1988 210 invader cuddy Question

[taint]

Hi Im new to the forum, I live in houston Tx. this is my first boat and it is a project boat. I bought the boat from my uncle for 500$, it was just sitting out with no cover for about 5 years. So it needs knew interor and probably engine work. He said it was running when he parked it but I still want to get the engine looked at before I spend any more money on it. I have a couple of questons. Frist is does anybody know any good marine machics and upolistry shops in the houston Tx. area?d Secound question is, is there a manual for this boat or really a manual for the engine? It is a OMC 4.3 is all I know form the decals on the engine. If you have any comments about things I should know or look for please post, Im new.

Thanks

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: 1988 210 invader cuddy Question

The book:
http://www.iboats.com/mall/?category_id=251038&cart_id=637554542&session_id=217525244&view_id=272588
Some good info albeit dated about your Invader's drive system:
http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/

 

[tommays]

Re: 1988 210 invader cuddy Question

I would check all the wood for ROT and then read about OMC being out of business then run away as fast as a could

Not to sound negitive BUT generaly a neglected boat is very costly to get running again compared to finding one that does not need a restore before you turn the key

Tommays

 

[KaGee]

Re: 1988 210 invader cuddy Question

Welcome to Iboats!

Search EBay for your manual. They are sold by he motor manufacturer, not the boat's. ('88 OMC 4.3L Cobra in your case)

just sitting out with no cover for about 5 years

First thing I would do is pull all of the spark plugs, squirt some marvel mystery oil down the cylinders, then try to turn the engine over by hand by putting a rachet and socket on the crank shaft bolt and turn clockwise. If the enginge turns... good. Proceed from there. The engine is a marinized Chevy small block. Be aware that OMC went bankrupt several years ago. There are parts available for the drive, but sometimes you have to dig for them.

Bottom line however, you have a lot of work ahead. So much so, I doubt you'll get any mechanic to work on it. Good COBRA mechanics were hard to find when OMC was in business.

The good news is, if you decide to bail on your project, your drive will retrieve the $500 or more off EBay. 8)

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: 1988 210 invader cuddy Question

That's good advice about the hull. Floor, stringer and transom wood can rot, but it may be fine too- take an ice pick and start jamming it into the wood to see if it's soft.
I'm sure there's > $500 worth of parts...
A good used Cobra outdrive fetches that on eBay.
If it's on a trailer you made out really well.

 

[taint]

Re: 1988 210 invader cuddy Question

Thanks everybody for the input so far. The hull looks to be in great shape, the transom is covered in fiberglass and looks solid. I went out in the boat before he parked it 5 years ago, he told me some little things that might need to be fixed like new exhaust manafolds. If the engine is a marinized Chevy small block why would it have to be a COBRA mechanic, a chevy is a chevy right or am I missing somthing?:% And ya it has a nice galv. trailer no rust, just needs new tires, the lights even worked!

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1988 210 invader cuddy Question

Not to Rain on Your Parade,............ Too Badly anyways,.........

Those "new exhaust manafolds" are going to be enough to Triple your present Investment,..........
If you can Find Them.........

And,..... It Appears that you'll be Hiring Out All of the Labor,.............
The Labor Bill Alone will multiply the Total Tab by Atleast 10..........
I always Thought that "and it is a project boat." meant that the New Owner would be Personally providing Atleast 99% of the Labor...........

The Brightest Point in your Project that I can see is,.....
You could $ell the Trailer to cover the Co$t$ Already $pent..........

Good Luck................

 

[aerwin]

Re: 1988 210 invader cuddy Question

g.m. made the engine, thats the easy part to work on, the outdrive is by O.M.C. and the drive name is "cobra" it was made from 86 to 95 ish. at least you have a cobra and it can be converted to merc or volvo-penta easily. unlike the model previus to the cobra, but parts are getting hard to find. you can use the same block if you needed to change. just cause the floor feels solid it could be rotten underneath. you could be in for alot of work

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: 1988 210 invader cuddy Question

The gas in the tank has probably gone bad. so, you'll want to pump out all of the gas. Then do a tune up, probably a carb rebuild.. and then take it from there.

 

[taint]

Re: 1988 210 invader cuddy Question

Its been awhile but im back on the project. The boats floor is good and solid. whats the difference between merc and volvo-penta, which is better and how and why can it be converted from the cobra I have. Also if I wanted to change to somthing new what would I go with engine and outdrive? How big can I go with this boat also as far as power. what kind of price am i looking at?

thanks ash

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1988 210 invader cuddy Question

The most econmical way to Repower is to buy a Donor Boat with the Driveline you Want,......
Then Junk it out,+ Install the Driveline into Your hull.......
You're probably looking at $3500.00 to over $5000.00.........

I'd think that a 21' boat Should be able to handle a 350 SBC,... No Problem.....

 

[nick fry]

Re: 1988 210 invader cuddy Question

i have a invader 215 with a 5ltr 305 and its solid but needed all the soft stuff replacing its going to cost money and a shed load of time but it will be worth it you could go buy a new boat for ?30000 but what satisfaction knowing you did it so what if it need work and loads of money just dont make notes of how much its costing !!! go for it and enjoy yourself and a good tip is get the mrs involved it makes things much easier belive me !!!
nick