Please help me identify my OMC Stern Drive

[JKIRK1]

Hi Folks,

I just recently purchased a 1990 Forrester Caspian 2100 Limited Edition with the 5.7 (Chevy) V8 and OMC Cobra outdrive. I'm hoping that I can get some help identifying my outdrive as I have had several people tell me that it was a Cobra and several tell me that it was a King Cobra. Now, on the top of the air cleaner on the engine it does state King Cobra 350. Here is the info on the engine and drive. I apologize in advance if this has been covered, but I did spend several hours searching the board for info rather than bugging you folks.

Engine model - 574BRPGDP - 1988, 5.7 Liter, 4 barrel, manufactured in 1988 per the sticky under OMC
Ser No - T1069664

Outdrive Model - 985273
Outdrive Ser No - T0614026

Transom Mount Model - 985288
Transom Mount Ser No - T0168094

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Please help me identify my OMC Stern Drive

Hi Folks,

I just recently purchased a 1990 Forrester Caspian 2100 Limited Edition with the 5.7 (Chevy) V8 and OMC Cobra outdrive. I'm hoping that I can get some help identifying my outdrive as I have had several people tell me that it was a Cobra and several tell me that it was a King Cobra. Now, on the top of the air cleaner on the engine it does state King Cobra 350. Here is the info on the engine and drive. I apologize in advance if this has been covered, but I did spend several hours searching the board for info rather than bugging you folks.

Engine model - 574BRPGDP - 1988, 5.7 Liter, 4 barrel, manufactured in 1988 per the sticky under OMC
Ser No - T1069664

Outdrive Model - 985273
Outdrive Ser No - T0614026

Transom Mount Model - 985288
Transom Mount Ser No - T0168094

Howdy,

Welcome Aboard!!


It looks like you have identified it fairly closely. The engine model number indeed indicates that it is a 1988 model. The drive associated with that engine would be a dog-clutch model Cobra.

OMC used "KING" with several (very different) engine/drive combinations.......... dog-clutch and cone. It also doesn't mean much.


If your drive has a flat top (no-hump)

It is a "plain-vanilla" dog-clutch drive.

Most parts are available (with a few exceptions.)

 

[JKIRK1]

Re: Please help me identify my OMC Stern Drive

Howdy,

Welcome Aboard!!


It looks like you have identified it fairly closely. The engine model number indeed indicates that it is a 1988 model. The drive associated with that engine would be a dog-clutch model Cobra.

OMC used "KING" with several (very different) engine/drive combinations.......... dog-clutch and cone. It also doesn't mean much.


If your drive has a flat top (no-hump)

It is a "plain-vanilla" dog-clutch drive.

Most parts are available (with a few exceptions.)

Fantastic, thanks! I bought this boat cheap enough and knowing the OMC history. Right now it runs like a dream and I just spent the entire weekend on the lake with 0 issues. I just want to get my knowledge together on the boat and drive in-case I have any issues in the future.

You are correct, it does have the flat top. So, it appears that parts tend to be available for this model. Also, it is my understanding that if I choose, this model has several different swap options..Volvo Penta and Mercruiser if it was to all go bad. That is why I was really trying to nail this drive down, to form all of my contingency plans. Doing some research on this sight I was starting to figure out that the regular cobra you can convert to other drives, but the King Cobra cone you cannot.

Thanks for your help!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Please help me identify my OMC Stern Drive

it is my understanding that if I choose, this model has several different swap options..Volvo Penta and Mercruiser if it was to all go bad. That is why I was really trying to nail this drive down, to form all of my contingency plans. Doing some research on this sight I was starting to figure out that the regular cobra you can convert to other drives, but the King Cobra cone you cannot.

Thanks for your help!

"Conversion" to another drive can take many forms.

In general with ANY Cobra (including all the "cones"), you can remove the engine, drive and transom-mount and replace it with ANY newer Alpha, GENII, Bravo, and Volvo SX transom/drives etc.

Depending on models, you may have to drill a 2 additional holes for the 2 additional transom mount studs in an Alpha GEN II or Bravo but the actual cut-out is the "same".

In *some* year models, the (Cone) King Cobra can be replaced with a Volvo SX. Maybe the Volvo experts can chime in here........

My choice was to replace my 460 King Kobra with a 454/Bravo because I couldn't find a used BBC/Volvo. I did however find (and continue to find) SEVERAL Mercruiser engine and drive combos with various year/hours etc........ Used parts for Mercruiser seems to be cheaper and more available......


Cheers,


Rick

 

[JKIRK1]

Re: Please help me identify my OMC Stern Drive

"Conversion" to another drive can take many forms.

In general with ANY Cobra (including all the "cones"), you can remove the engine, drive and transom-mount and replace it with ANY newer Alpha, GENII, Bravo, and Volvo SX transom/drives etc.

Depending on models, you may have to drill a 2 additional holes for the 2 additional transom mount studs in an Alpha GEN II or Bravo but the actual cut-out is the "same".

In *some* year models, the (Cone) King Cobra can be replaced with a Volvo SX. Maybe the Volvo experts can chime in here........

My choice was to replace my 460 King Kobra with a 454/Bravo because I couldn't find a used BBC/Volvo. I did however find (and continue to find) SEVERAL Mercruiser engine and drive combos with various year/hours etc........ Used parts for Mercruiser seems to be cheaper and more available......


Cheers,


Rick

Rick,

Thanks again for your time and information. I'm really impressed with the boat I purchased (for the price) even though it has the OMC stigma. I understood (for the most part) going in what I was up against and I'm prepared to keep it running through maintenance and upgrades if necessary. I'm pretty handy with a wrench, so it's all about research for me and knowing what I have.

Bottom line, you can buy these OMC driven boats at a great deal because of the bad press. My only requirement when looking at boats (if it was not a Merc) was that the engine was GM. I can go from there with the parts and aftermarket if all goes bad. For now, I'm just going to run it with no reservations or concerns until something goes wrong. With the 350 V8 and 21 feet long, this thing runs very strong. Plus, the bonus was this was a one owner boat and I have every receipt itemizing every dollar spent on the boat.

Again, I appreciate your time!

Jeff


Jeff