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1989 OMC Okay?
- Thread starter grinner
- Start date
ezstriper
Well-known member
I had a pair of OMC cobra drives in another boat for 9 years, they worked great for me with no issues, I have heard from some that they are stronger than a alpha, I do know they carry twice the lube which is a big plus...they did have some shift cable issues, only parts may become a issue now as they are long gone...I'm not a fan of the 351 ford and thats what it would be if it's a 5.8, most costly for parts again as their were many less of them used, but overall not a bad package...Rob
1989 omc okay
I purchased a 1989 Senator with the OMC package in November.
We replaced the lower transom shift cable on the boat,
due to poor shifting action.
If the cable is original,or one of the black cables,
replace it with the new generation cable as soon as
possible. (RED CABLE)
The company did have a recall on this problem,
gears were going south ,due to the sluggish shift cable assembly.
The part runs about $75.00,with about $300.00 labour.
Other than that problem,
the Senator is a great boat.
-Dave
I purchased a 1989 Senator with the OMC package in November.
We replaced the lower transom shift cable on the boat,
due to poor shifting action.
If the cable is original,or one of the black cables,
replace it with the new generation cable as soon as
possible. (RED CABLE)
The company did have a recall on this problem,
gears were going south ,due to the sluggish shift cable assembly.
The part runs about $75.00,with about $300.00 labour.
Other than that problem,
the Senator is a great boat.
-Dave
happy
Active member
volo penta has the parts for these drives, king cobra is a bit of a hassle, and your going to have to pay a gear head who knows what there doing to make it all work. one of the biggest pains on omc was there shift set up!! there is no sure fire way to quote it other than 1 to 4 k.. and a cobra will be more... and you have to remember alot of these were installed prior to the standard cutout.. you might be more cost effective to reglass the transom
as far as drives go.. if you got a king cobra, omc or volvo, you have a much better drive than merc, as long as you take care of it.. merc is the cheaper to repair of the bunch... now i'm not a fan at all of the stringer drive by omc, but i've seen more of them living than any of the mercs,
as far as drives go.. if you got a king cobra, omc or volvo, you have a much better drive than merc, as long as you take care of it.. merc is the cheaper to repair of the bunch... now i'm not a fan at all of the stringer drive by omc, but i've seen more of them living than any of the mercs,
Big Dave
Member
Dad had a 17'deckboat with a 4.3 v6 and a cobra drive, we had to rebuild or replace the drive 3 times in 5 years.
It does not turn or back as good as a mercruiser, and does not trim as far either
props were much harder to find, but with hubless props now you can buy a hub to fit almost anything
It does not turn or back as good as a mercruiser, and does not trim as far either
props were much harder to find, but with hubless props now you can buy a hub to fit almost anything
bigsbetter
Active member
Mercruiser is definitley more desireable, but if the boat is at a really good price...almost too good to pass up, then I wouldn't pass it up just because it had an OMC. The old white ones from the late 70's,early eighties were worse, the grey cobras, like yours are better, but still had their common shift cable problem. If it's everthing you want in a boat and can't find one with a Mercruiser, then buy it.