King Cobra Engines in Chris Crafts
 

I'm seeing some 312 and 375 Stingers with the King Cobra 460 engines. I assume these are Ford engines.

What's the general consensus on these?
Are parts difficult to find?
Are they a true marine engine?
How about getting more power out of them?

Thanks,
John

King Cobra drives are stronger than Bravo or TRS. Drew backlund (Drews Marine) makes a 540 out of a 460, kit using 71 72 stock heads that pushes 600hp for $2800 + machine work

So, the King Cobra "system" is a Ford big-block 460 and also has its own drive?
If it's stronger than a TRS and Bravo, does it suck a lot of hp?

What top speed will a stock 1987 312 Stinger do with King Cobra 460's?

- John

No, a King Cobra is a drive only made by OMC designed by a Merc guy. It handles 600 hp and sucks up as much hp as a TRS. Most where mated to BB fords, some where mated to BB chevs like mine.

king cobra bad..... built tough if done right but very very hard to get it done right. i had one and it was a nightmare.

If everything is stock you should be alright. Mine has been very dependable to this year. Had some lower unit issues this year, very very very very very hard to find parts for.

King cobra drives. early ones, like say an 87 are a piece of crap. They use a shifting lower unit from a 300hp outboard. Pure junk. I broke 13 drives in 129 hrs behind a 460 / 340hp package in 88 and 89. Dam factory had the boat more in the two years I owned it than I did. Later KC drives are cone clutch like a bravo / volvo and were better but finding parts is getting tough. They have been out of production for a long time now.

Can,t get parts and try to sell a boat with them on it good luck. I think the transom hole is the same as a bravo. If you buy it right convert it over and sell that omc junk.

Keytime,
Enough concensus yet?

Yeah! I gotta get me a set of those!! :grinser010:

Didnt quit understand your last post? But 88, 89, and 90 were transition years, if you get a KC around 92 or later the parts are still availiable and the drives are much stronger,Volvo Penta style. Vovo SX would be the perfered path to take if the cash is on hand.

Thanks for the info.

I have old Fords in the form of Broncos. Nothing more beautiful than a big Ford ('7?-'79') with a big block! And I'm really not a redneck! :evilb:

Transom is same as Volvo. Not bravo.
The easist conversion is a Volvo Dpx.
Same bolt holes and transom assy.

Parts are not so bad. Maybe it depends where you live.
Try Dubberts Outdrive in port clinton Ohio.

Had no problem with two cobras on the stinger. Never failed. Tons of drive fluid so they run cool without showers.

Last I checked Evinrude Johnson was making OMC parts, but it has been a little while since the first guy who looked at my boat bought it, so I haven't checked in a while.