1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

asdasc

asdasc

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Hi All, I have been posting regularily on the outboard pages, and have finally gotten around to facing the fact that my outdrive on the 'good boat' died this summer. It is a 1990 4.3L with an OMC Cobra model #986032. A buddy had it out with his kids and they heard a loud thunk and the motor died. When he restarted the engine, the outdrive made really bad crunchy sounds he said, so he shut it down immediately. From what I could tell from a quick look it looks like something leaked and all the gear lube got replaced with water. This is what the inside of the top cover looked like - bits of metal everywhere.

What can you tell me? What would you reccommend? Is it cheaper to rebuild it myself? Should I pull it and find a used one on ebay? Any guess what this will cost or what parts will need to be replaced? Is this something I should leave to pros with special tools?

Any advice would be appreciated.
 

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asdasc

asdasc

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Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

I read another post that said the serial # was also important. Just in case, here it is: 10703227

Thanks in advance,
 
180shabah

180shabah

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Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

I don't know what kind of boat this is, but after you start pricing a replacement drive(or even a rebuild) it may not be worth putting the money into. Cobras just keep getting more and more expensive.
 
Gary H NC

Gary H NC

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Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

As far as the rebuild,by the time you get all the tools needed and gear sets and other parts you would come out better finding a good used drive..
I see them on Craigslist pretty often too..
 
asdasc

asdasc

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Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

Thanks for the responses, guys. That is what I was hoping. That a used one the best bet. The boat is a ChrisCraft Concept 198 cuddy in great condition, so it would be well worth it if I can do it for under $1000 or so.

What do you think the used outdrive will cost? What other costs do I need to consider? Should I have the used one resealed regardless of what the ads tell me?

It looks like from what I have read that pulling it and replacing it is pretty easy and I can do it myself. Agreed?

One last question is what does this weigh? I am doing it outside in winter while the boat is on a trailer in the yard at my cottage. I won't be able to get a cherry picker on it, so I was planning to set the skeg on a block and tilt it away from the boat once it is unbolted, then lay it on the grass. Is this doable?

Thanks again,
 
Gary H NC

Gary H NC

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asdasc

asdasc

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Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

Thank you VERY much for the help, it is much appreciated. There will be at least two of us there, maybe 3 when we pull it. I will pick up the other parts you mentioned.

Also, it looks like any Cobra outdrive from 86-93 will work when looking on eBay. Is that correct, or do I have to find one with the exact model number I have?

Thanks again,
 
a70eliminator

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Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

asdasc said:
Thank you VERY much for the help, it is much appreciated. There will be at least two of us there, maybe 3 when we pull it. I will pick up the other parts you mentioned.

Also, it looks like any Cobra outdrive from 86-93 will work when looking on eBay. Is that correct, or do I have to find one with the exact model number I have?

Thanks again,
Click to expand...


Cobra drives from 86-93 are not all the same, different ratio's for different engines, the ratios are determined by the upper gearcase, lowers are pretty much the same for 6 & 8 cylinder engines.
 
Gary H NC

Gary H NC

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Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

You will need one from a 4.3 to have the same gear ratio....I think the ones from a 5.0 are geared the same (not Certain)
The ones from a 3.0 and a 5.7 are geared different too.

One of our members Boatin Bob is really good for info on those drives..
 
chiefalen

chiefalen

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Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

You might get away with a volvo drive of the same year.

But Don s will have to chime in.

But i'm wondering what it would cost for a pro to rebuild it?

You have guys where you are that do cobras?

Always iffy when you buy used.

And you need one geared right.

Did you call joe- tell him allen sent ya? He won't screw ya.

He had a bunch of cobras last time i was there.
 
Gary H NC

Gary H NC

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Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

I looked at that on on ebay i posted the link to again.....
That is a really clean looking drive from a fresh water 4.3.
The guy is selling the gimbal housing,trim rams and all with it.
That would be a heck of a deal if you could get it.
 
asdasc

asdasc

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Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

Yes, I agree. It looks perfect for me. I have it on my watch list and will bid on it. It hasn't hit the reserve yet, so he could have that at $2000, but we won't know until I start bidding, I guess. I will also call Joe to get a price. I take it he is also in Jersey? I assume he ships them. I will confirm.
 
sundowner205

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Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

asdasc said:
Yes, I agree. It looks perfect for me. I have it on my watch list and will bid on it. It hasn't hit the reserve yet, so he could have that at $2000, but we won't know until I start bidding, I guess. I will also call Joe to get a price. I take it he is also in Jersey? I assume he ships them. I will confirm.
Click to expand...

You could always message him with an offer...I'd offer him $1000 + shipping to end the auction early and see what he says. Perhaps he will respond with a counter-offer. That setup is definitely worth that price. Especially if he guarantees in writing that it operates properly. It says he has a 7 day return policy due to mechanical failure.

What do you have to lose? If he rejects the offer you could always just bid on it...
 
Gary H NC

Gary H NC

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Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

I would email the guy and make an offer...you never know.

If the bidding gets up to the reserve price you can use free programs that will bid in the last couple seconds for you.
They are free to try and i have used them and won on Ebay.

Google Bidnapper or bid sniper..;)

I got my boat that way...
I emailed the seller and made an offer.He did not take it so i used the sniper program.
I offered him 1500 bucks and ended up getting the boat for 1100...:D

He had no reserve on it but there were about 15 people bidding.

Here is a link,http://www.bidnapper.com/
 
asdasc

asdasc

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Re: 1990 4.3L OMC Outdrive gone bad

Yes, actually, eBay has that feature built in, right? You can tell them your max bid and it will creep up the bidding in increments until you are above the other guys bids.

I have another question, in the picture here. Do I only have to seperate it where the line is drawn? I don't have to go all the way to the transome, right?

(I know, my baby is a mess! I am forced to store it in the water all summer. The 1st 15 years she was kept in heated rack storage year round. It makes me cry to see her like this. I have washed it since the picture was taken and it looks good again.)
 

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