Chris Craft w/ 4.3 OMC outdrive any good

[salmonee]

A Chris Craft w/ 4.3 Cobra OMC outdrive just came on the market. What's the feeling on the boat and motor? Not sure what year the boat is, but a pic is attached.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Chris Craft w/ 4.3 OMC outdrive any good

personally. i would not put my money on it. the OMC, was a good drive, but OMC went bankrupt in 2000 or so. parts are no longer being made.

 

[superpop]

Re: Chris Craft w/ 4.3 OMC outdrive any good

Run, don't walk away from this boat. OMC is no longer in business and parts and people who know how to work on them are scarce.

 

[salmonee]

Re: Chris Craft w/ 4.3 OMC outdrive any good

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Chris Craft w/ 4.3 OMC outdrive any good

I have a omc don't buy it no matter how cheap.

 

[H8tank]

Re: Chris Craft w/ 4.3 OMC outdrive any good

Threads like these is why the market is so bad for OMC lol.

The 'no parts' myth rears it's head again.

Tell me exactly, which parts can't a person get?

 

[superpop]

Re: Chris Craft w/ 4.3 OMC outdrive any good

I can still buy beta max tapes and a player on E bay but that does not mean I would want to. OMC went out of business a long time ago. Why would this guy want his first boat to be equipped with a drive system that is no longer formally supported. That is all I am saying.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Chris Craft w/ 4.3 OMC outdrive any good

in a city of 3/4 million, there is only one person that will touch an OMC drive, and he is retired.

straight from BRP site: this was a 1998 model

DRIVE GEAR. Service with Next Higher Assembly (Reference #15, #1) 2 Legend Not Available


PINION GEAR. Service with Next Higher Assembly (Reference #15, #1) 1 Legend Not Available

 

[H8tank]

Re: Chris Craft w/ 4.3 OMC outdrive any good

I lived in Jax for 9 years, and my OMC got serviced by crooks, and some good guys. There was a shop over on the west side that did me good.

I think this constant OMC bashing is not helpful for current or possible future owners. Yes, if given the choice, choose Merc or Volv.

But there are some older gems, and anything at the right price is a good deal.

Betamax? Can you watch Jurassic Park II on beta?

Can you pull 2 kids on a tube with an OMC?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Chris Craft w/ 4.3 OMC outdrive any good

Yep Jeff, did you good. he is now retired. sold his shop. as with any boat, the maintenance is key. sure there are some maintained OMCs out there. but the majority are not. just like good and bad 80's Bayliners, good owners.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Chris Craft w/ 4.3 OMC outdrive any good

I think this constant OMC bashing is not helpful for current or possible future owners. Yes, if given the choice, choose Merc or Volv.

Ayuh,...

We're all here to Promote the Boating Lifestyle,....

If a Potential Boater comes asking whether to buy a boat powered by OMC, a Dead company, with No OEM parts or service available...

It would be Irresponsible to say Go fot it,...
As it'll lead to Frustrated Former Boaters,...
Instead of New fellow Boaters....

It's a matter of Common Sense,....
And,.. Nothing to do with Bashing anything...

 

[td8]

Re: Chris Craft w/ 4.3 OMC outdrive any good

You guys that keep bashing OMC keep saying there are know parts or nobody to service them.But I just got done restoring a 68 Larson 186 All American with a 120 OMC. I rebuild the upper gears case new bearings,gears,and seals and re sealed the lower unit and I have not had any problems finding parts.There are still lots of aftermarkets parts out there for these drives.As for finding someone to service one of these drives.I've been a auto mechanic for 20 years I also have worked on boat engines and drives to.And I am telling all of you that any good mechanic can work on a OMC drive.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Chris Craft w/ 4.3 OMC outdrive any good

Threads like these is why the market is so bad for OMC lol.
The 'no parts' myth rears it's head again.
Tell me exactly, which parts can't a person get?

The end caps (packings) for the trim cylinders.
I've had no problems otherwise. Lower cable 3-4 years ago was hanging on my local marine store's wall, bellows kit last season - in stock...props a-plenty. Impellers everyone has.I also came across an SX with next to no hours on it last season sitting in a friends shed so there is a replacement handy should the need arise.
The OD is definitely going to outlast the motor - both were new in 1989.

I thought I was the only one here that didn't ahve a problem with Cobras.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Chris Craft w/ 4.3 OMC outdrive any good

It's just like Bono said, you wouldn't want to give bad advise to a new boater.
OMC without factory support and no parts being made anymore thats how it is, wouldn't you want someone to tell you?
On the other hand, I bought an OMC Cobra boat on impulse, had Ford 351W had cobra's all over it LOL! I had to have it. I'm still kicking myself over it, but in the end the drive has been very good, and lucky for me I do all my own mechanical work, first thing I did was joined this forum and bought a manual, well no the first thing was I bought the obsolete drive, had I first joined the forum maybe I would have been rescued.

I like the simplicity of my Cobra drive, (reminds me of a baby Ford 9") sure there's a few special tools you'll need but anything is like that, and parts arent being made anymore for most of the other stuff I own either but there out there, and I'll keep fixing my oldies but goodies stuff.

 

[winfan]

Re: Chris Craft w/ 4.3 OMC outdrive any good

Brought my boat last year. Just got finished with a full service last week. My mechanic was happily impressed with my 20 year old. Not saying that there was not anything that needed attention. But nothing really bad either. He told me that Cobras' were a good drive, got a bad rep because boaters thought that things like annual service was not needed and also since they are not in business so the myth of no parts being available. He told me that as long as you keep up on the maintenance that Cobras' are bullet proof and will last. I am not jumping on a band wagon because I am still new with the whole boating thing but this boat was the right boat at the right time for me. Just for info I have a buddy that has a 4.3L Cobra and one that has a 5.7L Merc. The Merc is the one that seems to have all the problems. Does this mean that I should never go to a Merc because my buddy has problems all the time? Now that is a silly question huh? Just giving my worthless 2 cents.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Chris Craft w/ 4.3 OMC outdrive any good

Something Don said a while back sticks with me:

There are two types of OMC Cobra guys
The ones that now run Mercs and Pent's..and
The ones that are praying their cobras don't break.

Don, I think it was you that said something like that?

 

[kg5388]

Re: Chris Craft w/ 4.3 OMC outdrive any good

I'm afraid if ya can't find parts I may be the problem bought my 1988 fourwinns in 2003 and with hearing "you the can't get parts" I bought a bunch but I have never had to use any but the bellows and impeller kits over the years.

I haven't had a problem but I know how to keep the shift cable adjusted and take care of all the maint on my boat but I KNOW my boat and the CONDITION of my outdrive if you tell someone that any drive is good/great and they buy one that has been mistreated they will be upset when the drive goes bad BUT will be madder when they find out there is no one to fix it for them.

It still cost a lot to replace a Volvo outdrive if you buy one that has been mistreated so I think it would be wise to tell every prospective buyer to beware of any outdrive thats not new

Had the rams rebuilt on my friends cobra at the local carquest that does hydraulic rams and hoses for tractors

 

[H8tank]

Re: Chris Craft w/ 4.3 OMC outdrive any good

but in the end the drive has been very good, .... had I first joined the forum maybe I would have been rescued.

You would have been rescued from buying a Drive that has been very good and given you no problems?

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Chris Craft w/ 4.3 OMC outdrive any good

You would have been rescued from buying a Drive that has been very good and given you no problems?

I was try ing to be sarcastic.


I'm hopeing all potential buyers of a Cobra Drive just keep on running cause I just grabbed up another one (pristine) traded a used and abused lawn mower for it, got everything, controls and all, 5.7 coupler. I'm in for the long haul now.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Chris Craft w/ 4.3 OMC outdrive any good

I'm with you.
I just turned down one - 4 lunger version.

Chris Craft is a good boat.
Personally, the Cobra OD wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.
I would leverage it to my advantage for all it's worth.
The worst thing that could happen is you have to replace it.
Guess what, that can happen to MC or Volvo too.