4.3L HO OMC Cobra problems

[BiONetworks]

Hello, <br />I have a 1992 4.3L omc cobra. The ignition module went out in it recently. I check bombardie at work and they have discontinued it since 2002. We have been tryin to get a 3.8L ignition module from a buick to work in it, but no luck, seems that some of the pins are interchanged. Our only option we are looking into is converting the ignition from CDI back to the distributer style. Does anyone have any comments or suggestions on this? Bombardie has been most unhelpful since i spent a good part of my day on the phone with them and they pretty much said im sol. <br />thanx guys<br />-Ryan

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: 4.3L HO OMC Cobra problems

When Bombardier bought out OMC they did not continue the sterndrive division.Parts seem to be NLA very quickly.Wait until you need an exhaust manifold.<br />I agree you have to go back to points/distributor.<br />DHP

 

[BiONetworks]

Re: 4.3L HO OMC Cobra problems

Theres a couple places with used parts but this ignition seems to be pretty rare. I could prolly get a 3.8L buick to work but we for some odd reason, we dont have omc cobra service manuals at my work. If i just knew what the wires go to on the ignition module id be set. I can easily get a gm ignition wiring diagrams. If anyone would happen to know what the wires went to it would be helpful, should just be in the electrical section of a omc crobra 4.3 ho manual.

 

[BiONetworks]

Re: 4.3L HO OMC Cobra problems

Also were there ANY other sterndrives that used the 4.3L HO with that ignition or was it just OMC?

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: 4.3L HO OMC Cobra problems

Last night I looked at Mecriser,but it is not the same .Your 4.3 HO seems to be a loner.I'd next go to repairinc.com or maybe its repair.com.<br />DHP

 

[seahorse5]

Re: 4.3L HO OMC Cobra problems

Checking with the parts book and the price book, it shows that your ignition module was #987194 and is now superceded by #3854077 for about $134. It is a current part number.<br /><br />You can also use the module from the electronic ignition conversion kit that was for the old points and condeser engines, part # 988165.<br /><br />I just checked on availability, and each of Bombardier's national parts depots has them in stock. Who told you they were no longer made?

 

[BiONetworks]

Re: 4.3L HO OMC Cobra problems

I am the person who found this part# im a parts manager so i have access to bombariers DIS that shows what warehouses have in stock.<br />The part # you have is coming up as the distributer style setup. The motor i have is actually breaking down as a 1992 (my bad). Its the Ignition Module/Coil pack style ignition with no distributer. You gota check the 4.3L HO style. I cant even find service manuals for this style ignition.

 

[BiONetworks]

Re: 4.3L HO OMC Cobra problems

Yea DHPMARINE from what ive found after being on the phone for a while, it was a specific OMC product, and the engine was only made for 2 years. Heh my luck

 

[BiONetworks]

Re: 4.3L HO OMC Cobra problems

DHPMARINE none of those websites you gave me are working, can you gime the one that it is when ya get a chance please thanx

 

[Lou C]

Re: 4.3L HO OMC Cobra problems

I recall that someone on Boatered had an OMC with a Ford 460 and the splitfire electronic ignition. Supposedly it was used for a few years and the modules were actually made for OMC by Ford. They stopped making them, and the upshot was that the person basically had to convert back to the points and condenser ignition. What I would do is see if you can get the points distributor and coil for an OMC 4.3. The other thing you could do, if you want to stay with an electronic system, is to get a Petronix electronic ignition (you have to wire up a diode circuit to have the OMC ESA work). Search around, there is info out there on using the Petronix on an OMC engine. For me I am going to just leave mine with points, it is a prehistoric system but it works!

 

[BiONetworks]

Re: 4.3L HO OMC Cobra problems

yea im looking at going back to distributer but i am guna check into that thanx louC

 

[seahorse5]

Re: 4.3L HO OMC Cobra problems

Biohazard,<br /><br />Now that you say the engine is an HO series, that's a whole different ball game! <br /><br />Perhaps removing the Spitfire ignition built by Motorola ( I believe) and installing a Prestolite distributor assy from a regular 1992 4.3 might be the only way to go. If I remember correctly, there may have to be some mods done.

 

[BiONetworks]

Re: 4.3L HO OMC Cobra problems

Yea sea i just got done pricing out a dist setup. Looks like new distributer assembly, new main wire harness (which they discontinued and only have 1 left in baltimore) coil wire/plug wires, coil, and engine cable bracket around 450 bucks. <br />That at least is what a bombardier tech and a service tech at work told me i will need. <br /><br />and LouC, im having a hard time finding the pertronix conversion info for that but ill keep trying.

 

[Lou C]

Re: 4.3L HO OMC Cobra problems

Check out this website--<br />www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/index.html<br />There is a lot of Cobra know how there, and he also has some info on the Petronix system as well.<br />Hope that helps.

 

[BiONetworks]

Re: 4.3L HO OMC Cobra problems

Hmmm Looks like ill be adding a new shift module to my parts list, it apears thats a definate needed thing, we were hoping to get away from it, but from what it says not having that might cause a few problems.

 

[pra51]

Re: 4.3L HO OMC Cobra problems

biohazard <br />I am in the same boat,so to say,as you are.I have a 1991 4.3 HO Cobra with spitfire ignition that I am having major problems with.I am about to consider the same thing.Replace it with a HEI distributor.I have some info I have gathered I can send you when I am at home.I am at work now and don't have access to it.I would be very interested in your progress with this problem.<br />Phil

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: 4.3L HO OMC Cobra problems

biohazard...I've got a jpg file of the 4.3 HO engine wiring diagram with the Spitfire iginition, it's for a 1990 but I don't think it changed much, let me know your email address and I can send it to you, might be of some help?

 

[BiONetworks]

Re: 4.3L HO OMC Cobra problems

BOB!!! YES!! i cant find a damn wire diagram from bombardier at all. My techs here might be able to get a GM Ignition module to work from a 3.8L if you can get me that diagram and we can have a quick fast fix for this problem that us 1990 - 1992 spitfire ignition omc guys have. my email is biohazard@bionetworks.net thanx alot bro!

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: 4.3L HO OMC Cobra problems

OK...diagram on it's way, let me know if it's not clear enough, not the best scanner in the world.

 

[BiONetworks]

Re: 4.3L HO OMC Cobra problems

THX ALOT BOB, techs here at work are already on it, perfectly clear pic bro thanx alot. If we can get a fix for this by using the gm module Ill do a post on it and let bombardier know so they can give people a reasonable fix. Thx again bro been lookin for one of these for a long time!