King Cobra to SX Cobra conversion

[davidedgar]

The King Cobra stern drive on my 1988 IMP w/ 460 cu. in. "King Cobra" engine has "failed". I live in Belize City, Belize Central America. I have found an 1998 SX Cobra stern drive off a Volvo Penta that bolts up nicely. Only thing, it doesn't have a water pump on the stern drive as my old unit did. Plus, the shift linkage is totally different.<br /><br />I need help!!!! I need part #'s, price and availability for the obviously needed external water pump w/mounting brackets if possible. Also, part #'s for the replacement shift cable. I am told because this SX Cobra unit has the cone clutches, I can eliminate the micro switches at the carburetor.<br /><br />Technical help in this small 3rd world country is "non-existant".<br /><br />Please contact me by email: davidedgar@btl.net with any and all suggestions ASAP

 

[a.d.mobile]

Re: King Cobra to SX Cobra conversion

You will have to replace the inner and outer transom brackets. then replace the remote control cable. the 1988 king cobra was just a regular cobra that you can buy on e-bay or after market. the sx would be great if you can do all the work yourself and will be more costly then replacing orginal. what failed on the old one??

 

[davidedgar]

Re: King Cobra to SX Cobra conversion

I have replaced the inner and outer brackets as you said. The SX Cobra stern drive is now on my boat. I need the part #'s for the needed external water pump w/mounting bracket. I have replaced the shift cable from the stern drive to the carburetor with a 6' cable with the end that matched up with the shift linkage needed at the stern drive, but the end at the carbureator is completely different. I would like to continue to use the micro-switches.<br /><br />What failed on the "old" one was the pinion gear. That is the gear immediately after the U-joints. Actually, this is the 2nd failure for that gear. I replaced the upper gear housing once already which includes that gear.<br /><br />Looking at the SX Cobra drive, it appears that the bearing for that pinion gear has been enlarged which should take some stress off the gear while under load.<br /><br />Thear are no OMC or Volvo-Penta dealers in this entire country. I live in a small 3rd world country in Central America. So, doing it myself is the only way it can get done.<br /><br />I have started the engine with this SX drive on the boat and it shifts fine. Just no water pump is all. Plus, I will have to "re-engineer" the shift cable at the carbureator.<br /><br />I was in the hope that V-P would have a kit to facilitate this changeover.<br /><br />Any hope at all that is true?

 

[Lou C]

Re: King Cobra to SX Cobra conversion

Check out www.dougrusselmarine.com for both Volvo and OMC parts diagrams, and I found a place located in Canada that sells the conversion kit--check out www.sterndrives.ca/used_parts.asp they list the phone # 506-523-4372 and e-mail rush27@nbenet.nb.ca<br />I e-mailed them about this and they did reply to me, I am not replacing the Cobra yet because it is still shifting well but if I needed to rebuild it changing to the volvo SX, even tho more costly initially would seem to make more sense, and the boat would be easier to eventually resell since OMC drives tend to make the selling more difficult.

 

[davidedgar]

Re: King Cobra to SX Cobra conversion

Are you sure about the website address for dougrusselmarine??????? Thanks for your help, but when I attempt to access the address, www.dougrusselmarine.com, I can't get there.<br /><br />I have sent an email to rush27@nbenet.nb.ca and I am awaiting a reply.<br /><br />Please keep me posted with any other help.

 

[davidedgar]

Re: King Cobra to SX Cobra conversion

The email I sent to rush27@nbenet.nb.ca was "returned"??????????? Please re-confirm both addresses for me.

 

[Lou C]

Re: King Cobra to SX Cobra conversion

sorry it is www.dougrussell.com<br />the e-mail is rush27@nbnet.nb.ca if it is not good try calling, I actually called then today and spoke with the tech guy who is very helpful!

 

[a.d.mobile]

Re: King Cobra to SX Cobra conversion

the use of interupter switches with a cone clutch is not nessary. the cables, the one to the carb should be the same. the shift cable will go from control to the drive 1 pice. you will probally have to get the preformed water hoses for the pump kit also. this will be a great system when done good job on getting it done over there!

 

[davidedgar]

Re: King Cobra to SX Cobra conversion

First, let me thank all who are taking the time to answer my "postings" on this problem. I was able to locate the "original" external water pump that came off the "seized" 454 cu.in. Chevy engine that had the SX Cobra stern drive hooked up to it. The next challenge is mounting the bracket for the water pump and finding appropriate water hoses.<br /><br />When that is completed, I am still confronted with whether to continue to utilize the micro-switches or not. I understand that since this SX dive has "cone type" clutches, the "shift interruption is not necessary. Do I just leave the microswitches as they are in that case?????????

 

[davidedgar]

Re: King Cobra to SX Cobra conversion

I understand "pre-formed" water hoses would be 1st preference. But having parts shipped here is a real "hassle". Here the Customs folks charge "duty" on all items that enter the country. It can be "outrageous"!!!! The "duty" is a "tariff" based on the price of the item(s) including shipping charges.<br /><br />That is why it is always preferable to acquire parts locally. Even "used" parts. I paid $275.00US for the SX Cobra stern drive including the water pump which only needed a new "impeller" and it only had about 200 hrs. on it. That wouldn't have paid for the shipping to purchase a "rebuilt" or E-Bay special!<br /><br />Living here is a real "experience". I will call the ph# given for the place in Canada tomorrow to get some "one on one" phone help.<br /><br />Thanks Again.

 

[Gordiegaffer]

Re: King Cobra to SX Cobra conversion

can you put a duoprop on regular cobra

 

[Don S]

Re: King Cobra to SX Cobra conversion

OLD 2003 Thread

Don't just tack on to someone elses post, even if it's old, start a new thread.
After a couple of replies, if you even get one being at the end of the thread, your question will be lost.