Hello to everyone and a question or two about a Cobra 5.8

[BaltimoreSailor]

Hi everybody! I've spent all my boating time with sailboats and their engines (Atomic Fours and 2-cyl diesels), but now I'm entering the powerboat realm, specifically a 1989 Bayliner Ciera 2455 Sunbridge with a Cobra 5.8 OMC engine.

I have no idea what I have here. Where would I find the model number so I can get specs and info? I haven't bought it yet, but the price is right and the owner says everything works. But then he tells me there's something going on with putting it into reverse. A ticking sound of some kind, and sometimes the engine stalls, but then starts right back up again and reverses with no further problems. He tells me the mechanic told him that the part in question could be hard to find, and I'm wondering if I'm looking at a repowering.

Any advice?

Thanks!

 

[matt167]

Strike one is 80s Bay liner also known as rot liner, strike 2 is OMC. Strike 3 is Ford power ( not bad in itself. Just NLA )

Icing on the cake to run is noise and trouble in reverse.. Cobra drives can be okay but they are also known for some problems and shift adjustments are critical or the drives will destroy themselves

 

[KD4UPL]

I would look at a different boat. Information, parts, and mechanics for that thing will all be hard to come by.
I used to run an '89 Bayliner that belonged to my neighbor. I wouldn't own one.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Any advice?

look at better boats

avoid anything older than 15 years old if looking at fiberglass power boats unless you want a project
avoid anything bayliner pre 2002
avoid anything OMC (they havent been in business for about 30 years)
avoid anything ford powered (they havent supported anything marine for about 30 years)