Buying omc king cobra

[Zook4184]

I am looking at a 1992 Chris craft with a 454 omc king cobra set Up I am not sure which drive is on it but I’ve read about all the pro and cons of these drives I really like the boat but having a hard time deciding because of this drive knowing I’ll never get a honest answer as to what’s wrong with the boat I guess I’m asking you guys what to actually look for to determine if drive is good I gone as far as looking parts up I able to find general maintenance stuff gimble bellows shift cables normal wear and tear stuff any advice would be appreciated thanks

 

[Lou C]

Don’t do it unless you plan to repower it with a Merc or Volvo. Parts for that drive are extremely scarce. That is the OMC cone clutch drive that was made from about 1990-1993 or so used mostly behind GM big blocks.
I’ve owned a regular Cobra about 20 years. For those you can find most parts.
The regular dog clutch Cobras can be kept going as long as you can get parts and find someone to work on them. They can also be converted to the Volvo SX with a few conversion parts or a Merc Alpha with an SEI kit. Not so with the cone clutch drive though. Only thing you can do is a complete refit with either Merc (Bravo) or Volvo SX. Either can be done with used parts but even so that boat has to very cheap to be worth it.

 

[Zook4184]

Don’t do it unless you plan to repower it with a Merc or Volvo. Parts for that drive are extremely scarce. That is the OMC cone clutch drive that was made from about 1990-1993 or so used mostly behind GM big blocks.
I’ve owned a regular Cobra about 20 years. For those you can find most parts.
The regular dog clutch Cobras can be kept going as long as you can get parts and find someone to work on them. They can also be converted to the Volvo SX with a few conversion parts or a Merc Alpha with an SEI kit. Not so with the cone clutch drive though. Only thing you can do is a complete refit with either Merc (Bravo) or Volvo SX. Either can be done with used parts but even so that boat has to very cheap to be worth it.

Ok thank you I appreciate your advice so it’s the dome shape at top of drive which is the cone clutch drive which I understand is the better drive but can’t get parts for I see thank you

 

[racerone]

If you can do your own work on these they are not that bad.-------But if you have to run / find a shop to help you for every squeak and rattle just run away.

 

[Zook4184]

If you can do your own work on these they are not that bad.-------But if you have to run / find a shop to help you for every squeak and rattle just run away.

Thank you for reply yes I can do my own repairs been boating for over 30 years but it’s always been like the omc is cursed the thing is the configuration of the boat and price has me wanting to buy it’s the thought of not getting parts has me worried

 

[racerone]

There are several sites where you can look up parts for these.---Call a local boat shop / dealer and see what they say.---Many consumable parts are available I believe.-------Example -----Looks like cylinder heads ( bare ?) for these 1992 models are available $105 CA .-----Many parts are not available but most of those you will never need.------A donor boat with a similar drive would keep you going for years.

 

[Zook4184]

There are several sites where you can look up parts for these.---Call a local boat shop / dealer and see what they say.---Many consumable parts are available I believe.-------Example -----Looks like cylinder heads ( bare ?) for these 1992 models are available $105 CA .-----Many parts are not available but most of those you will never need.------A donor boat with a similar drive would keep you going for years.

Thank you I have been looking up parts places just to see what’s available there are parts available I guess it’s just depending what you need and how far worn out the drive is or what goes wrong any advice as far as what to look for on these drive other then the usual I wood appreciate that thanks

 

[Lou C]

look up common replacement parts like:
raw water impellers
drive drain plug gaskets
drive gaskets & orings
engine coupler
not only are the drive parts hard to find but some of the EFI and electronic ignition parts are very scarce. My old engine has a points distributor and a Rochester Quadrajet/mechanical fuel pump and I had no problem getting parts for those.
PS I bought a complete transom mount and outdrive, exhaust Y pipe, trim hoses, power steering actuator, pump and spare parts for the PS and trim system, for less than $2000. Got enough to keep me going for years.
If I had a boat like that I'd use it as long as I could but then decide to look to repower the drive system with either Merc or Volvo whichever was more available used.

 

[Lou C]

My garage looks like an old OMC dealership lol.

 

[Zook4184]

look up common replacement parts like:
raw water impellers
drive drain plug gaskets
drive gaskets & orings
engine coupler
not only are the drive parts hard to find but some of the EFI and electronic ignition parts are very scarce. My old engine has a points distributor and a Rochester Quadrajet/mechanical fuel pump and I had no problem getting parts for those.
PS I bought a complete transom mount and outdrive, exhaust Y pipe, trim hoses, power steering actuator, pump and spare parts for the PS and trim system, for less than $2000. Got enough to keep me going for years.
If I had a boat like that I'd use it as long as I could but then decide to look to repower the drive system with either Merc or Volvo whichever was more available used.

Thank you I appreciate the advice I was thinking that to if I did buy the to start looking for replacement parts immediately