OMC to Berkley swap

I just bought a 1974 Cobalt 18 ft. tri hull with a 307ci. chevy OMC enginewith a berkley pump,the last owner told me that it had originaly had a OMC jet.The same time I found this boat there was another one equipted the same,my question is was this a fairly common conversion and what kind of performance can I expect from it.I'm mainly going to be doing some recreational skiing and towing grand kids around on tubes.

 

Are you sure it is a 307? That sounds like a Pontiac engine.

 

307 is a chev. lots of them here were fitted to 1969 holden cars.

 

Yes I'm sure it's a chevy.They put them in cars from about 68 through the early 70s and made the marine version for OMC rated for 210 to 245 HP depending on the year.

 

As far as I know OMC never made a jet pump but put their name on a Berkeley for a short while, just like Mercruiser did in the past. Because of the poor performance compared to stern drives they quickly abandoned the idea and sold it under its own name again.

 

I -think- Mercruiser was a panther jet.

Anyway, It should work fine for tubing with the kiddies etc.

-jim lee

 

Thanks everybody, if it seems low on horse power for next season I'm looking at putting a small block 383 stroker in that I have left over from a stock car.

 

If you need pump work in So Cal. Talk to Jack - Marine Performance designs
949-631-2040

Good luck!

-jim lee

 

I'll keep that in mind. I'm taking it to a local lake Thurs. morning first to see if it floats then if it does give it a short spin around the lake.