OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

Can anyone tell me if the transom assembly from an OMC cobra and a volvo sx drive are equivalent. Does it matter what year the drives are from?
Thanks
`Dave

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

They are the same.
A new Volvo SX will bolt on to an older Cobra transom assy. You will need different trim set ups.

The Volvo will have a single piece shift cable that goes all the way to the drive, not a split trunion like a Cobra.

I can recommend Dubbert's Outdrive for this kind of swap.

Jim Dubbert can hook you up with what you need.

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

So a 1996 SX outdrive would fit onto a 1989 OMC cobra transom assembly? If so, what kind of work would i need to do with regard to the trim setup? I will have the cylinders from both drives and the pumps are the same. In addition, what would it take to change the shiftcable on the OMC cobra to the one from an SX?
THanks

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

As far as years go... a "late model" SX will fit on my 87 cobra transom assy. I don't think that they made more than one transom assy style. Not sure what you mean about the trim setup. You can use the same pump. You have to use the SX rams.

The Cobra has a two piece "split" shift cable. The new one for the SX (my guess is that you will have to buy a new cable to fit your boat) will bypass the trunion on the block that your cobra has. It is a direct one piece cable. It would be routed directly back and down into the transom assy and into the drive. (it would start at your control lever and go all the way back and out).
If you have morse type controls you will have to solve the issue of throttle. Not sure what that solution is. A volvo guy would know for sure.

If you have livorsi type controls it won't effect your throttle system. You can run the new cable direct without regard to throttle.

I would try to track down a guy who sells and services both types of drives like Dubberts to give you more details.

Good luck. I have considered making this same change, but I am selling the boat.

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

I really don't think this swap is possible. How would you anchor the cable to the bell housing. I think a 95 or 96 Cobra would be closer as this is when they joined together to make the SX drive.

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

it wont work if for no other reason the shifter set up is differnt!!

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

Maybe switch bell housing?

Not sure.

I would call Jim Dubbert at Dubberts outdrive. They come up in a google with a phone number. Port Clinton.
He explained it to me on the phone about a year ago. Can't remember everything that had to be changed. But he has done it. He was even willing to take my Cobras on trade against brand new Volvos.

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

Nope guys it won't work, I know that they use the same transom cut out but that is all. Ed :cool:

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

http://www.dubbertsoutdrive.com

Ask for Jim.

Tell him what you want to do. He will tell you what you need.
He does this kind of thing all day.

It was gonna cost me about 7 grand and my Cobras.
Didn't write down the list of things that needed to be changed.

Because the cutout is the same, it will work. The question is... how much stuff has to be swapped out. Obviously the shift issue has to be overcome.

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

I spoke to Jim. He said if it is a joint venture OMC cobra (1996 and newer) it will work. Otherwise it wont. Apparently the shifting is completely different.

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

If I wanted to get a new transom assembly for my SX drive about how much should I expect to pay? Also, who should i talk to about it? Where can I get the best deal?

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

Huh... This is good to know.
He must not have realized that mine was an 87 when he gave me a quote.

Sure that I told him....

Anyway... good to know.

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

I'm still a bit confused as to why the OMC cobra transom assembly wont work with my volvo penta sx drive. I thought that the shift cable ran straight through the transom assembly and into the drive. How would the transom assembly affect shifting? I'm obviously not that knowlegeable on the subject so I'll all the help I can get.

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

I have been thinking about this quite a bit David.

You know.... if the cutout is the same.... it is really just a matter of how many parts need to be swapped out.

For example... take one boat that has an OMC/chevy 260. Another boat that has a Volvo/chevy 260.

Theoretically if you remove everything that is different until you get down to say.... the BLOCK.... you could swap between boats. Lots of work... yes... but possible? Yes.

The hang up seems to be how much stuff can be used in either set up.

Obviously not exactly a bolt-on proposition.... but the boat doesn't know any different.

Maybe the hang up is on the "helmet" or exterior bell housing?

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

the major hang-up is the "helmet" if you look at a cobra the shifter is actually in the lower (old v-6 outboard technology) in the middle of the "helmet" there is a lever that moves up and down. on the joint venture/volvo penta system the shifting is done in the upper so there is a cable that goes through the drive to the rear where it links to the shift actuator thus moving the cone. there are mods that can be done. as fund has said we have done this hundreds of times changing the old cobras to sx or dp-s drives. we just cant explain how to do it. mostly for legal reasons, but partially because a magician never tells how he disappears. lastly your best bet would be to find a reputable volvo dealer to do this repair. trust me you will save in the long run. i have stories of guys that spend thousands to fix their own problem. only to come here in a last ditch effort to boat and the bill be less than a hundred dollars that and if a dealer does it you have someone to stand behind the repair if if something goes wrong. my 2 cents

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

Hey Outdrive man,
Can you reccomend anyone in central florida? I've havent had much luck finding anyone before.
Thanks
`Dave

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

Call M.m.i. In Orlando Ask For Craig Burns He Is The Volvo Dealer Instructor. He Should Know Of Some Reputable Folks That Can Help You

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

I'm thinking about just purchasing a new transom assembly for my 96 sx drive. What is an appropriate price? I'm able to do the installation on my own. Does anyone know where I might find a used one in good shape?

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

Is something wrong with your transom assy on your 191? I may have a source for a used assy and I'm sure he could get you a good price on a new.

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

That explains it... the joint venture is easier but the older mod can be done.

I hardly know the guys... but Dubberts rules. Port Clinton is lucky to have a resource like them.

They have saved my butt about three times with different boats.

Once I bent a shift shaft on an Alpha and had a buyer coming in a few days. I took the drive off and ran it to Dubberts. They called me the next morning and said "come get your drive." They had taken it apart, fixed it, put it back together, and filled it with new drive oil.
In less than 48 hours the boat was back to normal and it only cost me about a hundred bucks. The sale went on as planned and the new owner was happy.
So you can see why I am a Dubberts fan. :D

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

Its corroded a bit more than I'm ok with. Its useable but since I'm repowering I want everything to be perfect. If you could message me with the info on who to contact that would be great.

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

a new one fro m volvo costs 493.58 the volvo part number is 3857979 i can sel it for 419.50 i have them in stock my number is 1-419-732-1777

Re: OMC cobra vs Volvo Sx transom assembly
 

is that the entire assembly or just the housing? If just the housing how much is the whole thing?