Cobra motor. To buy or not to buy.

[cclemon]

I am looking at a 91 model boat with a 91 model 165hp I/O Cobra motor. Has anyone heard of this motor? Do you think I would be able to get parts for it? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Walter]

Re: Cobra motor. To buy or not to buy.

Don't know for sure...but I assume you're talking about an OMC four cylinder with the Cobra outdrive? Cobra is OMC's updated I/O version...similar in design to MerCruiser.<br /><br />Obtaining parts and service shouldn't be a problem....<br /><br />Walt

 

[jlemke]

Re: Cobra motor. To buy or not to buy.

165 HP sounds like the inline 6. Regardless, my dad has a similar configuration that has ran great for over the many years that he has had it. It should be a pretty good motor and drive for you. No big deal for parts.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Cobra motor. To buy or not to buy.

the cobras got a bad rap because of problems with their shift cables. once u get that straightened out {assuming there is a problem}, i'll put an omc drive up against merc any day. however, if it is the model with a cone clutch, stay away. they only manufactured a few & parts for these drives are almost impossible to find. i'm not sure which yr. these were made, but i believe they stopped making these in the early to mid 90's. good luck.

 

[wyattm]

Re: Cobra motor. To buy or not to buy.

The engine is a GM engine with a OMC (Cobra) outdrive attached. I had one on a (1988) 175 V6 and it ran great for the 5 yrs I owned it. I don't know how hard parts are to find for the drive. The water impeller was very easy to change. The down side was it takes longer (about 30 secs) for the impeller to suck water up to the engine due to it's location than it does on a mercury outdrive. Some say running an engine 30 secs without water flowing will harm it, I never had that problem. I would check the gear lube for water to insure there are no leaking seals. The other thing people had problems with was the interrupter switch on the engine. The switch would hang up and engine sounds like a cylinder has blown. That's my 2 cnets worth on Cobras. Happy boating.

 

[DP]

Re: Cobra motor. To buy or not to buy.

One thing to keep in mind is that OMC no longer exists. No parts are being produced for OMC outdrives and when the parts that are in the system are gone there will be no more. There are aftermarket sources but they don't have everything.<br />The OMC/Volvo drive is no problem.