OMC 3.0 Cobra opinions

[ted655]

I'm looking at buying a salvaged boat for the I/O setup. Will you share any good or bad info on the 3.0 Cobra? Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: OMC 3.0 Cobra opinions

If you want an IO setup, keep looking till you find either a Mercruiser or Volvo setup.<br />OMC went out of buisness around 1995. Parts are still available in many locations for most models of the Cobra. Those with special tools and knowledge for drive work are getting scarce.<br />Here is a link for tech info on the Cobra you may want to read before starting.<br />Also, what do you know about the ESA system???? <br /><br /> http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/index.html

 

[ted655]

Re: OMC 3.0 Cobra opinions

Thanks for the advice & link. What I know about ESA? Well.....???? What is ESA & I might fake an answer so's not to appear stupid.<br />OK, I found a Volvo 125AQ. Better? Thanks

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: OMC 3.0 Cobra opinions

I was very impressed with the Cobra back in 1986.OMC seemed to be going in the right direction.(of coarse any direction from the stringer drive was a good idea).<br /><br />Then came shifting problems,with several factory solutions,many wrong.But they did cover warrenty well.<br /><br />New gears finally corrected the shift problems,and again Cobras seemed feasible.<br /><br />However,OMC is gone,and Bombardier seems NOT to want to be in the sterndrive business,and isn't supporting replacement parts.Repairs are getting hard to impossible,so I cannot reccommend your purchase.<br /><br />Volvo is nice,Mercruiser somewhat easier to work on,and parts usually less costly.Especially when you talk about smaller boats.(18ft and under)If you want to talk twin prop drives,either brand,they are great units, but $$$$$$$.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Bondo]

Re: OMC 3.0 Cobra opinions

Hi Ted,.....<br /><br />If you were to let on,.. as to What you want to Do with the I/O set up,.... It would make giving advice a little easier,........<br /><br />I agree that using an OMC is Not the way to go,........<br /><br />If wanting to use a Volvo,..... Use 1 of the models that runs a Chevy based motor,.... Just for the Parts Availability.......<br /><br />I prefer Mercruiser,... Thou there are Good Arguements against them,... <br />There are So Many of them,+ the Interchangability is So Good,....<br />I Wouldn't run Anything But a Merc.......

 

[ted655]

Re: OMC 3.0 Cobra opinions

I have a 8 X24' open cockpit jon boat, custom built aluminium plate. It had a 140 hp. Ev OB. The boat sank. It's back & cleaned up, ready for repower. I was never fond of the OB, and rather than sink more money in getting it running, I want to convert to IO.<br />I simply can't spend much. 4 banger IOs are cheap, compared to used OBs, + I like working on something I am more familiar with.<br />I have a choice of several brands & didn't want to buy a turkey. As always, I'm getting good advice here. Can't afford new, so I want the best pick from the 80s, which is in my price range.

 

[ted655]

Re: OMC 3.0 Cobra opinions

Here is a email I just recieved. "3.8 litre GM V6<br />Good engine and intermediate from a stringer drive....Asking $350.00<br />Needs distributor....Everything else is there..."<br />What would bolt to this motor? As I can also buy outdrives seperatly, OR... do I even want to go this route?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: OMC 3.0 Cobra opinions

You would have to find a stringer drive, in good shape....Stringer is O.M.C. My advice is follow everyone's else's advice & forget about any O.M.C. powered boats....JK

 

[Lou C]

Re: OMC 3.0 Cobra opinions

I can't imagine that since the boat was set up for an OB, it wouldn't be better to save up until you could either get that one rebuilt or replace it. I have never heard of anyone converting an OB to a sterndrive, but have heard of numerous people doing the opposite. By the time you get done with cobbling together an IO package and getting it to work, you will likely be up to the price of repairing the OB or close to it. Cobras are fine as long as you can get parts, but who knows how long that will be for. I like the quiet smooth running IO but my next boat will be OB power for sure due to salt water use here.