are all omc outdrives the same?

[russ67chevelle]

I have what appears to be a"king Cobra" stern drive with a bad upper unit. (1987 omc)The gears ate themselves up. In the market to buy either An upper unit or parts or whatever. Interior is shot motor is good, so I'd like to fix. I'm a machinist and I have a manual, so Icould prob rebuild if I get parts. Was told parts would be like a grand dunno, I haven't looked yet. Motor is a warmed over chevy 350. Was wondering if all ourselves are the same, meaning if a stern drive off a 5.7,4.3 or a 3.0 litter all the same or not. ..Thoughts plz?

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: are all omc outdrives the same?

The drives are all the same they will all swap.
But the gear ratio is different in all the drives.
The lowers on the v-6 and v-8 are the same
The 3.0 is too small(lower)The 4.3 upper will work
The gear ratio is different for the different drives.
The 5.0 and the 5.7 will work.The 4.3 will fit just a different ratio,
You CAN"T fix it yourself without special tools.

 

[bigdirty]

Re: are all omc outdrives the same?

Was my understanding they only put the 'king cobra' behind the bb 460 ford in 87-89.. thought sb and V6/4cy were the smaller 'cobra' drives.. ANYway, if it IS a king, ya, you're in the same boat as me.. ahem.. most internal parts are NLA.. casings, gear sets, shafts, bearings, its almost all discontinued.. the main reason I'm planing to swap mine for a B3 or volvo drive in the very near future..

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: are all omc outdrives the same?

87 Bayliner = regular "dog clutch" Cobra drive.

People like to add "King" when they're selling a boat because they think it sounds better.

The SEI conversion to a Merc Alpha style drive is fairly popular for the Cobras.

 

[bigdirty]

Re: are all omc outdrives the same?

87 Bayliner = regular "dog clutch" Cobra drive.

People like to add "King" when they're selling a boat because they think it sounds better.....

ya, nuts to that, if I ever see "king" in front of the word cobra I will stay away in the future

The difference being, (in my world now), with an 'actual' 87 'king cobra' drive, I can not simply swap an alpha drive in place of it :facepalm: Personally i think it would be a little light for the job anyway, a 2850 contessa might a little too much boat to push.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: are all omc outdrives the same?

Must've had a big block originally or something to have a cone clutch drive - that's not original to the 5.7 that I can see. It really needs a big engine if it's ever going to be more than a floating cottage that puts around at displacement speed (there's a legit place for that in ON)
This one really zips along with twin 5.0's
Bayliner 2850 Contessa,Twin Engines, 1987 Under way Video by South Mountain Yachts (949) 842-2344 - YouTube

 

[bigdirty]

Re: are all omc outdrives the same?

Oh ya, i have the 460, but come to think of it.. i've seen a boat localy with a small block with a "king cobra" air cleaner and other stickers (looks factory) but it looked like a 'normal' cobra drive to me.. nowhere near as large as the king case/drive.

 

[bigdirty]

Re: are all omc outdrives the same?

And cool vid, wow, does that thing ever go with the twins! lol too rich for me, i'll putter around at 25 mph with the single 460.. thats gona be thirsty enough..

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: are all omc outdrives the same?

We own a 1988 Stratos with an original 350 Chevy and a king Cobra outdrive. All original King cobra badging everywhere. So I'm thinking that some small blocks were backed by the King Cobra drives. I also have the original OMC manual that offers specs and repair info for the 350 and 460 versions of the King Cobra. Just for info.

 

[duped]

Re: are all omc outdrives the same?

King Cobra drives were matched with the 5.7 270 horse motor from 1988-1989. That engine would be equivalent to the 350 mag merc.

To the OP: I suppose it's possible that if you have a late 1987 boat, it could be a KC, but for your sake, I hope not. If you elect to stick with the OMC set up, you'll be paying through the teeth for a used drive, if you can find one. If its a regular Cobra, you're much better off. Post some photos or more info to confirm.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: are all omc outdrives the same?

The KING COBRA label was stuck everywhere.
The KING COBRA was just a label on most motors and meant nothing.
The 87 was the regular drive and in 90 they started with the cone clutch drive in the bigger motors.
They said the regular drive wasn't holding up to the big blocks.
Bayliner/Volvo used 350 Chevy's for a long time.
You had to special order anything bigger.
They weren't fast but you got there.