question is a 1988 4,3 cobra a reliable motor??

[tphawk09]

looking at a 1988 sunbird 21 ft cuddy that is in good shape for the yr it has a 4.3 cobra ,he says just put 1500 in to tuneing up new waterpump changed all oils with reciepts i can pick it up for 2500 with water test and trailor any info would be great thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: question is a 1988 4,3 cobra a reliable motor??

this is an Inboard/Outboard question. Mod notified to move for you.

 

[tphawk09]

Re: question is a 1988 4,3 cobra a reliable motor??

sorry thanks

 

[gbeltran]

Re: question is a 1988 4,3 cobra a reliable motor??

I own a 90 Four Winns with a 4.3 cobra. It has been a good little boat, but I would not buy another OMC, nor a 4.3 for that matter. It's a good engine, and in reality parts are cheap enough, but I think a 305 or a 350 powered something with a Mercruiser or later model Volvo drive would be a much better choice. OMC has been gone for a quite a while now, and while parts are available, they are more often than not a mail order item. My 4.3 ran great up until a rag got caught on the outdrive, which overheated it and split a cylinder. If I had a 305 or 350 in the boat I would have been able to have it going in less than a week, those engines are far more common and someone is more likely to have one or parts for one than anything else. That's all my opinion of course.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: question is a 1988 4,3 cobra a reliable motor??

The 4.3 is a great engine, the OMC drive is a POS

 

[tphawk09]

Re: question is a 1988 4,3 cobra a reliable motor??

okay so 2500 is a deal or not???

 

[Sparkinator]

Re: question is a 1988 4,3 cobra a reliable motor??

NOT. Keep looking. It's a buyers market. Don't settle for something you will regret in the near future.

That OMC at 2500 may seem like a deal, but it ain't.

Google OMC shift cable adjustment.

 

[Aloysius]

Re: question is a 1988 4,3 cobra a reliable motor??

A 4.3 is simply a 350 Chevy with 2 cylinders cut off.

 

[whitney]

Re: question is a 1988 4,3 cobra a reliable motor??

If you're looking for a reliable $2500 cuddy with a smaller motor, I think it sounds like a good find. Most stuff I see in that price range is junk.

I bought a 1992 18' Sunbird with the same motor and outdrive. Motor is no problem to find parts for, plenty of good online parts sources. I think the 4.3 is a great motor if it's well tuned.

Outdrive and OMC manifold specific parts are still available but appear to be getting rarer. Be 100% sure the outdrive is well maintained and in good shape, and be very careful with it. As for Sunbird being out of business, there are very few sunbird-specific parts that are needed to keep a boat running and useable.

Personally, I was shopping for something with a Mercruiser 4.3 for commonality and parts, but I got the OMC boat for a song and so far I'm happy with it.

Edit: Be sure that the shift cable has been replaced with the updated "red" part. Many OMC boats from that period had a free upgrade done by the original dealer. My 92 Sunbird had the updated part installed within 6 months of new.

 

[MPII]

Re: question is a 1988 4,3 cobra a reliable motor??

I would say move on. That's a decent amount of boat to push with a 4.3. I have owned Merc 4.3LX (now) and I had a 4.3 OMC in the past, having owned both, I would stick with the Merc now simply because OMC is no more. But, and people disagree with me all the time, but I liked the OMC. It didn't seem to porpoise as much and was quicker out of the water. And that was on the same stats boat. My first Rinker, a 88, had the 4.3 OMC King outdrive and it was great. My current is a 92 4.3 Merc. Same 206 Captiva, same weight, etc. The OMC was faster.

Anyway, they are correct above, it is a buyer's market, spend the time and don't be afraid to pass up what appears to be a great deal.