Found a 4Winns with blown upper gear box with 4.3L OMC

[acex008]

I've found a 1988 Four Winns 200 for $800 that is in great condition but it was run on the water with low gear oil in the outdrive and now the gears are shot. I've found a few complete upper units online for under $500. Is the upper unit an easy drop in replacement or are the special tools needed to do a complete swap? What about a complete uppwer and lower unit assembly swap?

The 4.3L motor runs great and the rest of the boat is in excellent condition considering the year but would I be opening a can of worms if I just replaced the upper unit? Do you guy's think this project is worth it? I'm thinking even if I get into it for $2k all fixed up I'm still in a great hull with a good motor that's most likely worth twice what I'd have in it...

 

[Lou C]

Re: Found a 4Winns with blown upper gear box with 4.3L OMC

Splitting the drive on a Cobra is not hard IF the bolts come out and IF the driveshaft is not seized in there. If the upper grenaded, the lower could be full of wear particles too. A rebuilt drive could be as much as 3500, or you could convert it to a Merc using the SEI kit, which is cheaper than a rebuilt Cobra. Check the deck in that boat VERY carefully for rot. Mine had a lot. Keep in mind that some other parts are not available like ex manifolds but there is a conversion for that too. The good thing is that it is a great running stable hull with excellent fuel economy. I've had mine 10 years, learned a lot and fixed a lot, still has the OE engine and drive, we had to have some seals and a bearing carrier replaced but it shifts great and is very quiet. We use it in salt water and it has held up quite well. If I needed a new drive, I might consider the conversion but I had great luck with the OMC Cobra.......

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Found a 4Winns with blown upper gear box with 4.3L OMC

What about a complete uppwer and lower unit assembly swap?

You are looking at a boat that needs a complete drive replacement.

Either with a (completely) rebuilt Cobra or using the SEI kit and a new or used SEI (or Mercruiser Alpha)drive. (I don't know for sure if an Alpha can be used with the SEI conversion "Kit")

Someone (likely) ran that Cobra after changing the oil improperly.........happens all the time.......

The 4.3L motor runs great

You don't know this. You have only ran the engine at idle or on a trailer.

SO, if you can find a different, similar, good running boat for for $800 + $350[kit] + (approx) $1500[drive] + (~$250[parts, gaskets, oil, tune-up parts, etc etc etc] ) Total= $2900 ........you should probably buy it instead.

 

[Don S]

Re: Found a 4Winns with blown upper gear box with 4.3L OMC

I'm not sure you know how the engine runs great if the drive is tore up. Don't believe the seller alone. Without a water pump from the drive you may have started the engine and it ran, but you have no way of knowing if it was winterized properly. You could be walking into a cracked block with a blown drive. Now how much is that boat worth?

 

[rickryder]

Re: Found a 4Winns with blown upper gear box with 4.3L OMC

I have an 87 210 Horizion... Like Lou said above CHECK the deck and around the bilge and ski locker for rot. I bought the $800 boat and if you look at my resto thread below you will see what an $800 boat turns into.