Need a little info on OMC Outdrives

[bg10]

I recently looked at a used 1986 25' GradyWhite 254 Sailfish. It was repowered with new twin Vortex 4.3 L engines in 2004 and have since had 90 hours put on them. I was told the out drives where completely redone in 2005 and that they were OMC out drives. Can anyone look at the pictures and tell me if they are Cobra OMC out Drives. I should have taken down the serial numbers on the outdrives but I didn't at the time. Also ,if they are Cobra out drives ,Im looking for opinions on them and the availability for getting parts in the future. I've heard 50/50 in regards to staying away from these outdrives and am looking for other opinions from people who have dealt with them.
Thanks in advance.
I currently have a 20' grady 1985 with a single Evenrude Outboard and do all my own service.

 

[FLAT RATE]

Re: Need a little info on OCM Outdrives

Re: Need a little info on OCM Outdrives

They look like OMC Cobra drives to me, that being said, I have a OMC Cobra and in 16 years of use the only things I have had to do to my Cobra drive was replace water pump impeller a couple of times, change the lube yearly and check the bellows and alighnment on an annual basis. Cobra drives are pretty solid if taken care of properly and filled with the proper lube the correct way (follow the directions, its different than a Merc.). They were a bit picky about shift cable adjustment being proper but if you follow the directions to the tee or have someone with knowledge on adjusting the cables you should have no problems. As far as getting parts, can't say for sure, never needed to get any but have heard that they could be harder to get and more expensive than a comparable Merc. I would not pass on the boat just because it had Cobra drives, I'd look at the overall package and then decide. I would buy a boat again with a Cobra drive if everything else checks out OK.

 

[projo198]

Re: Need a little info on OCM Outdrives

Re: Need a little info on OCM Outdrives

If they are OMCs, and as stated above, the biggest thing is getting the shift cable right. That is what keeps people away from them, due to the fact that a bad shift cable can eat your gears and they cost 1G to replace.

As for parts availability it is ROUGH, trust me. Local shops will gouge you, so you're better off shopping online.

As a side note; you might be able to capitalize on the dogma surrounding OMC drives and bring the price down during negotiating.

 

[Don S]

Re: Need a little info on OCM Outdrives

Re: Need a little info on OCM Outdrives

Lots of parts available for the Cobra drives, not so much for the King Cobras. The big problem with OMC drives is that OMC went out of buisness in 98, so no new factory trained service techs.
Even an aftermarket company makes a conversion kit to change the drive to a Mercruiser.

 

[Levinz11]

Re: Need a little info on OCM Outdrives

Re: Need a little info on OCM Outdrives

If they are OMCs, and as stated above, the biggest thing is getting the shift cable right. That is what keeps people away from them, due to the fact that a bad shift cable can eat your gears and they cost 1G to replace.

As for parts availability it is ROUGH, trust me. Local shops will gouge you, so you're better off shopping online.

As a side note; you might be able to capitalize on the dogma surrounding OMC drives and bring the price down during negotiating.

If you like the boat...like projo said, use the OMC dilemma as a MAJOR bargaining point. I don't know the history of my rig too well, but it shifts great, doesn't leak and has so far served me well.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Need a little info on OCM Outdrives

Re: Need a little info on OCM Outdrives

Lots of parts available for the Cobra drives, not so much for the King Cobras. The big problem with OMC drives is that OMC went out of buisness in 98, so no new factory trained service techs.
Even an aftermarket company makes a conversion kit to change the drive to a Mercruiser.

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard bg10,... While I'm no fan of OMCs,...
OMC is in the class of Rambler, 'n Edsel...
Dead, 'n Gone...

What I find extremely troublin' with those pictures is the fact that the hull has trim tabs, And twin whaletails on the drives....

1 or the other, Maybe, but Both tells me that hull is Waterlogged, 'n Soaked to a hellacious Weight....