Which outdrive do We have?

[Tnstratofam]

I hope this works. After reading another thread I need to verify if I have a standard cobra outdrive or a king cobra as it is labeled. I'm trying to upload the pictures from photobucket. The drive is on a 1988 Stratos 2000xls with a 350 chevy The model number is 985289 and the serial number is T0150104.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Which outdrive do We have?

Standard.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Which outdrive do We have?

So if it is a standard cobra then it can be replaced with and SEI drive when it fails correct? We're getting ready to restore this big beautiful boat and the outdrive has really had me freaked out about investing so much on the restore. New floor, stringers, interior, and a repaint. We love this boat and I'm willing to keep the outdrive as long as she keeps on humming along.



The Admiral and I really love the way she sounds with the through hull exhaust.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Which outdrive do We have?

Yes it can.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Which outdrive do We have?

Thanks bruceb58. I thought my drive was a king cobra because of all the markings and stickers. It's really confusing with OMC stuff sometimes as it is hard to find knowledgeable people to help you. Thanks again.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Which outdrive do We have?

Some engine packages with the standard Cobra were called a King Cobra because of a higher output or through the transom exhaust.
If a standard Cobra has been maintained properly, it can last a VERY long time. In fact if mine failed I'd rather get a rebuilt Cobra than go with the SEI conversion. With the Cobra I know that if its set up right they shift very smooth. Standard Alphas do not shift as smooth. SEI drives are noisy, a good Cobra by comparison is very quiet. Mine's 25 years old is that good enough reliability?
I think the SEI conversion is a clever idea but unless I could drive one to see how it shifts and hear the noise level I'd rather stick with what I have.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Which outdrive do We have?

The King Cobra stickers were used on a lot of the Cobras.
The true KC was the big block and a few HP 5.7's
You drive can last a long time.Just make sure the oils filled from the screw on the side.
Check it regular.
The bellcrank (part of the shift system)needs regular lube too.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Which outdrive do We have?

The drive we have had a new gearset put in it last year. It shifts really well and I will be maintaining it per the factory manual. We just got the boat in the spring. The po said they had it for about 11 years. Not sure what happened to cause the gearset to fail or need replacing, but in one of the pictures I posted you can see a weld spot on the upper housing. Maybe there was damage done from water leaking into the drive? Anyway other than a fuel issue from earlier this year mechanically the boat is good. If the admiral doesn't have me too busy this weekend I may start removing the interior and start posting some pictures and asking questions in a new thread on the resto page. Which reminds me whats the best way of posting pics here on the forum? I have a photobucket account, but I wasn't able to get all the pictures to show up on the thread. Some of them showed up as links instead. How can I post them differently?

 

[Lou C]

Re: Which outdrive do We have?

Did it have to have the upper gears replaced or the lower gears? If it was the upper, that can happen if the outdrive was not properly re-filled with gear oil by someone who does not know Cobras and that results in low oil level and burned out upper gears. If it was the lower gears that usually happens because of a sticky or mis-adjusted shift cable causing the drive to jump out of gear which rounds off the engagement points of the sliding dog clutch and foward or reverse gears.
The welded spot is because the gasket between the drive and the transom mount leaked water into that area and it froze and expended cracking the housing. When the drive is services that gasket has to be coated on both sides with OMC gasket sealer and that will keep most of the water out. It can also come in from the cable side but on mine I have not had a problem with water in that area. The issues with Cobras is a lack of knowledge and some parts are getting hard to find. If you maintain them properly they are very good drives.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Which outdrive do We have?

I'll have to look at the paperwork the po gave me to see which gearset was replaced. I think lower. The po kept this boat in the water at a local marina every summer and then pulled it out in the fall. He claims to have kept it serviced every year by a local marina. Don't know if its true or not he gave me the OMC service manual which was well worn. By him or the servicing dealer I don't know. The boat shifted fine when we used it this summer. Only had trouble taking it out of forward a time or too. It seemed to take a little more force than I thought it should. I'm planning on pulling the outdrive and checking alignment and the shift cable next spring as well as the bellows. She's in our garage now being torn down for a resto. I'll be starting that thread tomorrow. Man what a mess!!! Thanks for all the info on the drive. It was the biggest reason I hadn't started the resto. We didn't want to put a new deck and stringers into a boat that we would have to repower. Cheaper to buy another mess with a more servicable drive in it.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Which outdrive do We have?

When you pull the drive, get the manual and find the parts diagrams and find the "bellcrank"
Due to poor design,the area around the BC leaks and water can get in and cause it to shift hard.
Get the tools to set the shift cables.Good investment.
Shift Cable Bell Crank Adjustment Tools OMC Cobra Sterndrive 914017 915271 | eBay
Didn't realize the tool was that expensive.Time to make some and sell them.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Which outdrive do We have?

I will be getting one of these soon. Thanks for the link.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Which outdrive do We have?

Search
Midnight Wolf OMC tools, he sells the 2 main ones you need. Look at the service bulletins he has on the website. They are very helpful. Clean out the area around the bell crank pack it with OMC triple guard grease.
I use mine under the harshest conditions for an I/O; moored in salt water 6 months; if you pack the area around the bell crank and really coat the gasket with sealer it'll work fine all season

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Which outdrive do We have?

Thanks for all the great info. It really helps you keep things running smooth with all the great info you get here on this site. The admiral and I just want to say thanks...