who has OMC out drives??

Alexo1us

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 26, 2004
Messages
81
Since I'm trying to feel better about mine how many OMC owners out there who like their drives what sorts of problems have you been having.
 

buddyx1

Cadet
Joined
Apr 26, 2004
Messages
20
Re: who has OMC out drives??

So far so good with mine.<br /><br />1987 MonArk 4.3L with Cobra Outdrive
 

Catchem

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 17, 2004
Messages
196
Re: who has OMC out drives??

Same here,So far so good.Hoping it stays that way to.LOL
 

cobra 3.0

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 31, 2003
Messages
1,797
Re: who has OMC out drives??

1986 Peterborough 3.0 Cobra drive. Works just fine. Personaly I find the cobra drive much stronger looking than the Merc Alpha 1.
 

rml

Seaman
Joined
May 15, 2002
Messages
58
Re: who has OMC out drives??

The Cobra: it's easy to check/change the impeller and the bellows. Parts are readily available and as long as the often discussed shift cable issue has been corrected it'll shift with one finger. Love your Cobra, it deserves it ;) <br /><br />Regards,<br /><br /> --rml
 

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
Re: who has OMC out drives??

Been running an 800 stringer for 24 years. It did take a couple of years rest in the early 90's but has an easy 1800 hours on it. Many of them pulling multiple skiers and a 200 or so hours of salt water use. <br /><br />I don't have any alignment problems, no u-joint problems, no bellows problems or any of the other myriad of problems that are constantly talked about for Mercs.<br /><br />The outdrive will turn the boat within it's own length, will tilt up fast enough to avoid that un-noticed ski rope that you just ran over and will tilt up far enough to allow a prop change while sitting on the transom plus it doesn't wag like a dogs tail as I'm driving down the road.<br /><br />I am in the process of rebuilding my floor and upgrading my 302 to a stroked 331. With motor and outdrive out of the boat I thought I would take the outdrive down for a general inspection. I've only ever had one other impeller change and no other repairs. The lower unit was in excellent shape, I did have them replace two rather expensive water pump drive shafts as well as the impeller and housing. Total bill was $1K after 24 years. Not bad.
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
12,233
Re: who has OMC out drives??

1988 4.3 Cobra. So far it has needed a shift cable adjustment like they all do, one seal replaced and the impeller which I did myself.<br />The main thing with Cobras is to find a good shop to work on them, if you can't then you have to learn yourself! I'll run it as long as I can get parts, when that becomes a problem I'll look into the Volvo SX conversion.
 

Boatin Bob

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 24, 2001
Messages
1,858
Re: who has OMC out drives??

I've had Cobra's since 1988 and currently have 2 1989 460 King Cobra's, no really big problems but for some reason I seem to go through a lot trim senders, I have to change one every couple of years and last year had to do both at $120 CDN a piece and I boat in fresh water.
 

keelhauled

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 5, 2003
Messages
172
Re: who has OMC out drives??

I think the key to owning any OMC is due diligence in regard to maintenance. No real big problems with my 800. I've had to do a water pump and reseal since it sat for a number of years and the old rubber took a set. Other than that, it works great, sounds great and takes me to the fish!
 

Lark40

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 29, 2001
Messages
793
Re: who has OMC out drives??

I did the Volvo SX conversion. Complete repower with FI Volvo 4.3. <br /><br />Sure, it was expensive, but no more grief with the Cobra ESA preventing starting or stalling out, or jamming into gear. No more nervous listening, just turn the key and enjoy the day.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: who has OMC out drives??

Moving to I/O
 
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