Questions about my 351 (no manual with my boat)

[mrbell83]

Hello,

I have a 1992 Four Winns Liberator 201 with a 351 king cobra in it. Unfortunately, I have no owners manual with this boat, so I have a few questions.

First, what oil should I use? I would assume straight weight 30 or 40 would be fine, but just to make sure, I am asking. Also, I know mercruiser has 25w-40, would this be alright as well? I know that some older motors like oils with more (or any) zinc in them so I was going to run 40wt valvoline VR1 racing oil. (if thats ok) What is the oil filter number for this motor?

Also, what are the common things to do / watch on this engine?

Thanks,
Chris

P.S. I am in Michigan so the boat will be ran in weather form lets say 50 - 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Questions about my 351 (no manual with my boat)

First thing you need is a factory OEM service manual for that Cobra.
The boats owners manual would not tell you anything in regards to the engine and drive.
Most shops will not touch a Cobra anymore.Most techs don't know how to work on them unless you find an older tech thats been doing it for years.
Lets see if we can find the service manual...

 

[ringmaster]

Re: Questions about my 351 (no manual with my boat)

im in michigan and use 10w30 quaker state in mine and mine is a 77 351. but i also change mine twice a year. its a ford just do the normal maintenence when your suppose to you will be fine.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Questions about my 351 (no manual with my boat)

Here you go,The real deal.
Do not buy the Seloc or Clymers manuals...
I know this seller and have bought many things from him...good guy!
Tell him Gary in NC sent you.
Best money you will ever spend on that boat if you plan on keeping it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992...62QQcategoryZ26453QQihZ010QQitemZ200234047039

 

[mrbell83]

Re: Questions about my 351 (no manual with my boat)

Thanks for the info!!! I guess I will invest in the book...

 

[mrbell83]

Re: Questions about my 351 (no manual with my boat)

Also, any truth to the rumor that since the OMC and now current volvo drives look similar, they are interchangeable? Or if nothing else, the volvos are somewhat easy to adapt to the older OMC?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Questions about my 351 (no manual with my boat)

2 different dogs. No interchnge between them.

The cobra and volvo sx were the same.

I think.

Then again read my signature. C.r.s.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Questions about my 351 (no manual with my boat)

Certain years of Cobra drives in the end were like the Volvo.Not sure what years though...
I don't think they were interchangable..
Don S may know.He is the Volvo expert.

 

[mrbell83]

Re: Questions about my 351 (no manual with my boat)

Well, buried in the boat I found a OMC brochure from 1992!!! Turns out I have the "351 King Cobra". Apparently this is better than the standard 5.8 liter and has a holley four barrel carburetor with 285 crankshaft horsepower (240 prop shaft). If I remember correctly, this motor only has 8.3:1 compression ratio, so I would assume that regular unleaded gasoline is fine, right? Also, the previous owner said that he never has to pump the gas to start it, he would just move the throttle lever forward in the neutral position and leave it there, am I missing something? I thought all carb engines required that you "pump" gasoline into them upon cold starting the motor by moving the throttle lever back and forth, at least my fathers Searay we had when I was a kid did...

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Questions about my 351 (no manual with my boat)

That shows the choke is working like it should,some boats do not need pumping the throttle.
About time to get it all winterized..

 

[mrbell83]

Re: Questions about my 351 (no manual with my boat)

That shows the choke is working like it should,some boats do not need pumping the throttle.
About time to get it all winterized..

This weekend we are going to take the maiden voyage and then she is getting winterized. I haven't been able to take if for a ride yet and its supposed to be in the 60's this weekend...

P.S. I purchased that service manual on ebay for it as well...

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Questions about my 351 (no manual with my boat)

Thats a ford engine good motor.

It runs good, shifts good?

Go for it keep us posted.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Questions about my 351 (no manual with my boat)

Also, any truth to the rumor that since the OMC and now current volvo drives look similar, they are interchangeable? Or if nothing else, the volvos are somewhat easy to adapt to the older OMC?

The Volvo SX is a direct replacement although rare.
I use straight 30W in my engine...20 years old...hundreds of hours a year...never been apart...still has proper oil pressure and not burning any.
You may have to dig a little for an OMC manual.
If you have any more questions, I'll be glad to look it up for you (I have one).

 

[mrbell83]

Re: Questions about my 351 (no manual with my boat)

The Volvo SX is a direct replacement although rare.
I use straight 30W in my engine...20 years old...hundreds of hours a year...never been apart...still has proper oil pressure and not burning any.
You may have to dig a little for an OMC manual.
If you have any more questions, I'll be glad to look it up for you (I have one).

I purchased a factory OMC manual off of ebay so i am good to go!