I need some OMC Cobra help or advice

[klemmy]

Hello,I'm new to this forum and I need some help. I'm looking at buying a 95 deck boat with a 280hp, 5.8L OMC Cobra motor. I was told by a friend of mine to stay away from all OMC's because they stopped making them, parts are hard to find and not many people work on them. He said to find a boat with a Mercruiser because parts are everywhere and everyone knows how to work on them.

Is there any truth to this or should I not worry about it? Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Lou C]

Re: I need some OMC Cobra help or advice

A 1995 COULD be the joint venture drive that OMC made with Volvo, in which case the parts would be the same as the Volvo SX of the same model year and not a problem. You have to check and make sure of the year of the power package, not the boat itself. The pure OMC models were made from 86-93, the joint venture from 94-98. After that Volvo bought out OMC's interest in the joint venture. Here is a pic of my old OMC, the pure OMC is flat across the top, the joint venture has more of a hump across the top.

 

[klemmy]

Re: I need some OMC Cobra help or advice

A 1995 COULD be the joint venture drive that OMC made with Volvo, in which case the parts would be the same as the Volvo SX of the same model year and not a problem. You have to check and make sure of the year of the power package, not the boat itself. The pure OMC models were made from 86-93, the joint venture from 94-98. After that Volvo bought out OMC's interest in the joint venture. Here is a pic of my old OMC, the pure OMC is flat across the top, the joint venture has more of a hump across the top.

thanks for the help. Is there any easy to way to determine the year of the power package? I attached a picture of the outdrive, but I dont think you can tell from this dark picture if its flat or rounded across the top.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: I need some OMC Cobra help or advice

Howdy,

That engine/drive combo is indeed a "cone-clutch" model if it's a 94/95 model 5.8L EFI engine.

That's a good thing (at least a little better than the dog-clutch model)

The problem is the EFI components for those years are somewhat scarce.

Looking at Doug Russell parts catalog. for a 1995 5.8L EFI it shows that the EFI control module is N/A and in the price area it says "please call" A bunch of the EFI specific parts are either VINTGE, N/A , and "Please Call"......(you won't get them next day air!!)

That's an indication that not only they don't stock the parts but they may not even be
able to order it from anyone because no one makes it!

That doesn't mean they cannot find the part though.....I think they actually search for dealers out there that go out of business with new (old stock) parts and they put them up when they find them. Of course you're at their mercy when you need the part.

They get to set the price......you get to pay it if they're the only game in town

The OMC Cobras were great drives (after they fixed some rather minor problems early on).......Mine went almost 20 years with no problems. Mine NEVER had a shift cable or shift problem at all....Mine was an engine problem......you coldn't buy a coupler or exhaust manifolds.....2 BIG SHOW STOPPERS........(they're available now in limited numbers (double the price of everyone elses)

Now the only question is, do you want to buy a boat that seems inexpensive or looks good now but you'll have huge problems finding some parts for later?

And by some parts......I mean an EFI control module that is an absolute show stopper.


Take your friends advice.....find a boat with a Merc or Volvo Penta drive in it. Stay away from any stern drive with a Ford engine. (no one uses Ford anymore....not becuase they're bad.....they just don't use them anymore)


Cheers,


Rick

 

[klemmy]

Re: I need some OMC Cobra help or advice

thanks for the advice. Considering this guy is asking more than what the boat is worth because its in great shape, I think I'll pass on this one.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: I need some OMC Cobra help or advice

I've been researching what i want to buy when i get around to replacing my pos.

A volvo mpi 4.3. Would be my first choice.