1995 Four Winns 220 Horizon Help!!

[shakalu]

Hi,

Looking to buy a new boat. I have a pretty good deal for a 95 Four Winns Horizon 220 with 255hrs on the engine. It's a 351 Ford Cobra 5.8 (EFI). I am hesitant because I have heard of the priciness of replacing parts in the outdrive if this thing goes south. But I have also heard that the Volvo parts will work for the 95, in which case it wouldn't be a problem. I'm trading, about 8k in trade value so I think it's a pretty good deal but I would appreciate any help or advice!









Thanks guys

 

[oops!]

Re: 1995 Four Winns 220 Horizon Help!!

hi....welcome to iboats !

we need more info on the drive....what kind is it?

volvo bought omc in 92 so the cobra ended....

 

[JoLin]

Re: 1995 Four Winns 220 Horizon Help!!

volvo bought omc in 92 so the cobra ended....

It's confusing. Volvo and OMC entered into a joint venture in 1992. Volvo purchased OMC's outdrive division in 1998 or thereabouts. If the drive is a 'Cobra SX', it's the result of the joint venture and, if I understand correctly, it's the same drive internally as a V-P SX.

I'd be somewhat concerned about the motor, tho. That 5.8 is a Ford, which has been out of the marine market for as long as OMC has.

BTW- My '97 is pure V-P except for the shift/throttle controller, which has an 'OMC' tag on it.


My .02

 

[benjh1028]

Re: 1995 Four Winns 220 Horizon Help!!

I have a 1995 Larson with a Ford 302 and Volvo Penta SX (same as Cobra SX). Getting parts for it is a non-issue. And, thankfully both have been very reliable.

Ben

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 1995 Four Winns 220 Horizon Help!!

Unless you have to buy a new ECU (highly unlikely), you shouldn't have any issues getting parts for that engine. It was a great engine and the Volvo SX internals are probably more desirable than the Alpha II offered around the same time period.

 

[shakalu]

Re: 1995 Four Winns 220 Horizon Help!!

Thanks all for your input. So the consensus is that if something were to go south with the engine, it won't be too hard to find parts and fix? I've heard so much from both sides doing my research online. I would basically be trading in about 7-8k for this boat, and so I'm just trying to see if it is worth it. The low hours (255) is what is really selling it for me. I think I'll go check her out, anything in particular you think I should watch out for when I'm looking at the engine? I'll probably take it to a marine mechanic before I do the actual swap.

Thanks again

 

[shakalu]

Re: 1995 Four Winns 220 Horizon Help!!

I have a 1995 Larson with a Ford 302 and Volvo Penta SX (same as Cobra SX). Getting parts for it is a non-issue. And, thankfully both have been very reliable.

Ben

Ben,

Do you have to go to a specific place to get your parts or have you found them to be pretty readily accessible? I'm in SoCal so I figure it wouldn't be too hard to find parts here if they are available.

 

[benjh1028]

Re: 1995 Four Winns 220 Horizon Help!!

Ben,

Do you have to go to a specific place to get your parts or have you found them to be pretty readily accessible? I'm in SoCal so I figure it wouldn't be too hard to find parts here if they are available.

I order most parts online right here from iboats because of the price. However, the Volvo Penta dealr down the street stocks most every part or can have it to me within 24 hrs.

Ben

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 1995 Four Winns 220 Horizon Help!!

There isn't a whole lot of anything on that engine that is Volvo-specific. It's all standard Ford 351w parts, with the ECU, Exhausts, and maybe the steering pump being Volvo. You don't replace ECU's or steering pumps very often (read: almost never) and the exhaust are rarely replaced but can be found numerous places online. There's no issue with that powerplant/drivetrain if it's in good condition. It's a time-tested and proven motor with great power in auto and marine applications.

 

[shakalu]

Re: 1995 Four Winns 220 Horizon Help!!

I think I'm going to go pick the four winns up today, pretty excited! There's one thing - the boat has been run a couple times in salt water, but there doesn't look like there's any corrosion or anything in the motor or on the outdrive. Is that something I should be worried about? The boat started up just fine and went all the way up to high revs with no problem whatsoever.


Thanks!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1995 Four Winns 220 Horizon Help!!

You should flush after use in saltwater but it isn't acid. I wouldn't worry about it if there are no signs of corrosion. Don't rev your boat on muffs.