proof.

Wayne Taylor got so frustrated that the factory never got around to fixing the gear case design that he started selling Yamahas. (While Yamaha based its powerhead on OMC, it chose to based its gear case on Mercury). You can get a Taylor mid and run a Sportmaster, though.

Except for Suzuki, Mercury and Yamaha, OMCs were the most reliable 2-stroke V6 outboards back in the mid nineties. :)

[native2]

I had three different evinrude ocean pros on my welcraft back in the day. Put over 1200 hrs on each motor. After over 3000 hrs on 3 different engines the only problem I ever had was a bad coil and had a set clutch dogs go bad on a gear case. They were all 225s. I did blow up the old 235 before switching to the new 225 blocks. The 225 was faster than the old 235. The old V20 Steplift Welcraft would run 63 mph back in the day with the 225. Thought I was flying back then..... LOL

[Jim_Pat]

Markus/Native2

I can relate to the top bearing. I bought 2 Ocean Pro's and one had that vary problem. We did not notice it till after we had it bored for new flanged sleeves. I thought the groves in the bore were matches to the orings but when we got ready for the next block we saw a different story. I called the seller and all he said was deal with it, I do everyday. Now it's a big scrap of aluminum with a pitted deck. (will never buy a salt water block again) I hope pistons are not an issue. I have read good things about Pro Marine and Vertex. As far as the VRO it has been removed and oil mixed. I have blown up both motors on my Eliminator twice. (4 rebuilds) As much as I hate to admit it, two of them were my fault. From I have read not enough clearance on the pistons (wiseco's) and improper break in. The other two I was told bad ignition. This has truely been a learning curve. In either case there are some pretty smart OMC people on this site and things will be done a little different on the next two. It looks like native2 had some good luck with his Ocean Pro's glad to hear someone is doing okay. As always, thank you for you suggestion and views. I think this is what makes this site so interesting. I hope to post some pic's and progress as these rebuilds start to take place. Looking for a 93/95 closed deck block and front half (STD Bore) if you know of one. Ronnie that site you noted has some good info also, thanks