Motor Questions New Owner of OMC 4.3

[TyeD17]

Good afternoon,
I or should I say we are the new owners of a 1995 Seaswirl open bow 18.5 boat. Few questions.

What motor do I have? I know I have a 4.3L Cobra. but is there a chance its a different OMC Cobra. Its says 4.3 on it. so I'm goin to go with that.

2nd. How much Oil? I was told 20w-50 for it. and with that do I have to pump that oil out correct? Not drain it.

3rd. Gear Lube? ....how much what kind.

4th....Do I have the OMC 4.3 motor that most complaints are the shifter cable on them? Or is this cobra newer than those and prob fixed the issue.

I'm new guys. She woke up and said I want this boat and she went and bought it. Its a very pretty boat. very clean. well taken care of. I'm now the mechanic,cleaner, driver, tower, and everything else. Its all good though. Any info would be great. Thanks. Much appreciated.

Tye

 

[jerryjerry05]

Welcome.
The 95/4.3 only came in one version(good).
The sterndrive is almost all Volvo(real good)
#4 The shifter shouldn't be a problem as the OMC junk is not on this one.
Get a factory manual.It will tell the specks on motor oil and gear oil.

Oil: 5qt. 10:30/40. Yes a pump is needed.There is a garden hose like connector on top of the motor.
It gets drawn out there.

 

[TyeD17]

Thank you Jerry! Much Appreciated. It was a quick compulse buy and I was worried about the gear shift. Really took a lot of my chest with your response. Thank You Again. Buy American.

Tye

 

[TyeD17]

The oil a few others recommened in a 20w-50, however I have seen a few that say 10w-30/40, is there a huge difference? I live in PA, I know the weight is a difference and its an older motor but does it run that hot to break down? does anyone know general operating temps I should let it get to before running it hard? 160ish?

 

[TyeD17]

Also,

my motor is a 4.3L sterndrive correct? what is the difference of this and an inboard motor? aren't they the same ?

 

[southkogs]

You're drive system is called a stern drive or an inboard / outdrive (IO). An outboard is the obvious motor hanging off the transom all outside the hull. A true inboard is an engine mounted inside the boat (generally in the middle, but that's changing a little) with just a shaft running out to the propeller.

I would identify your boat with an 95 OMC 4.3l Cobra. You kinda' need most of that detail to help with answers.

A guess at your operating temperature is 160, but you'll want to consult a manual for that (buy a shop manual).

Oil is mostly a preference ... the important thing is to change it and pay attention to it I've got an older engine and tend to run heavier oil up to 20W 50. Though, I do have 10W 40 in there right now.

 

[bruceb58]

Don't use 10-40 or 10-30 non-synthetic. Volvo specifically says in their manuals not to use it.

 

[TyeD17]

I bought 20W-50 SAE Supertech Oil for it. That was my plan to change it this weekend.

 

[Alaboat]

Curious about this also, I'm looking at a 1995 Chris Craft with OMCobra 4.3 GL. any idea on whether this is OMC or Volvo?

 

[bruceb58]

What is your model number? That will tell you for sure. If your raw water pump is on the motor rather on the back of the drive, that also shows that its a Volvo.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Alaboat, please do not hijack threads.

 

[Alaboat]

Alaboat, please do not hijack threads.

Sorry, wasn't really hijacking. Only asking a question about the same motor on another boat. I am new to the I/O scene so was trying to gain some knowledge from the discussion and forgot to raise my hand.

 

[bruceb58]

Sorry, wasn't really hijacking. Only asking a question about the same motor on another boat. I am new to the I/O scene so was trying to gain some knowledge from the discussion and forgot to raise my hand.

Best to start a new thread with your questions. That way there aren't 2 conversations going on in the same thread and you will actually get more attention to your question if you start a new one.