1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

[sundowner205]

Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

That would be the easiest way of replacing it, yes. Just remove those 6 nuts, the ram nuts and rod, and the drive will pull rite off. There really is no need to replace the pivot housing, that is unless it was somehow damaged as well.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

Yes,6 bolts there and remove the big bolt that goes through the lower drive and holds the trim cylinders.

The Ebay sniper program sucks..i have tried it.Bidnapper is better and you can put your max price in just like Ebay...it works..

 

[asdasc]

Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

Thanks for the tips on the Bidnapper, guys.

Also, you answered another question for me about the rams. There is a rod that goes all the way thru and comes out. I haven't looked much at it yet, but wasn't sure how that works. I did find some pretty detailed instructions on how it comes apart somewhere on line that I plan to print and take out there with me. I probably won't pull this one until I have the new one ready to go with the gaskets and seals. That way I can do it all in a day.

I also did an eBay advanced search, and those seem to be selling for $650-750 on eBay, so there is hope that I can do the whole thing for under a grand. Like someone else here said, though, you really don't know what you are buying.

There are 3 on there for sale right now.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

I saw on ebay a bowrider with a 140 merc.

My 2.5 omc gave up the ghost.

I was all over looking for a 4 banger.

Saw alot, i mean alot, of 3.7, so i called him he never got one bid.

I said a one hundrend over the opening bid and i got the whole boat with the trailer cheap.

There was no floor but the motor back to the transom assy. was good.

Just the upper and lower of the alpha 1 was bad.

I still got everything next to my house no use for it.

If your wait keep looking you can get the whole shebang for cheaper than just the out drive.

The trailer i put under my Arrow glass .

Be patient.

 

[asdasc]

Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

True, I have most of the winter to look for one, really. I would like to get it done, however.

You are right, the way boat prices have dropped, I probably could get the whole thing for what it would cost just for some of the outdrives. Rebuilt ones are over $2000.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

This would be a VERY wise investment. You will need to do all of the shift cable adjustments as well as measuring the bell crank and the shift linkage on top of the engine.
Without the book its not possible.
You don't want to mess up the replacement drive!!

The aftermarket Clymers and Seloc books are crap.

Here is the real OEM manual..everything you will need to know for service and up to a complete rebuild..No Cobra owner should be without one!!
I know the seller and he is a good guy.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Man...rs_Manuals_Literature?_trksid=p4506.m20.l1116

 

[asdasc]

Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

I just ordered the manual, thanks for the tip. I also found the two websites below to be very helpful information.

Cobra outdrive information

Step by step How-To's

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

Those are great links.
Good luck in finding the replacement drive.
Keep us posted...

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

Your drive model # 986032 is for a 1990 4.3 with a gear ratio of 1.68:1 and that was the same from 86 to 93, in 94 it changed slightly as well the whole drive did. If the deal Gary found on ebay doesn't happen (nice looking drive too) then you can be flexible with the years but I would stay with 90 and newer. That book Gary found is the only one to buy IMHO (That Gary is a great guy isn't he, he doesn't hesitate to help anyone spend their money )

 

[asdasc]

Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

Thanks Bob,

Yeah I am pretty good at spending other peoples money, also! I will say that if a $60 book helps save a $1000 outdrive, it is money well spent. As the boat gets older, having that book will become much handier, so it is an investment.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

Oh.....its just money Bob!!

Hey at least its being spent on something worth while...BOAT!!!

Thanks for the info too Bob...our Cobra Guru!


asdasc,you will love that manual! Its like the Bible for Cobras...

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

23 hours left for the Ebay auction....The seller lowered the reserve!
Time to email him...

Looks like the prop and all is included...heck of a deal even if the reserve is over 1000...

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

Gary is a great guy, helped me spend money also.

Found a hard to find coupler for my boat.

Gary that is a nice boat you have there.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

Gary is a great guy, helped me spend money also.

Found a hard to find coupler for my boat.

Gary that is a nice boat you have there.

Thanks Chiefalen...

Its easy to spend other peoples money..lol! It gives me something to do so i don't spend mine...

I'm sitting here waiting on the big brown truck right now to bring me parts to work on my motor....Dang UPS comes later in the day all the time..

 

[asdasc]

Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

In the add on eBay that we are watching, it lists a model number that is not listed in the OEM service manual page for the book I bought. Should I be concerned? They also don't show a year for that outdrive...

They are showing a model number 985685, and mine is a 986032.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

Maybe Bob will let you know if he can look that number up.
I don't think it will be a problem at all though.I would email the seller and ask what year it is.
It should all match up perfectly. From 86 to the early 90's there wasn't many changes in those drives.

Here is another one on Ebay.I have bought from this guy before,Good seller.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OMC-COBRA-4.3-LITER--(--V-6-)-STERNDRIVE-%2F-OUTDRIVE_W0QQitemZ190266268884QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20081112?IMSfp=TL0811121210004r23974

Its in Medway Ohio(Dayton area) maybe you could drive down if it was cheaper than shipping it.

 

[asdasc]

Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

Yes, there are actually 4 on there that I am watching:

engine mod # current $ location
4.3 985685 $887 TN
5.0 984542 569 WI
5.0/5.7 985685 355 OH
5.7 983844 405 OH

Interesting that the last two are being sold by the same guy. Also interesting that the first and third have the same model number but list differenct engines.

The guy in OH would be best so that I could drive there and pick it up. From what I have learned, the older pre 1990 ones have a sleightly different shift jacket that has an improved replacement, but I can't tell from my pictures yet if that is in the transome or the sterndrive.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

The one in Tenn. is a 1987 model.
The guy in Oh. sells all kinds of boat parts.I bought a trim pump and some other stuff from him before.
The one in Tenn. is a great deal with all that comes with it..Looks like its going to sell for under 1000...

 

[sundowner205]

Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

Wow. That complete unit is only at $887 with the reserve met! Someone is getting a complete steal.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

Freshwater also. If you buy used stuff thats the only way to go.

You called the guy near me heres the link i bought from him before.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Part...rms=39:1|65:10|240:1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245