1989 OMC Cobra 5.8

[KaGe]

Hi all. Been boating for as long as I can remember but this is my first post to this site. I have (fairly) recently begun doing all my repairs and maintenence on my outboards. That's actually been a lot of fun. Now I'm looking at a bigger boat with an I/O OMC Cobra 5.8. That's a lot more motor than I'm used to and I admit the I/o is a little intimidating to me. Questions: Has this been a reliable power system? Can necessary parts be located for this model since there is no more OMC? I haven't looked at it yet in person but are there some things I should be hyper diligent about checking? Anything else I might need to know for a newbie I/o owner...I mean if I buy. I hope this one is my diamond in the rough.

 

[bruceb58]

I personally wouldn't buy a used boat with an OMC drive or a Ford Engine.

 

[KaGe]

Okey doke. Is that just a personal issue or rooted in mechanics? I am a huge Evinrude fan just because it pushes my duck boat wherever I have ever wanted to go and has never given me any major issues. Thats completely rooted in personal preference though.

 

[Maclin]

OMC is out of business, although some parts are still ok to find for the Cobra. The Ford is a problem because most parts are NLA. It is not so much a Ford vs. GM or a power thing, just that Ford bailed out by the mid-90's so parts are the problem.

 

[KaGe]

Aha. That's pretty much what I've been hearing all over. Are any of the newer long block power plants compatible with that outdrive?

 

[bruceb58]

There are 2 types of OMC Cobra drives, a dog clutch and a cone clutch version which was called a King Cobra. To make things more confusing, there were a few dog clutch versions call King Cobra. You absolutely have to stay away from the cone clutch king Cobras as parts are ridiculous to find for them.

454 Chevys were only mated to cone clutch King Cobras. 460 Fords were mated to both I believe.

If I were to buy a boat with a dog clutch Cobra, which I wouldn't, I would get one with a 5.7, 5.0, 4.3 or 3.0.

There are many boats put there with Volvo and Merc drives. I would stick to those.

If the reason you asked about other engines was because of some day switching out the 5.8, you would have to get a whole new bell housing which would be a major PITA.

By the way, I used to own a Cobra.

 

[KaGe]

That's awesome info. Thanks ton!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Okey doke. Is that just a personal issue or rooted in mechanics? I am a huge Evinrude fan just because it pushes my duck boat wherever I have ever wanted to go and has never given me any major issues. Thats completely rooted in personal preference though.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a new Evinrude ETEC engine.....they are awesome!

I wouldn't buy any I/O with an OMC I/O. They were fine 25 years ago because there was a company, support and parts etc.

Now there isn't. OMC went out of business in 1998 or so. The "after-market" picked up most of the parts but there's some parts that you'll only find new "old-stock" or you have to "can" them (cannibalize) ............ The 5.8L engine with an OMC drive is a "double whammy" because of the Ford " problem.

I too had a 1987 OMG King Kobra (Ford) 460 in my current boat!

Luckily, I was able to remove it all and replace it with a 1997 Mercruiser 454/Bravo package........and I was able to sell all the OMC "stuff".

If I were looking for another boat (and I am!), I wouldn't consider ANY boat with OMC anywhere in the description!

Good luck.


Rick