king cobra gimbal really nessicary?

[omcdolt]

I have no clue what im looking at, lets start there. Im new to the I/O world and im trying to stuff a 7.5L ford, with a cobra (possibly king cobra) outdrive into a previously 5.0 fitted 22 foot deck boat. problem is if it is a king cobra outdrive, will the standard cobra gimbal mount on the hull work? if so will the 7.5L bolt up alright through that gimbal? If its not a king cobra (dont know yet) drive, then will it be able to hold up to the torque of a 360hp 7.5L? I plan to detune the motor drasticly to keep from ripping the *** of the boat clear off.
The motor and drive ive found (at an outrageous price) were supposedly mated to a boat before, but the gimbal went with the boat.
Any input would be helpful.
Jason.

 

[superpop]

Re: king cobra gimbal really nessicary?

Others will chime in but I am pretty sure you are SOL. I do not believe that the Cobras and K Cobras have many interchangeable parts, and if it is a King Cobra then parts are next to impossible to find. I hope you did not pay an outrageous price for a King Cobra drive and motor unless they are in brand new condition and you can sell them for parts. Is there are reason you are trying to stay with OMC, is the transom hole too big for a Merc or Volvo?

 

[omcdolt]

Re: king cobra gimbal really nessicary?

so if it is a standard cobra, what is the possibility of the 7.5L bolting up to it?
Im staying with omc because thats what comes with the 7.5L motor im buying. I guess the big ? is whether its a king or a standard. If its a standard then i guess that solves alot of problems, but i didnt think the 7.5 could mount to a standard cobra. If its a king, then its just been rebuilt with only 10 hrs on it and ill try to find another outdrive to fit the 7.5 but as i said, im clueless when it comes to this stuff and most shops around me look at me sideways when i tell em im gonna do the rigging myself (Im a motorcycle tech by trade, industrial maintenance mechanic, i can handle mechanical duties) and dont wanna talk to me. What can i mount to a 7.5L engine that wont cost me an arm and a leg? this is a cheap project boat, the motor and drive are only setting me back about 1k both remanned with 10 hrs on it and the hull is only hitting me for 500 for a damn near new deck boat.

 

[JustJason]

Re: king cobra gimbal really nessicary?

because thats what comes with the 7.5L motor im buying

If you haven't purchased the motor yet, then don't. Many many marine specific parts for the 460 Ford are not available, and have not been for quite some time.

Besides both the 454 GM's and the 460 Fords are dogs in a marine application. You can build yourself a nice 350/383 and still get the same power with weight savings.

 

[omcdolt]

Re: king cobra gimbal really nessicary?

ok i took the advice and canceled my bids, it was just piling up too fast, the more i learned the more it got scarier and scarier looking.
How do i go about obtaining a COMPLETE engine and stern drive package that wont break the bank? I mean im trying to find a USED motor, with a USED outdrive in good condition, including EVERYTHING needed to power a boat, i dont want to spend weeks obtaining small linkage and cables etc etc. I need a motor and a outdrive to fit a 22' seaswirl deck boat... thats it... why is this so overly complicated?
The boat had a ford engine and a cobra outdrive, thats why i looked for cobra stuff, to avoid having to change out the gimbal if its still on the hull.
any advice/offers anyone?

 

[JustJason]

Re: king cobra gimbal really nessicary?

Really the only thing you can do is buy a donor boat, something that is complete but rotted out.
Be forwarded though... going used is always a crapshoot, and many people get burned.

 

[Bondo]

Re: king cobra gimbal really nessicary?

why is this so overly complicated?

Ayuh,... It's Not, you just been pickin' the Wrong choices...
OMC has been Out of Business for Over 10 years...

 

[superpop]

Re: king cobra gimbal really nessicary?

Unless the deck boat is pretty much flawless with no rot and sitting on a nice trailer, there is a reason you only paid $500.00 for it. The most valuable part is the part that is missing. You need to find out specifically what transom plate you have on the boat as this effects the size of the hole you have in the transom. If it really is a Cobra or KCobra set up then you are a little ahead as these cut outs typically only require minor modification to be able to install a merc or Volvo set up. A nice reliable drive that is still serviceable with a minimum V-8 motor will cost you anywhere from 4-10K depending on what you get and how new it is. Your best option that was mentioned earlier is to find a donor boat, that way you have all the bits and pieces you need. Even those are going to be expensive though as most folks know what the motor and drive are worth.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: king cobra gimbal really nessicary?

ok i took the advice and canceled my bids, it was just piling up too fast, the more i learned the more it got scarier and scarier looking.
How do i go about obtaining a COMPLETE engine and stern drive package that wont break the bank? I mean im trying to find a USED motor, with a USED outdrive in good condition, including EVERYTHING needed to power a boat, i dont want to spend weeks obtaining small linkage and cables etc etc. I need a motor and a outdrive to fit a 22' seaswirl deck boat... thats it... why is this so overly complicated?
The boat had a ford engine and a cobra outdrive, thats why i looked for cobra stuff, to avoid having to change out the gimbal if its still on the hull.
any advice/offers anyone?

You made a pretty good decision not getting the 460!


That would probably have been the worst decision you could ever make!!!


It appears that you have a boat you want to rebuild/repair.


Remove ALL of the OMC junk inside and find yourself a good condition 454 and Bravo I/II/III drive.

That's what I did. removed OMC 460 King Kobra,


From a wind damaged boat (tree fell on it).......$5K for "steering-wheel-prop(s) package", I installed a Merc 454 Bravo ......It all fits....(same transom cutout)


I found my deal locally on Craigslist........ you can also check ebay, The Boat trader etc.... Find a boat with a cracked block and rebuild the engine etc.....


Regards,


Rick