Re: need to get rid of my cobra ? on converting to an alpha
The other option, although costly is to do the Volvo SX conversion, where you replace the pivot housing to the later style so the SX drive can be used, an engine mounted impeller has to be added, but this is much less work than pulling everything out to change it all to a Merc. Downside is the Volvo is a lot more expensive than a Merc Alpha, more in the range of a Bravo. It depends on your situation....if the engine and transom assembly are in good shape....and you don't have the ability to pull out the whole power package...and you have a Volvo shop who can help out if you have trouble....not a bad option....but if the engine is shot...or the transom assembly is corroded....then the Merc swap starts to make more sense.
Here is a pic of the SX drive on the Cobra transom shield, Volvo made a kit to do this---
And the only reason the upper gears in a Cobra would 'fail again' is if the drive was shimmed wrong or someone changed the gear oil and did not do it the right way....the one in my boat is 21 years old, it has needed a few seals and a bearing retainer replaced....but other than that it runs very quiet and shifts fine...and, it's been in salt water 6 months at a time....for at least 8 seasons....I don't consider that unreliable...but I can see people wanting to get something that's easier to get fixed for sure.
BTW I heard that SEI engineering (maker of aftermarket Mercs) is going to come out with a 'solution' for the OMC Cobra drives this summer....what it sounds like is they are maybe going to build a custom pivot housing so an Alpha can be used on a Cobra transom shield...they are already selling the OMC outboard lower unit which is very similar, almost identical to the Cobra lower uint.....I'd like to see this but wouldn't want to be the first one who tries it....interesting idea though.
