Search results

  1. D

    sudden loss of power

    Sounds good. I've got a carb rebuild kit on order, will tear into it sometime next week probably. I'll check the fuel pressure and pump vacuum before doing anything just to see where it's at, but I need a new gauge as I can't find mine. Fair enough, it's been 20 years and I've moved twice since...
  2. D

    sudden loss of power

    1987 Searay 19', 4.3 OMC Cobra This weekend I was cruising along at around 3k rpm / 30 mph and hit a wake pretty hard. Nothing unusual, but it was a definite jolt that I should have backed off for. Immediately after the first hit, the engine bogged hard. I dropped to idle and got through the...
  3. D

    Post a pic of yours.... classic/vintage or new Sea Ray

    Went for a short ride on the bay last night to test a few things, Runs darn well for a 35 year old boat!
  4. D

    Oil Filter, alt brands

    I like Napa cause they are the last man standing for local shops with any knowledge at all in my area. They get my business every time I can.
  5. D

    RWD Tow Vehicle Launch Issues?

    Here with tidal waters and a slimy river, it's not uncommon at low tide to see people struggle with traction. A few guys on the bumper is all it takes. I'm sure it depends on the ramp, but most of those utube vids are loading or driving error. I launch with a 2wd van, never have a problem even...
  6. D

    Burning Rubber Smell and White Smoke from Engine?

    How do the belts look?
  7. D

    Trailer questions for vintage Glastron Tri-hull

    That trailer looks much better! Our first boat when I was a kid was a 15' Glasstron trihull with a Chrysler 75. Wicked holeshot, no top speed, but we all skiied behind that thing for a few years. Mom hated the smoke, so dad sold it and got an IO (this was in the 80's, no 4 stroke OB's). That...
  8. D

    Leak Identification - Transom Plate Seal ?? - 4.3L OMC

    Where are you? I did find one old dude near me that would work on the Cobra. Although he really didn't want to, and convinced me to do it myself. I did tow it to him twice to help me with a few specific things though. I snorted a bit when I read Scott's weekend timeline, lol. It took me more...
  9. D

    Intake manifold

    I went the cheaper route than Lou and used the full GLM kit. The manifold/risers appear fine, though I can obviously only see the outside. I had no fit/leak issues, though I did deburr with a flat file followed by some 220 grit on a square metal bar to clean up the mating surfaces prior to...
  10. D

    Spare Stern Drive

    What's that unit do for shifting? If it replaced all the cobra shifting stuff it may be worth it! Earlier this year I installed an SEI lower unit on my cobra and so far it's been fine. It's was cheaper than paying someone to rebuild my old lower unit. But that conversion is a lot more...
  11. D

    Hole shot, or up easy?

    My boat pops out pretty easy, so I don't think it matters much how I get through the plow. Recently while running in a new lower unit I was taking it super easy and it was sort of cool to see how slowly I could get from idle to plane. It was a bit surprising to me that by going super slow with...
  12. D

    outdrive stored down

    Exactly, Lou. If I see a leak, I'll fix it asap. I'm not worried about the epa. Well, I am, but not about this lol. My boat lives on a trailer, I'll most likely see a leak in my driveway like I did this time. Unless the epa comes for me about a few drops in the driveway, in which case I'm...
  13. D

    outdrive stored down

    I hear you, It's probably not my smartest decision. But it always comes down to consequence of failure vs cost, right? For example, the batwings were very expensive to replace, but the consequence of failure is very high (lunched engine) so they got replaced. These hoses, for me, fall into the...
  14. D

    outdrive stored down

    Well after looking around and pricing the hoses today, I remember why I didn't replace any of them! I've got the one that's leaking on order now, hopefully the others don't let go next week lol.
  15. D

    outdrive stored down

    welp, looks like the leak is either the hose itself, or up at the manifold. I was hoping it was a bad o-ring on the connection to the ram, but it's not leaking there. The oil is travelling down the hose from further up. It's the front hose on the starboard ram. Am I right in thinking the gimble...
  16. D

    outdrive stored down

    1987 4.3 Cobra Why is it recommended to store the drive down? I've noticed if I put the drive down, it leaks hydraulic fluid from one of the rams. I think from the hose connection, though it's a bit messy to really tell and I have not investigated fully yet. If I keep the outdrive up, it does...
  17. D

    OMC Stringer 3.0 belt replacement

    That's crazy. What if you pop a belt on the lake? Guess it's a good reason to be up on your routine maintenance.
  18. D

    Substantial transom water leak, 1987 Four Winns Cobra 4.3

    No matter the problem, the solution is going to involve pulling the drive and engine out of the boat. Once the engine is out, pull the whole transom plate and go from there. Any rot issues will be easier to see, and you'll be able to inspect everything. I had a leak at that same point and...
  19. D

    Volvo Penta sx/Cobra 800 swap

    It's confusing because 800 and Cobra are not the same. It is not clear what you are looking to replace your Cobra SX with. The 800 (stringer) is massively different, whole different hole in the transom. The OG Cobra looks more or less like the SX.
  20. D

    Mixing Lights and Grounding questions

    My plan is to use simple non-insulated butt splice connectors with adhesive shrink tube over it. I've had better luck with that than the connectors with built on heat shrink.
Top