OMC Cobra 3.0L - repair or replace

[jouniraiha]

Hi all,

I have OMC Cobra 3.0L year 1989. I noticed an oil leak in the engine and took the boat to the repair shop. The guy in the shop said that because it is fairly old machine I have couple of options:

1. fix the current engine and wait for the other places to break down.

2. purchase a refurbished replacement.

3. Try to find a bit more powerful replacement, because the 3.0L in Bayliner 2155 is quite undersized in performance.

My questions is, has anybody upgraded their 3.0L engines and if yes, what is drop-in compatible with the Cobra stern drive?

Best regards,
Jouni

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: OMC Cobra 3.0L - repair or replace

Howdy,


Replace the engine for an oil leak? I think I'd find another mechanic!!!

If you want to replace the whole mess for a Merc or VolvoPenta engine and drive....yes compatible. The transom cut out is the same. You may have to fabricate/move the engine mounts.


I swapped out a complete 460 King Cobra for a 454 Bravo III. other than transom and engine compartment clean up and a slight location change for the front engine mounts, it was a drop-in replacement.

If you pay someone to do it you better have a emotional attachment to the boat. Otherwise it's simply not worth it.


Cheers,



Rick

Hi all,

I have OMC Cobra 3.0L year 1989. I noticed an oil leak in the engine and took the boat to the repair shop. The guy in the shop said that because it is fairly old machine I have couple of options:

1. fix the current engine and wait for the other places to break down.

2. purchase a refurbished replacement.

3. Try to find a bit more powerful replacement, because the 3.0L in Bayliner 2155 is quite undersized in performance.

My questions is, has anybody upgraded their 3.0L engines and if yes, what is drop-in compatible with the Cobra stern drive?

Best regards,
Jouni

 

[chiefalen]

Re: OMC Cobra 3.0L - repair or replace

What Rick said is dead on. All of it find another wrencher to work on the boat.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: OMC Cobra 3.0L - repair or replace

How bad is the oil leak??......................is it a rusted oil pan or a bad valve cover gasket................how does the engine preform otherwise??......................a good general indication of engine life or health is a compression test.......................have one done and post the numbers...............any thing less than about 110 PSI..............and shes getting tired.

 

[tomwhysy]

Re: OMC Cobra 3.0L - repair or replace

I had a mechanic that told me to replace motor to fix ticking lifter before that kind of mechanics should be treated as dirty diapers (imediatly disposed
Ask before you hire anybody most of them got the rule - DISASEMBLE IT IMEDIATLY AND LET IT SIT dont exactly know the reason behind this strategy but camed across it so often that its worth mentioning
I say :
buy a repair manual
do it yourself
have fun doing it
make sure you smile while you do it
call your almost to be mechanic and tell him how much he sucks daily

 

[jouniraiha]

Re: OMC Cobra 3.0L - repair or replace

Hi,

thank you for the replies. The oil leak reason is rusted oil pan.

I will check the pressure.

I would like to get some more power to the engine, because it is quite difficult to get it up to speed when 4 persons are onboard.

BR:Jouni

 

[chiefalen]

Re: OMC Cobra 3.0L - repair or replace

If it were my boat, I would pull the motor put a new oil pan on.

Install the motor and sell it. Or sell it as it is and get the package you want.

Gonna be real expensive to repower to a bigger motor. It's not a drop in and go kinda deal.

I was wondering, you keep that boat in the water? If yes is the bottom clean?

You have alot of extra weight in the boat. I don't mean a overweight relative.

Gear and such. Or maybe soggy stringers? Water in the hull? Just asking.

Good luck!