Re: '92 OMC King Cobra 351
hi jeff....i have same situation as yourself....have to rebuild the engine...roughly what is the cost to do this or is there another engine that would fit....would i have to change the outdrive also??
thanks paddy
Howdy,
Well, you don't have to "rebuild" the engine if you don't want to. You can actually go to places like Rapido, USENGINE or other (possibly local) engine rebuilders and just exchange your engine for a rebuilt long block. Sometimes a machine shop rebuild is a tad more than a ready-to-go longblock.
You shouldn't have to do anything with your drive if it's otherwise serviceable.
If you have drive problems too, well, It might be a good idea to consider changing it all over to a complete Mercruiser or SEI setup.
If you needed an engine AND a drive, since you'd be replacing the manifolds AND risers, it would also be advantageous to think about going to a GM engine+ Mercruiser (type) drive since they're more supportable these days.
Don't get me wrong, there was NOTHING wrong with the Ford (based) Marine engines.
It's just that no one uses them anymore in stern drives (since the 90's or so....) the aftermarket is beginning (and will continue) to "dry-up" for stuff like manifolds and other marine specific stuff (couplers, etc) making those things more and more expensive.....
It seems that you all are basically recomending to just go with a new ignition system. Which I am fine with if it is what it is..
Well, yes. If yours is broke beyond repair......meaning something NLA is broke. That's why I suggested you get the OEM OMC service manual. The Spitfire ignition system was a complicated system. I wouldn't trust the Seloc or Clymer manuals for troubleshooting it (besides, you need paper to start your woodstove don't you?
)
And yes the outdrive does have to match.. At least with the King Cobra from what I have learned...
This only means that the vertical drive must be the correct ratio. The outdrive that bolted to the 5.8L engine it probably the same ratio as the one that was installed with the 5.7 or 5.0 engines.
The service manuals for those years indicate which drives went with which engines.