91 Chris Craft 5.7 OMC Cobra

[nikiw]

Hi Everyone!
My husband's boss decided we needed a boat, and his neighbors boat was a good deal. So my husband (with no knowledge of anything mechanical or marine) bought this boat.
I grew up on boats, so I didn't murder him yet, but once I started researching the boat on here I discovered these OMCs aren't that easy to fix or find parts for. The model number on the engine is 574RPRPWS the serial #T01189668. The drive is Model # 986037 and the serial # T0711271. Can some of y'all please tell me if this is one of the obsolete ones. My husband said the couple of times he went to look at it the boat started up right away. When we went to pick it up (the first time I even laid eyes on it, and 3 weeks after my husband already paid for it) he had it already running in the water. He told us its runs a little warm at cruising speed due to rusted risers, and was using an external gas tank because there was gunk in the gas tank because he rarely uses the boat. It ran ok (though we were only going no wake speed through the inlet) until we got to the ramp, he went to put it in reverse and it died and wouldn't start again. So now i have this boat in my front yard my father in law and I pulled out the gas tank but there wasn't really anything it, now i'm really starting to worry. Can anyone give some info on the engine and drive, and maybe give me some suggestions about where to go next.
Thanks,
Niki

 

[Don S]

Re: 91 Chris Craft 5.7 OMC Cobra

It's a 1990 engine (PW in the model number) and it's a 5.7 Chevy with a 4bbl carb, with power steering.
The outdrive is a Cobra, dog clutch style.

Can some of y'all please tell me if this is one of the obsolete ones.

OMC went out of business in 1998, therefore, they are all obsolete. But your's isn't hard to get parts for, and it sounds like you are going to need a few.

he went to put it in reverse and it died and wouldn't start again.

When it died going into reverse, that sounds like the lower shift cable is stiff and defective and triggered the shift interrupt system (OMC has an ESA (Elecronic Shift Assist) system. That causes a mis fire on half the cylinders to allow it to come out of gear. Now, if the engine doesn't run right, that could cause the engine to die, and if the shift cable stuck, it might not release the ESA.

The manifolds and risers are going to need replaced before they cost you an engine when they leak water into the cylinders.

You really need to find a set of OEM service manuals for your PW model engine and drive. Without them, you don't stand much of a chance of getting things repaired properly.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: 91 Chris Craft 5.7 OMC Cobra

Howdy,

Welcome to iBoats!

You are right where I was when I bought an OMC boat from my Brother!!

You can get part numbers for your engine and drive from http://epc.brp.com

You don't need to enter an email address to view your model.

Just click on Stern Drive, in the drop down menu, find 1990 and your model number

Stern Drive

1990

5.70

574APRPWS 1990


It sounds like at the minimum, you'll need

OMC OEM Service manual (Not Seloc/Clymer.....use those for your burn barrel!)

Manifolds & Risers.

Raw water pump kit.

Lower shift cable (+ install and adjustment)

Fuel filters & rebuild/clean carb.

Possible fuel pump.


The above "stuff" is still available for the most part.

Although you'll possibly need to "hunt" for the service manual

If you plan on doing everything yourself, take a look at the following link.

http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/


Cheers,


Rick

 

[toolmantoo]

Re: 91 Chris Craft 5.7 OMC Cobra

Hello, I have a manual for this engine. I don't know how I would be able to get it to you because I would have to copy it and I don't know if Staples would copy it. Anyhow, what size of boat is it because I'm looking for a manual for a 1991 Chris Craft Crowne 272 cuddy.