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1979 Question for the guru's

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wmlaks

Regular Contributor
I am looking at a 1979 cobalt with an omc cobra drive. I did not think that cobra's came around until 83 or 84. the transom does not look like it has been changed or modified. As always any information is appreiated. Thanks. Michael
 
Re: Question for the guru's

cobra was introduced for the 1986 model year

now, go look at something Chevy/Mercruiser powered.. what are ya, new?
 
Re: Question for the guru's

Michael, if this 1979 Cobalt boat is equipped with an OMC Cobra, it has been modified. The transom would NOT have been structural, and has likely been infilled and made structural. If so, the OMC Stringer drive (of the day) has been removed and replaced with the Cobra drive!

You need to understand that this company no longer exists. It has long since be bought out by Volvo Penta. The drive is all Volvo Penta from 1993 on!
Parts are still availabel for many OMC drives..... but finding people who are qualified and willing to service these, can be an issue.
These were problematic drives to begin with, IMO.
This is not a statement of bios, but rather a statement from years of experience in this area.

Like Hystat suggested, look for a boat with a different power package.
My recommendation (in/around this year range) would be Volvo Penta, and get yourself away from Dog Clutch style gear engagement, and all that goes along with it. Too many headaches!


.
 
Re: Question for the guru's

or it's an 89

as far as structural transoms go, I have owned a few stringer powered boats, and seen dozens of others. All had the same 2" wood core and design as their merc powered counterparts.
I think the non-structural thing was really specific to the OMC/Evinrude/Johnson brand boats of the 1960's that were never going to have anything but OMC power by design.

my 2 1960's Grew's had identical hulls - 1 Mercruiser, 1 OMC stringer
day005.jpg
 
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Re: Question for the guru's

I've seen quite a few 20-26 footers the had a shell only at the transom and with the Stringer drive. However, I've also seen quite a few that were structural as well.
BTW, Cobalt did do a well built hull for this category boat, and very likely did have a cored transom during 1979.... but with the very large stringer drive opening.
Bottom line, I guess that it would depend on the manufacturer.
 
Re: Question for the guru's

There is no doubt that it is a cobra drive. for some reason I can not get a picture of the drive to post I was able to get a pic of the engine to post and*I did notice that the engine is a newer gm small block I do not remember when gm switched to the 4 bolt valve covers but I think it was in the 80's. the hull number for the boat is FGE80019M79A if I decoded that correctly that should be a 1979 model boat. So someone has either repowered the boat from merc to OMC or they have changed the transom to accept the omc cobra drive. I think I will pass on this one. thanks everyone. Michael
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1979 Cobalt Run-a-bout



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Re: Question for the guru's

guess I was abel to get the drive pic to post sorry about it showing up 3 times. Michael
 
Re: Question for the guru's

whoa!!!!! WHATS WITH ALL THE WATER IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ????? IM NEW HERE BUT THAT THROWS UP A RED FLAG TO ME.... ANYONE???
 
Re: Question for the guru's

dimitrimfogal said:
............ IM NEW HERE BUT THAT THROWS UP A RED FLAG TO ME.... ANYONE???
Click to expand...
wmlaks said:
.............. I think I will pass on this one. thanks everyone. Michael
Click to expand...

I think that he saw the red flag! :)

That having been said, it still may be worth investigating further.
It could be a bargaining tool. You'd have to get it cheaply, and be up for a project, however!

.
 
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