HT32BSX115
Supreme Mariner
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2005
- Messages
- 10,083
Re: OMC Cobra to Volvo Penta DP-S Conversion
I did not look at engineering drawings or do any real careful measuring.
It also "appeared" that the yokes used the same U-joints and the length was close. I know the gimbal bearing was the same dimensions since the replacement bearing I had for my KC drive was the same GLM part number as for my Bravo.
It appears at least "possible" that one could have a machine shop drill a 460 flywheel to accept a Bravo coupler.
If it actually worked, it would only solve the coupler issue.... It wouldn't solve the exhaust manifold/elbow problems nor would it solve the other problems with other (non-available) parts for the 460 King Cobra engine and drive.
Those jacketed SS manifolds above are something like $4000
So after you do all that modifying, you REALLY have a "Franken-Drive" with several scarce parts inside and far less value than the cost.
There's another show stopper in the whole mess that I never considered until sold my original 460 flywheel housing. (bell housing)
An owner in Ca was running his 460 powered boat at a rather high power setting when the coupler catastrophically failed.
When it failed it almost completely destroyed the flywheel housing!
The person trying to fix it almost gave up on the repair because he could not find a replacement housing. Non exist except for salvage.
I did not know a coupler could fail like that. I thought they just tore up the rubber but stayed intact.
The best bet would probably be to find a 454 and use the VP drive. (if you can find a good used VP transom shield/gimbal, you might be even more money ahead in the long run since you'd be all VP)
Obviously, you'll need to compare the cost of a used VP gimbal with using your OMC gimbal + whatever adapter kit you'll have to buy to make it all work)
Good luck,
Rick
When I had my OMC King Kobra drive right along side the newer Merc Bravo, it "appeared" that the spline dimensions were similar. (or even the same)
I did not look at engineering drawings or do any real careful measuring.
It also "appeared" that the yokes used the same U-joints and the length was close. I know the gimbal bearing was the same dimensions since the replacement bearing I had for my KC drive was the same GLM part number as for my Bravo.
It appears at least "possible" that one could have a machine shop drill a 460 flywheel to accept a Bravo coupler.
If it actually worked, it would only solve the coupler issue.... It wouldn't solve the exhaust manifold/elbow problems nor would it solve the other problems with other (non-available) parts for the 460 King Cobra engine and drive.
Those jacketed SS manifolds above are something like $4000
So after you do all that modifying, you REALLY have a "Franken-Drive" with several scarce parts inside and far less value than the cost.
There's another show stopper in the whole mess that I never considered until sold my original 460 flywheel housing. (bell housing)
An owner in Ca was running his 460 powered boat at a rather high power setting when the coupler catastrophically failed.
When it failed it almost completely destroyed the flywheel housing!
The person trying to fix it almost gave up on the repair because he could not find a replacement housing. Non exist except for salvage.
I did not know a coupler could fail like that. I thought they just tore up the rubber but stayed intact.
The best bet would probably be to find a 454 and use the VP drive. (if you can find a good used VP transom shield/gimbal, you might be even more money ahead in the long run since you'd be all VP)
Obviously, you'll need to compare the cost of a used VP gimbal with using your OMC gimbal + whatever adapter kit you'll have to buy to make it all work)
Good luck,
Rick