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View Full Version : 89 460 king cobra is this a undesirable combo?



Philip47
08-06-2001, 11:19 PM
Saw a very clean 89 22' Classic with this engine combo, I believe hp is 340? What should wot speed be? Is this a undesirable engine drive combo?

Moody Blu'
08-07-2001, 12:21 AM
I dont know jack about that drive, but I hate anything made by OMC, It seems a bit LARGE too maybe it weighs heavy?
here are the specs of that particular year(I have the catalog:
length: 22'8"
Beam: 7'0"
fuel capacity: 50 gallons
Draft to keel: 20"
draft to outdrive: 33"
approximate weight: 3300 Ibs
engine: 460 omc king cobra 340hp v-8

thats all I know.
I remember back in 89 I thought that package was sweet, because the drive looked really streamlined, But looks aint everything.THOUGH I never heard anything bad about that outdrive :rolleyes: but I never heard anything good.

hmm maybe you could switch it and throw a BLACK HAWK :eek: on the back :cool:


what color is this 22?

Dr. Dan
08-07-2001, 06:44 AM
Phil, I had a buddy who had this drive/engine combo, can't speeak for anyone else but his boat ran solid and very, very strong! He would walk by a 65mph deep vee my other friend was driving,sort of an ongoing contest,unless the water got over a 2'chop, his 22 Classic always took the flag. We purchased a '93 22 Classic also very clean boat with a 454 OMC King Cobra, we have put about 25 hours on it this season and have zero complaints,RickR also has experience with these drives,the shifting is solid and reliable, I'd buy another..., Good Luck...Doc :D

RedDog
08-07-2001, 07:03 AM
Phil - Genuine Trouble has the King Cobra - I like it a lot. Real smooth and seems strong. Can't compare itthough as this is my first stern drive.

Woodsy
08-07-2001, 07:27 AM
My last Donzi was an '89 18 Classic with the 350/270hp setup with a King Cobra drive. I have to say it was flawless and never gave me any trouble. I think the only concern with those drives was making sure the shift lever was adjusted properly. I did not have that problem with mine however. I would have no problem owning another one.

Dave

Philip47
08-07-2001, 07:47 AM
I was confused by the 460 designation and thought it may be a big block 460 Ford engine. I had read a post somewhere that that the 89 King Cobra was less desireable than than the 90, something to do with the "cone" type drive with the 89 haveing three cones and the 90 one, or something to that effect.
Thanks, Guys :cool:

RickR
08-07-2001, 11:12 AM
The change over was in 89. Some older style "King Cobra" have a transmission (too much weight) and some have the Dog type clutch (there were some shift cable problems with these.
Mid 89 they switched over to a Volvo type Cone clutch. This drive has a hump on top of the upper gear case. It is a excellent drive.
Has less gear lash than the Bravo. And has a oil circulating pump like the late model Bravos. The cone clutch King Cobra is rated at 650HP.
Since the drive has been discontinued, parts may be hard to find in the future.

My 18 (Reddog's Genuine Trouble) is a well built ride. I wish I still had her :(

The 460 is a good engine but High Performance parts are harder to find and more expensive that BBC.

WOT shoud be in the mid to upper 60s.

Philip47
08-07-2001, 12:10 PM
RickR are you saying the 22' 460 King Cobra is a BB Ford? or is it a OMC 454? I guess I'm still confused.

Thanks

Philip47
08-07-2001, 12:11 PM
If it is a OMC 454 does it have 4 bolt mains and a good crank? 340 HP?

RedDog
08-07-2001, 12:39 PM
The bigblock OMC you are looking at is most likely the Ford 460 – I think that was the typical big block configuration during the ’89 timeframe.

My 90 18 Classic is the GM 454, but it was not an OEM setup.

RickR
08-07-2001, 02:20 PM
Yep, reddog is correct.
OMC used Ford and GM engines thru 89 then switched over to GM only.

BigGrizzly
08-07-2001, 07:55 PM
That engine combo is a 460 Ford with a King cobra. It is a strong motor, Parts ar not hard to find. They even make adapters to use chevy exhayst manifolds. To get 500 hp out of that motor is a cake walk. It comes accross with a broad torque curve. I was looking for that combo before I found the Criterion,

Randy

Philip47
08-07-2001, 07:57 PM
Griz, any suggestions as to what mods/parts this motor likes?

Philip47
08-07-2001, 08:00 PM
any comments on price for a 89 22' 460 king cobra, with 165 hrs mint with quick and quiet exhaust added in 99, boat is super clean one owner, all books and records and original documents

Dr. Dan
08-07-2001, 09:41 PM
Phil, check out www.boats.com (http://www.boats.com) , may have some values for you, also I've seen clean 22's for $18 to $22k for 93 to 94's(some even included a trailer), so factor in the year and I would think you would be in the $15 to $20k range for one in very good & well maintained shape! If he's in the low $20's I would think that would be way high for that year regardless of condition, you could find a newer one that would be in the same range. In the end only you and a competent mechanic can make that value judgement. Good Luck and let us know how you make out....Doc :cool:

Bandit
08-08-2001, 04:56 PM
Philip, I'm running '89 twin Ford 460's w/ king cobra outdrives for the past couple years. They have been very reliable and I haven't had any problems yet!!!

BigGrizzly
08-08-2001, 10:02 PM
Put in a good cam from either Babe Erson, Isky, or Crane. and a good set of exhaustfron stainless nor CMI. If you goe another route your wasting money.

Randy

Philip47
08-09-2001, 06:15 PM
what compression are they stock? if you built a 460 with 9:4 comp, a marine roller cam, carb & intake, dove heads, and a MSD igintion would you make a honest 500 HP?

Does Ford racing or SVT sell a big block suited for a boat, that would probably be less expensive than building a motor

Philip47
08-09-2001, 06:35 PM
Ford Racing had two marine engines listed;
460 C.J. 486 H.P. part #M-6007-3460
469 C.J. 535 H.P. part #M-6007-B460
Wonder what kinda change ford askes for these babies, might not be too bad "crate engines" tend to be pretty affordable
:cool:

BigGrizzly
08-09-2001, 08:48 PM
What is it with you guys- and roller cams, the real reason the 454 and 502 use them is because they have an oiling problem with the lifters. unless your turning consistant high RPMs there not necessary. I twist my 351 Clevland to 5600 and it has flat tappits- no problem. If you use such agressive ramps to warrent rollers the engine won't idle below 1200. Don't get carried away, the 460 is a torque monster. Babe Erson had one with Ford stock big heads amd it would twist 6100 and idle and made 607 hp with a 850 Holley he drove to work in Ranchero. It got good milage too. So it can be done and not get too fancy.

Randy

BigGrizzly
08-09-2001, 08:50 PM
What is it with you guys- and roller cams, the real reason the 454 and 502 use them is because they have an oiling problem with the lifters. unless your turning consistant high RPMs there not necessary. I twist my 351 Clevland to 5600 and it has flat tappits- no problem. If you use such agressive ramps to warrent rollers the engine won't idle below 1200. Don't get carried away, the 460 is a torque monster. Babe Erson had one with Ford stock big heads amd it would twist 6100 and idle and made 607 hp with a 850 Holley he drove to work in Ranchero. It got good milage too. So it can be done and not get too fancy.
I just remembered that hot boat did an artical on that boat comgoand Stainles Marine hedders and piched up over 300 Rpms.

Randy

Philip47
08-09-2001, 10:02 PM
The ford crate motors I mentioned have flat tapitt cams.

Everything you said about roller cams is correct they were designed to counter act the wear typical of spring pressures associated with radical cams, not the type of lift and duration we would run in a boat.

The onlt reason I mentioned a marine roller was because if I were building a big $ motor and could afford a roller cam and rev kit I would, just to reduce valve train wear.

Though you would be spending money you didn't need to. I respect you knowledge and opionions and thank you for your help

Philip47
08-10-2001, 10:44 AM
The complete 486 HP 460 from Ford is $5,400
minus carb & exhaust

Bandit
08-10-2001, 11:56 AM
What type of drives will you use? Will OMC King Cobra's hold up?

Philip47
08-10-2001, 03:14 PM
Hi Bandit,
From what I understand the King Cobra drive is good for 650 hp, should be fine,the 486 hp engine will only take it to 75% of it's hp rating